John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 30:20

"Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me; and I will punish all that oppress them." — Jeremiah 30:20 (ASV)

This abundance of words which the Prophet uses is by no means useless. We should always remember how severe their temptations were when no sign of God’s favor appeared for seventy years. It was therefore necessary to sustain minds overwhelmed with evils by many supports, so that they might not completely faint. He adds promises to promises, so that the Jews might see, as it were, a spark of light from the deep abyss.

From this, we can also gather a useful admonition: Though the Lord may favor us today, so that we are not experiencing very severe trials, yet everyone knows by their own experience how prone we are to despair. And then, when we once begin to faint, how difficult it is to be raised up to the confidence of hope. Let us then learn to join promises to promises, so that if one will not be enough, another may.

He now says that their children would be as from the beginning. Some offer this refined explanation: that the children of the Church would be as from the beginning, that is, before the Law. For the covenant of grace was made by God with Abraham before the Law was proclaimed. They therefore think that the abrogation of the Law is indicated here, as though he had said that the Church would be free when Christ came, and that the servile yoke of the Law would then be removed.

But I cannot approve this kind of refinement, for I do not think that such a notion ever entered the Prophet's mind. Therefore, I have no doubt that the reference here is to the kingdom of David, as though the Prophet had said that the state of the Church would be no less prosperous and happy under Christ than it was previously under David.

If anyone were to object and say that Christ’s kingdom is much happier than that of David, this I grant. But the prophets always compare the kingdom of Christ with the kingdom of David, and they were content with this way of teaching, as it exceeded the hope of the people; for the Jews did not think it believable that they could ever regain their ancient renown. When, therefore, he says here that the children of Judah would be as at the beginning, I have no doubt that he was referring to that promise, which declares that the seed of David would be for ever on his throne, as long as the sun and moon shone in the heavens (Psalms 89:37).

The meaning is that, though the kingdom would become extinct through a dreadful ruin, together with all its dignity, the Jews would yet, through Christ, recover what they had lost through their sins, ingratitude, and perverseness.

He afterwards adds, His seed shall be established before my face, and I will visit all his oppressors. Here again, God confirms the promise concerning the perpetuity of his Church. He therefore says that the assembly of the people would be established before him, by which words he urges the Jews to look upwards, for in the world, nothing was to be found but despair. God then calls the attention of the Jews to himself, when he says that the Church would be established before his face.

And as the power of enemies was so great that the faithful might justly object and say that every path to God’s favor was blocked, he adds that God, on the other hand, had sufficient power to destroy and reduce to nothing all their enemies. He mentions all because the Chaldean monarchy was widely extended and consisted of many nations, and there was no part of it which was not extremely hostile to the Jews.

Since, then, the miserable exiles saw that not only the Chaldeans were hostile to them, but also other nations, so that they were hated by almost the whole world, God here comes to their aid and declares that he had power enough to destroy all their enemies.

A useful doctrine may be deduced from this: The Church was perpetual in such a manner that its condition was still variable, for it often seemed good to God to interrupt the course of his favor before the coming of Christ. What happened then, we may apply to our own time.

Since, then, the Prophet says here that the children of the Church would be as at the beginning, we need not wonder when the Church happens at any time to be scattered, as indeed was the case under the Papacy. For the Church was not only dead but also buried; it was not only like a putrid carcass, but like dust, it had completely vanished. For what remnants could have been found fifty years ago?

We therefore see that what happened under the Law has also taken place under the kingdom of Christ, for the Church has sometimes been overwhelmed with troubles and has been hidden without any glory or beauty. But, in the meantime, we embrace this promise: that the children of the godly shall be as previously. For as the kingdom of Christ flourished in previous times, so we ought to be assured that there is sufficient power in God to restore to the Church its glory, so that Christ’s kingdom may again rise up, and all God’s blessings shine forth in it.

But as many enemies surround the Church on every side, and the Devil always incites turmoil and disturbances everywhere, let us know that another clause is added: that God will be the defender of his people. So, however much the whole world may attempt to trample his favor underfoot, he will still not allow them to accomplish their fury. For he has the power not only to restrain their assaults but also to completely destroy them and obliterate their memory; for this is what is implied in the word visiting.