Jeremiah 31:22
How long will you wander, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the land--a woman will shelter a man."
How long will you wander
This phrase addresses the persistent waywardness of Israel, often depicted as a wayward or unfaithful daughter. The Hebrew root for "wander" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which means to turn back or return. This implies a call to repentance and a return to God. Historically, Israel's wandering can be seen in their repeated cycles of disobedience and exile. The question "How long" suggests God's patience and desire for His people to return to Him, emphasizing His enduring love and mercy.

O faithless daughter
The term "faithless" comes from the Hebrew "מְשׁוֹבֵבָה" (meshovevah), which conveys a sense of backsliding or apostasy. The "daughter" here symbolizes the nation of Israel, often portrayed in Scripture as God's chosen but rebellious child. This imagery highlights the intimate relationship God desires with His people, akin to a father-daughter relationship, and the pain of their unfaithfulness.

For the LORD has created
The use of "created" (Hebrew "בָּרָא" - bara) is significant, as it is the same word used in Genesis 1:1 for God's creation of the world. This indicates a divine act of bringing something entirely new into existence. It underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to transform and renew, offering hope for a fresh start for His people.

a new thing in the land
The "new thing" (Hebrew "חָדָשׁ" - chadash) suggests an unprecedented event or transformation. In the context of Jeremiah, this could refer to the restoration and renewal of Israel after exile. Theologically, it points to the new covenant God promises, which is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. This "new thing" is a source of hope and renewal, emphasizing God's redemptive plan.

a woman will shelter a man
This phrase has been the subject of much interpretation. The Hebrew word for "shelter" (סָבַב - sabab) means to encompass or protect. Traditionally, men were seen as protectors, so this reversal of roles signifies a radical change. Some conservative interpretations see this as a prophetic reference to the Virgin Mary and the birth of Christ, where a woman (Mary) encompasses a man (Jesus), highlighting the miraculous and redemptive work of God. This imagery underscores the theme of God's unexpected and transformative actions in history.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.

2. Faithless Daughter
Symbolically represents the nation of Israel, often depicted as unfaithful to God through idolatry and disobedience.

3. The LORD
Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is both just and merciful.

4. A New Thing
This phrase indicates a divine intervention or a miraculous event that God will bring about.

5. The Land
Refers to the land of Israel, the geographical and spiritual center of God's covenant with His people.
Teaching Points
God's Call to Repentance
The question "How long will you wander, O faithless daughter?" is a call for self-examination and repentance. It challenges us to consider areas in our lives where we may be straying from God's path.

Divine Innovation
The phrase "a new thing" reminds us that God is always at work, often in unexpected ways. We should remain open to His guidance and be willing to embrace change that aligns with His will.

Role of Women in God's Plan
The statement "a woman will shelter a man" highlights the significant role women play in God's redemptive history. It encourages us to value and support the contributions of women in the church and society.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Understanding that God is in control and can create new paths and solutions in our lives should lead us to trust Him more deeply, even when circumstances seem uncertain.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the term "faithless daughter" reveal about Israel's relationship with God, and how can we apply this understanding to our personal walk with God?

2. How does the concept of God doing a "new thing" challenge us to rethink our expectations of how God works in our lives today?

3. In what ways can we see the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:22 in the New Testament, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ?

4. How can we, as a church community, better support and recognize the roles of women in fulfilling God's purposes?

5. Reflect on a time when God did something new in your life. How did it change your perspective on His sovereignty and faithfulness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 43:19
This verse also speaks of God doing a "new thing," emphasizing His power to bring about change and renewal.

Hosea 2:19-20
Illustrates God's desire to restore and renew His covenant relationship with Israel, similar to the theme of a new creation.

Luke 1:34-35
The miraculous conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary can be seen as a fulfillment of God doing a "new thing" in the land.

Galatians 4:4-5
Discusses the coming of Christ, born of a woman, to redeem those under the law, connecting to the theme of divine intervention through a woman.
To the PenitentG. Brooks.
People
Gareb, Jacob, Jeremiah, Rachel, Rahel
Places
Corner Gate, Egypt, Gareb, Goah, Horse Gate, Kidron, Ramah, Samaria, Tower of Hananel, Zion
Topics
Backsliding, Changed, Compass, Court, Coyly, Create, Created, Daughter, Encompass, Faithless, Hither, O, Prepared, Protects, Surround, Thither, Thyself, Till, Turn, Turning, Unfaithful, Wander, Wandering, Waver, Wilt, Withdraw
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 31:22

     8705   apostasy, in OT

Jeremiah 31:21-22

     5674   daughters

Jeremiah 31:21-23

     5740   virgin

Library
What the Stable Creation Teaches
'If those ordinances depart from before Me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me for ever.'--JER. xxxi. 36. This is the seal of the new covenant, which is to be made in days future to the prophet and his contemporaries, with the house of Israel and of Judah. That new covenant is referred to in Hebrews as the fundamental law of Christ's kingdom. Therefore we have the right to take to ourselves the promises which it contains, and to think of 'the house
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

What the Immense Creation Teaches
'If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.'--JER. xxxi. 37. In the former sermon we considered the previous verse as presenting the stability of creation as a guarantee of the firmness of God's gracious covenant. Now we have to consider these grand closing words which bring before us another aspect of the universe as a guarantee for another side of God's gracious
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

August the Twenty-First Satisfaction
"My people shall be satisfied with My goodness." --JEREMIAH xxxi. 10-14. And how unlike is all this to the feasts of the world! There is a great show, but no satisfaction. There is much decorative china, but no nutritious food or drink. "Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again." We rise from the table, and our deepest cravings are unappeased. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" We know. We have had a condiment, but no meat; a showy menu-card, but no reviving feast. Nothing but
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

God in the Covenant
But I have been thinking for the last two or three days, that the covenant of grace excels the other covenant most marvelously in the mighty blessings which it confers. What does the covenant of grace convey? I had thought this morning of preaching a sermon upon "The covenant of grace; what are the blessings it gives to God's children?" But when I began to think of it, there was so much in the covenant, that if I had only read a catalogue of the great and glorious blessings, wrapped up within its
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Two Covenants: their Relation
"It is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondmaid, and one by the freewoman. Howbeit, the one by the bondmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise. Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants." -GAL. iv. 22-24. THERE are two covenants, one called the Old, the other the New. God speaks of this very distinctly in Jeremiah, where He says: "The days come, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, not after the
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

The New Covenant
"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."--JER. xxxi. 33, 34. ISAIAH has often been called
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Conversion of all that Come.
"Turn Thou me and I shall be turned." --Jer. xxxi. 18. The elect, born again and effectually called, converts himself. To remain unconverted is impossible; but he inclines his ear, he turns his face to the blessed God, he is converted in the fullest sense of the word. In conversion the fact of cooperation on the part of the saved sinner assumes a clearly defined and perceptible character. In regeneration there was none; in the calling there was a beginning of it; in conversion proper it became a
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Old Things are Passed Away.

John Newton—Olney Hymns

Whether the Active Life Remains after this Life?
Objection 1: It would seem that the active life remains after this life. For the acts of the moral virtues belong to the active life, as stated above [3738](A[1]). But the moral virtues endure after this life according to Augustine (De Trin. xiv, 9). Therefore the active life remains after this life. Objection 2: Further, teaching others belongs to the active life, as stated above [3739](A[3]). But in the life to come when "we shall be like the angels," teaching will be possible: even as apparently
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Waiting Faith Rewarded and Strengthened by New Revelations
'And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect. And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel. 4. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Perseverance in Holiness
May the King himself come near and feast his saints to-day! May the Comforter who convinced of sin now come to cheer us with the promise! We noticed concerning the fig tree, that it was confirmed in its barrenness: it had borne no fruit, though it made large professions of doing so, and it was made to abide as it was. Let us consider another form of confirmation: not the curse of continuance in the rooted habit of evil; but the blessing of perseverance in a settled way of grace. May the Lord show
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
THE question as to the Rabbinic views in regard to the binding character of the Law, and its imposition on the Gentiles, in Messianic times, although, strictly speaking, not forming part of this history, is of such vital importance in connection with recent controversies as to demand special consideration. In the text to which this Appendix refers it has been indicated, that a new legislation was expected in Messianic days. The ultimate basis of this expectancy must be sought in the Old Testament
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Conversion --Varied Phenomena or Experience.
We have spoken of the meaning of this term, inquired into the nature of the change, and noted its essential elements. We have also learned that there are some who do not need it because they are in a converted state, and that all who are not in such a state of Grace, do need conversion, regardless of anything that may or may not have taken place in the past. We inquire now as to the agencies or means by which this change is brought about. For it is a change which man can certainly not effect by his
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The King in Exile
'And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. 14. When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15. And was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. "
1 John ii. 1.--"We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." There is no settlement to the spirit of a sinner that is once touched with the sense of his sins, and apprehension of the justice and wrath of God, but in some clear and distinct understanding of the grounds of consolation in the gospel, and the method of salvation revealed in it. There is no solid peace giving answer to the challenges of the law and thy own conscience, but in the advocation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers.
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Lord's Supper Instituted.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 26-29; ^B Mark XIV. 22-25; ^C Luke XXII. 19, 20; ^F I. Cor. XI. 23-26. ^a 26 And as they were eating, ^f the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; 24 and when he had given thanks, { ^b blessed,} ^f he brake it, ^a and he gave to the disciples, and said, ^b Take ye: ^a Take, eat; this is my body. ^f which is ^c given ^f for you: this do in remembrance of me. [As only unleavened bread was eaten during the paschal supper,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The First Covenant
"Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice, and keep My covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me."--EX. xix. 5. "He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments."--DEUT. iv. 13.i "If ye keep these judgments, the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant,"--DEUT. vii. 12. "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, which My covenant they brake."--JER. xxxi. 31, 32. WE have
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

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