Mourning Turned to Joy

(Matthew 2:16–18)

31 “At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people.”

2 This is what the LORD says: “The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness when Israel went to find rest.”

3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, [saying]:[fn] “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.

4 Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out in joyful dancing.

5 Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant and enjoy the fruit.

6 For there will be a day when watchmen will call out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Arise, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God!’ ”

7 For this is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations! Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’

8 Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly!

9 They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn

10 Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd [keeps] his flock.

11 For the LORD has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the hand that had overpowered him.

12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish.

13 Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow.

14 I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly, and will fill My people with My goodness,” declares the LORD.

15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children [and] refusing to be comforted because they are no more.”[fn]

16 This is what the LORD says: “Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for the reward for your work will come, declares the LORD. Then [your children] will return from the land of the enemy.

17 So there is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children will return to their own land.

18 I have surely heard Ephraim’s[fn] moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You [are] the LORD my God.

19 After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck [my thigh] in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

20 Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him Therefore My heart yearns for him;[fn] I have great compassion for him declares the LORD.

21 “Set up the road markers, put up the signposts. Keep the highway in mind the road you have traveled. Return, O Virgin Israel, return to these cities of yours.

22 How long will you wander, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the land—a woman will shelter[fn] a man.”

23 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “When I restore them from captivity,[fn] they will once again speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities: ‘May the LORD bless you, O righteous dwelling place, O holy mountain.’ 24 And Judah and all its cities will dwell together in [the land], the farmers and those who move with the flocks, 25 for I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.”