God's response to His new creation: "And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people." The mutual joy is profound—God rejoices in His people, and they in Him. The Hebrew gil (rejoice) and sus (joy) show God's delight in His work. Then comes the glorious promise: "and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying." The Hebrew bechi (weeping) and za'aqah (crying/outcry) encompass all sorrow. This directly parallels Revelation 21:4: "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying." From a Reformed perspective, this reveals God's ultimate purpose: His own joy in His people and their complete freedom from all suffering. The final state is characterized not just by absence of negative (no weeping) but presence of positive (mutual joy). God's delight in His redeemed people—the joy He has over them (Zephaniah 3:17)—consummates in eternal fellowship unmarred by any sorrow or pain.
Historical Context
The exile brought overwhelming weeping—Psalm 137:1, "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept." Even after return, sorrow persisted due to diminished circumstances (Ezra 3:12, Nehemiah 1:4). Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) and His people continue experiencing sorrow in this age (John 16:20-22). However, He promised their sorrow would turn to joy. Complete fulfillment awaits the consummated kingdom where God personally removes all tears and sources of sorrow (Revelation 7:17, 21:4). The transition from weeping to joy parallels believers' experience—present suffering preparing eternal glory (Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17).
Questions for Reflection
How does God's rejoicing in His people shape our understanding of our value and purpose?
What comfort does the promise of no more weeping provide in present sorrow?
How should anticipation of God wiping away all tears shape our response to current suffering?
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Analysis & Commentary
God's response to His new creation: "And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people." The mutual joy is profound—God rejoices in His people, and they in Him. The Hebrew gil (rejoice) and sus (joy) show God's delight in His work. Then comes the glorious promise: "and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying." The Hebrew bechi (weeping) and za'aqah (crying/outcry) encompass all sorrow. This directly parallels Revelation 21:4: "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying." From a Reformed perspective, this reveals God's ultimate purpose: His own joy in His people and their complete freedom from all suffering. The final state is characterized not just by absence of negative (no weeping) but presence of positive (mutual joy). God's delight in His redeemed people—the joy He has over them (Zephaniah 3:17)—consummates in eternal fellowship unmarred by any sorrow or pain.