The next oracle (Jeremiah 31:7–9) is introduced with the words, thus says the Lord,
and is linked to the previous oracle (Jeremiah 31:2–6) with the word for.
The previous oracle spoke of the Lord once again establishing Israel in the land and so the next one and the one in Jeremiah 31:10–14 mainly describe how the Lord will bring his people back1.
The Lord instructs his people to sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of nations.
Referring to the nation as Jacob
is a reminder that they were once a united nation of twelve tribes and points to the Lord’s promise to restore this unity.
Calling them the chief of nations
refers to the status the Lord gave Israel as his chosen covenant people (Exodus 19:4–6; Deuteronomy 26:19). This does not necessarily imply any sort of political dominance but rather speaks of the special place Israel has in the Lord’s plan to restore his blessings to the whole world. That place has been obscured by the exile, but now they can give thanks as the Lord restores them to that place2.
7 For thus says the LORD: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’