1531) When I read verses like Jeremiah 31:2, I have a hard time understanding it. Here, Jeremiah reminds us that Israel survived the sword and were blessed in the wilderness. I think this is referring to Israel’s time wandering in the desert before going into the promised land. Even if I’m wrong about this notion, I think it’s important to focus on the end of the verse.

Here, Jeremiah says God will give Israel rest. This is the part I’m confused about so I’m tempted to skip verses like this one. Why? Because I find very few periods in Israel’s history where God has given them rest. Right now, as I write these words, Israel is being pummeled again.

How can the words of Jeremiah be true, that God will give Israel rest? The answer includes an understanding of the Hebrew word for rest that is used here. The word is raga’ which means to disturb. How can we understand the translation of “rest” as “disturbed”? This word means to be moved. God will move Israel, causing them to be disturbed.

If the inspiration of the scriptures is a fact, this verse is not only speaking to Israel but to God’s people now. Putting these thoughts together, we see that even though we have walked through times in our lives that have been very difficult, God will move his children away from it, giving us rest. This rest or moving may not be in this life, but it will be in the next.

Do you have your bags packed and ready to move?