The next two verses (Jeremiah 30:10–11) seem to have been placed here as a response to the panic and terror expressed in Jeremiah 30:5–7. The Lord calls on his people not to fear, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity.
The language used here is very similar to the language Isaiah uses in passages such asIsaiah 41:8–10; Isaiah 43:1–6;Isaiah 44:2–5 just after northern Israel had been taken into exile by the Assyrian invasion. As in Isaiah, by referring to O Jacob my servant
and O Israel,
the Lord is speaking these words to the whole of his covenant people. These words of comfort are spoken primarily to all those who already, or will soon, find themselves in exile, whether it be due to the Assyrian invasion of 722 BC, the Babylonian invasion of 605 BC or 597 BC or the coming invasion of 587 BC. Despite having to endure the suffering and hardship of exile, the Lord wants his people to know that he has not forgotten or abandoned them. The implication is that there is a faithful remnant in exile that can call themselves the Lord’s servants,
and even though they were not spared the horror of exile, the Lord is committed to restoring those who trust in him as their covenant God.1
The fact that the Lord will save them from far away
speaks not only of being far from the land physically, but it also speaks of being alienated from the Lord spiritually. But this will not stop the Lord from saving his faithful servants. This salvation will also be for their "offspring,” which suggests that it still lies in the future.2 This probably refers to the longer than expected exile that Jeremiah has spoken of as opposed to the message of the false prophets.
When the Lord saves his people from exile and returns them to the land they will have quiet and ease, and none shall make him (Jacob) afraid.
The terror and panic of Jeremiah 30:5–7 is replaced with a lasting peace and ease. This implies an everlasting rest in the land with no threat from any enemy ever again. This too is a Messianic promise that is ultimately fulfilled through the kingdom that is established by Jesus.
10 Et toi, mon serviteur Jacob, ne crains pas, dit l'Eternel; Ne t'effraie pas, Israël! Car je te délivrerai de la terre lointaine, Je délivrerai ta postérité du pays où elle est captive; Jacob reviendra, il jouira du repos et de la tranquillité, Et il n'y aura personne pour le troubler.