John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 31:26

"Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me." — Jeremiah 31:26 (ASV)

Here the Prophet comes forth, and by his own example encourages the faithful to be confident, even to rely on God’s promise, as though they already enjoyed what was still hidden from them; indeed, as has been said, it was incredible. He then says that he awoke and saw. This metaphor should be applied to a feeling contrary to that by which the Prophet had been, as it were, stunned.

For though the Jews were not yet led into exile, yet the ten tribes were in that miserable bondage; their kingdom had fallen and perished, and final ruin was near the kingdom of Judah. While the Prophet was considering these dreadful acts of God’s vengeance, he was, as it were, overwhelmed with sleep.

He now says that he awoke. As in darkness people lose the clarity of their minds, and sleep also prevails, so that they cannot distinguish between black and white; so also the Prophet confesses that he was for a time, as it were, lifeless. He then says that he awoke; that is, when God’s favor shone forth — not by its own effect, but in this prophecy.

We then see that he knew, as through a mirror, what was still far distant, for the term of seventy years had not yet begun. But faith, as is well known, is the seeing of hidden things and the substance of absent things; for unless the word of God secures this assurance in our hearts, we betray our unbelief. The Prophet gave a proof of his faith, for he fully acknowledged that all that God had predicted, though far distant, would yet be accomplished in due time. We now understand why he says that he awoke.

And he adds, And my sleep was pleasant to me. After having said that he saw the work of God, which still could not be seen by the human eye, he now adds that his sleep had been pleasant to him, even though he had been sorrowful and full of fear, for the best relief for all sorrow is hope.

But we have said that the sorrow by which the Prophet’s mind had been for a time overwhelmed is compared to a sleep. He now adds—