Jeremiah 31:2
Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מָצָ֥א
found
H4672
מָצָ֥א
found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
חֵן֙
grace
H2580
חֵן֙
grace
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
5 of 12
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
6 of 12
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
עַ֖ם
The people
H5971
עַ֖ם
The people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
H2719
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
9 of 12
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
הָל֥וֹךְ
when I went
H1980
הָל֥וֹךְ
when I went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 95:11Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.Numbers 10:33And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Deuteronomy 1:33Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
Historical Context
The parallel to the Exodus was deliberate. Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt through Moses, He would deliver the remnant from Babylon. But the new exodus would surpass the old (23:7-8). The return under Cyrus was partial fulfillment, but the ultimate new exodus came through Christ, who led His people out of slavery to sin and death into the freedom and rest of the kingdom of God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Exodus pattern (deliverance-wilderness-rest) help us understand Christian salvation and the Christian life?
- What does it mean to 'find grace' in the wilderness seasons of life—times of transition, difficulty, and uncertainty?
- In what ways is Christ the fulfillment of the Exodus pattern, leading His people to ultimate rest?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse evokes the Exodus, when Israel escaped Pharaoh's sword and found grace in the wilderness at Sinai. The remnant that survives Babylon's sword will experience a new exodus, finding grace in their own wilderness journey. The phrase 'even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest' points to the Promised Land, the place of rest God gave His people after wilderness wandering (Deuteronomy 12:9-10; Joshua 21:44).
The theological point is that God's redemptive pattern repeats: salvation from judgment (escaped the sword), grace in the wilderness (sustained during transition), and rest in the promised inheritance (secure dwelling with God). This pattern applies to the Exodus, the return from Babylon, and ultimately to Christian salvation. Believers have escaped God's wrath through Christ (the sword of judgment), are sustained by grace through this wilderness life, and await final rest in the new creation (Hebrews 4:9-11).
The phrase 'found grace' emphasizes that God's favor is discovered, not earned. The remnant does not deserve restoration—they are recipients of judgment, survivors only by grace. This establishes that all God's saving work flows from His unmerited favor, not human merit. Paul's doctrine of justification by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) has deep Old Testament roots in passages like this.