Coming deliverance; God’s own thoughts of grace
On the other hand the prophet comforts those who, by the judgment of God, were subjected to the yoke which He had imposed upon them. The Jews in Babylon should dwell in peace, quietly seeking the welfare of the city in which they were captives. The time of deliverance should come. The spirit of rebellion should be punished. Finally, having insisted on the people’s submission to the judgment, God reveals His own thoughts of grace. This submission was necessary, because of Israel’s sin; for God must maintain His own character, and not identify Himself with the ways of a rebellious people. But He must needs manifest Himself as He is in His grace. The execution of the judgment, and Israel’s ruined condition, brought the truth and beauty of the grace of God into yet greater prominence.