Charles Spurgeon Commentary Jeremiah 31:1

"At that time, saith Jehovah, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people." — Jeremiah 31:1 (ASV)

At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

During the Israelites' banishment to Babylon, God's covenant with them had been, so to speak, in abeyance. But in this promise of their restoration, he brings it to the front again, and he gives a particularly gracious turn to it: I will be the God of all the families of Israel. What a mercy it is to have a family God, and to have our whole family in Christ! Brothers, you have a family Bible, and you have, I hope, a family altar; may your whole family belong to God!

At the same time, says the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

How divinely he talks—as only God can talk. These people had rejected him, yet he says, They shall be my people, not only some of them, but all of them: I will be the God of all the families of Israel.

Behold the wonderful power of divine grace upon the hearts of rebellious sinners. There are no "ifs" and no "buts" here; it is I will and they shall. God knows how to work out his own purposes of love and mercy.