Bible Commentaries

Following the story of the purchase of the field in Anathoth, with its signification, is a song of the ultimate restoration therein foretold.

The song first celebrates the restoration of the people and the cities. This is described in its moral and material aspects, and in that order. The people are to be cleansed from their iniquity, and the city is to become "a name of joy" to Jehovah in the consciousness of all the peoples of the earth. The moral restoration will be manifested in a material one. The place, waste and desolate and without inhabitant, will again become the center of family life, and of joy and of prosperity. The establishment of the restored order is to be associated with the coming of One who is described as the "Branch of righteousness." In His Person the two offices of King and Priest are to be united, and the result of His administration will be that Judah shall be saved and Jerusalem dwell safely.

Again the promise is confirmed by, the solemn affirmation of Jehovah that if men can break His Covenant of day and night, then also may His covenant with David and with the priests he broken. The promise is not only sure but gracious, and as the host of heaven cannot be numbered so will the seed of His servant be multiplied. Jehovah declares Himself to be conscious of the murmuring and unbelief of the people which finds expression in their declaration that Jehovah has cast off the kingly and priestly families. He declares again that in spite of such unbelief, His Covenant with His ancient servants is as sure as day and night.