Jeremiah 3:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And he proclaimed, "Let it be, O Lord, that I will make you as children." Observe the care of the prophet; even though he did not witness those days nor experience the blessings firsthand, he prays as if he had enjoyed the privilege of the name. This message is conveyed through the prophet, yet it is immediately followed by what seems to come directly from God's presence: "I will make you as children," for this links back to the previous statements. The foremost honor is that of paternal inheritance, yet they chose to forfeit this relationship, even addressing the stone as Father. Nevertheless, I will grant you the status of a child. Note that this kinship is affirmed in both the old covenant and the new, established by both God and ourselves.

But I declare that I will provide you with a promised land, the inheritance of the stronghold of the nations, referring to the territory of the thirty kings of Canaan. In a profound way, this was realized in Christ, as our Lord is ‘the expectation of the Gentiles’ (Gen. 49:10).

I asked, How can I create a child for you and provide you with a desirable inheritance, a beautiful land sought by many? I proclaimed, You shall refer to Me as Father, and you will not stop following Me. In contrast to the cherished legacy of many, which the LXX translates as the heritage of the esteemed God of the nations, Theodotion more vividly describes it as the heritage of the glorious strength of the mightiest among the peoples, alluding to Christ, who is the ruler and Lord over all nations that place their faith in His name and endure suffering for His sake.

I responded, "So be it, O Lord." The prophet, having delivered this message while God's promise was being proclaimed, concludes it. "I will place you among the children." God declares that they shall be known as His children. "And I will grant you a selected land, a heritage named in honor of God Almighty of languages." This is how the Prophet referred to the promised land, identifying God Himself as "the Almighty of tongues," emphasizing His identity as the Creator and Lord of all. This indicates that even the Gentiles will receive instruction about God, and the grace of the Spirit will be poured out upon them. Consequently, he encourages them to embrace the love that children have for their father and to trust in God's providence.

In another prophetic message, our persistence in rebellion and disobedience is illustrated through the imagery of a wife who abandons her husband: ‘You shall call Me your father, and you shall not depart from Me. But verily, as a woman treacherously cheats her friend, so treacherously have ye done to Me, O house of Israel’ (Jeremiah 3:19-20). Similarly, God's unwavering love and steadfast nature are expressed through the figure of a devoted husband forsaken by his wife, typically the one more fervently loving towards her, even as she grows indifferent to him. This metaphor reflects the profound love God holds for humanity; our transgressions do not diminish His commitment to our redemption, nor do our misdeeds divert Him from His divine purpose.