John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 31:24

"And Judah and all the cities thereof shall dwell therein together, the husbandmen, and they that go about with flocks." — Jeremiah 31:24 (ASV)

He proceeds with the same subject but sets forth the effect of that favor he had spoken of; for, he says, the Jews shall dwell again in the land; that is, they shall rest there and have a quiet habitation. He adds cities, only to amplify God's favor regarding the number and multitude of people, as if he had said that not just a few would return, but a vast number of people, sufficient to fill their cities.

Now this was to exceed everyone's hope, for when they saw the cities deserted and the land almost empty, who would have thought that they would again be filled with people? But the Prophet confirms this by saying, Dwell there shall Judah and all his cities; and he adds, husbandmen. He extends God’s favor to the country and the villages, as if he had said that the land would be filled with inhabitants, not only in the fortified towns but also in the fields.

It often happens that cities are inhabited when there is any fear or danger from enemies, for those who dwell in cities have walls for their defense, mounds, and other means of safety. If the Prophet had then spoken only of cities, he would not have sufficiently set forth God's favor. Therefore, he adds husbandmen, as if he had said that dwelling in the land would be safe, even though there were no gates, no walls, no defenses, for husbandmen would rest secure in their cottages as if enclosed within walls. So now we understand what the Prophet means.

Some interpret this as, “Husbandmen, and those who go out with the flock,” as if the Prophet made a distinction between husbandmen and shepherds. But this seems unsuitable to me, for I have no doubt that he means that husbandmen with their flocks and herds would be secure, having no fear of enemy raids, but living in the land under God's care and protection, without fearing anything harmful or hostile to them.

The meaning is that the restoration of the Church would be such that its state would not be worse than in previous ages, and that it would be in a peaceful and quiet condition, so that the inhabitants of the villages and country places would not be less secure than those in cities.

Now, if anyone asks when this was fulfilled, we must remember what has been said elsewhere—that the Prophets, when speaking of the Church's restoration, included the whole kingdom of Christ from the beginning to the end. And in this, our theologians go astray, so that by limiting these promises to a particular time, they are forced to resort to allegories; and thus they distort, and even pervert, all the prophecies.

But the Prophets, as has been said, include the whole progress of Christ’s kingdom when they speak of the future redemption of the people. The people began to prosper when they returned to their own country, but soon after, distresses came, as Daniel had predicted. It was, therefore, necessary for them to look for the coming of Christ. We now taste these benefits of God as long as we are in the world. Thus, we see that these prophecies are not accomplished in one day, or in one year, no, not even in a single age, but should be understood as referring to the beginning and the end of Christ’s kingdom.