Read & explore together
God Will Restore Israel
Jeremiah 16:14–21 holds together future restoration, present judgement, and the exposure of false worship. Yahweh promises a coming return to the land, yet he also says sin is fully seen and will be repaid before that restoration is remembered.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh contrasts an older saving memory with a future one centred on bringing Israel back from the north and from other countries. He then explains that people cannot hide from his sight, that their sin has polluted his land, and that nations will finally admit the emptiness of what they inherited.
Jeremiah 16:14–21Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh sees sin plainly, judges it justly, restores his people, and makes his name known.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A new saying about Yahweh’s rescueYahweh says a time is coming when people will no longer use the familiar saying about him bringing Israel out of Egypt.
Explanation
Yahweh says a time is coming when people will no longer use the familiar saying about him bringing Israel out of Egypt. Instead, they will speak of Yahweh bringing Israel back from the land of the north and from all the countries where they had been driven. The emphasis stays on Yahweh as the one who brings them again into their land.
02No one is hidden from Yahweh’s sightYahweh says he will send many fishermen and then many hunters, who will find the people from mountains, hills, and rock clefts.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will send many fishermen and then many hunters, who will find the people from mountains, hills, and rock clefts. The next verse explains this image. Yahweh’s eyes are on all their ways, and their iniquity is neither hidden nor concealed from him.
03Sin is repaid because the land was pollutedThe passage says, “First I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double.” It also gives the reason: they polluted Yahweh’s land and filled his inheritance with detestable things and abominations.
Explanation
The passage says, “First I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double.” It also gives the reason: they polluted Yahweh’s land and filled his inheritance with detestable things and abominations. The judgement is therefore tied to guilt named in the text itself.
04The nations confess lies and learn Yahweh’s nameThe passage addresses Yahweh as strength, stronghold, and refuge in the day of affliction.
Explanation
The passage addresses Yahweh as strength, stronghold, and refuge in the day of affliction. Then the nations come from the ends of the earth and admit that their fathers inherited lies, vanity, and profitless things. The closing words ask whether handmade gods are really gods and say Yahweh will make his hand, might, and name known.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What change in public speech does Yahweh announce in verses 14–15?
Compare the saying that will be said no more with the saying that will be spoken instead, and notice which rescue is emphasised.
02How do verses 16–17 connect the images of fishermen and hunters with Yahweh’s knowledge?
Stay close to the wording: the people are found in many places because their ways and iniquity are not hidden from Yahweh.
03What do the nations finally admit, and what does Yahweh say they will come to know?
Read the nations’ confession about inherited lies and the closing statement about Yahweh’s hand, might, and name.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 16:14–21
14“Therefore behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that it will no more be said, ‘As Yahweh lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;’
15but, ‘As Yahweh lives, who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the countries where he had driven them.’ I will bring them again into their land that I gave to their fathers.
16“Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says Yahweh, “and they will fish them up. Afterward I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain, from every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks.
17For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from my face. Their iniquity isn’t concealed from my eyes.
18First I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable things, and have filled my inheritance with their abominations.”
19Yahweh, my strength, my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the nations will come to you from the ends of the earth, and will say, “Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, vanity and things in which there is no profit.
20Should a man make to himself gods which yet are no gods?”
21“Therefore behold, I will cause them to know, this once I will cause them to know my hand and my might. Then they will know that my name is Yahweh.”