Why does the Lord say to the nations, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock”?

The next passage (Jeremiah 31:10–14) is marked off from the previous passage as a new oracle with the opening words, Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away. This word is not just spoken to the nations, but they must declare it also to the coastlands far away which is a reference to nations such as Assyria and Babylon that have conquered the Lord’s people. Even though this message is not directed at Israel it is still a message for Israel. It continues the theme of Jeremiah 31:7–9 which spoke of the Lord brining his people back to the land. The message to these conquering nations is, He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock. The nations must know that it is the Lord who sent his people into exile and it is the Lord who will now set them free from their oppressors. He will gather them again and protect them as a shepherd protects his sheep. Part of the humiliation of exile is that the nations mocked Israel as a nation who had no one to care for her (see Jeremiah 30:17). But the Lord will now show himself as the Good Shepherd who does and has always cared for his people (see Psalm 23:2–3), by bringing them out of exile.¹ The Lord had sent his people into exile because of their failure to be faithful to his covenant, but now that his judgment has fulfilled its purpose he will bring them back.