Jer31:15-20 God's Compassion, A Mother's Heart

# God's Compassion, <br/> A Mother's Heart
## Jeremiah 31:15-20

---

# Does the <br/> Heavenly **Father**
# understand <br/> a **mother's** heart?

[###](#/outline)

>>>
+ life-long **love** for her children
+ even when they wander **astray**
+ **sorrow** over child's rebellion
+ **hope** for their return

______
+ ch30 write for future
	+ :12 wound incurable || :17 I will heal
	+ :24 fierce anger until accompl intent
+ 31:2 survived **sword** ⇒ walk out for **rest**
	+ ⇒ attain **grace** in wilderness
+ :9 return w/weeping
	+ father to Ephraim

---
<span class="ref">15</span>
This is what the Lord says: <br/>
“A voice is heard in Ramah, **mourning** and great weeping, <br/>
Rachel **weeping** for her children <br/>
and refusing to be **comforted**, <br/>
because they are no more.”

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">15</span>
耶和華如此說： <br/>
在拉瑪聽見號咷痛哭的聲音， <br/>
是拉結哭他兒女，不肯受安慰， <br/>
因為他們都不在了。
</div>

---
<span class="ref">16</span>
This is what the Lord says: <br/>
“**Restrain** your voice from weeping <br/>
and your eyes from tears, <br/>
for your work will be **rewarded**,” declares the Lord.

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">16</span>
耶和華如此說： <br/>
你禁止聲音不要哀哭，禁止眼目不要流淚， <br/>
因你所做之工必有賞賜；
</div>

---
“They will **return** from the land of the enemy. <br/>
<span class="ref">17</span>
So there is **hope** for your descendants,” <br/>
declares the Lord. <br/>
“Your children will return to their own land.

<div class="zh">
他們必從敵國歸回。這是耶和華說的。 <br/>
<span class="ref">17</span>
耶和華說：你末後必有指望； <br/>
你的兒女必回到自己的境界。
</div>

---
<span class="ref">18</span>
“I have surely **heard** Ephraim’s moaning: <br/>
‘You **disciplined** me like an unruly **calf**, <br/>
and I have been disciplined. <br/>
**Restore** me, and I will **return**, <br/>
because you are the Lord my God.

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">18</span>
我聽見以法蓮為自己悲歎說： <br/>
你責罰我，我便受責罰， <br/>
像不慣負軛的牛犢一樣。 <br/>
求你使我回轉，我便回轉， <br/>
因為你是耶和華─我的神。
</div>

---
<span class="ref">19</span>
After I strayed, I **repented**; <br/>
after I came to **understand**, I beat my breast. <br/>
I was **ashamed** and humiliated <br/>
because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">19</span>
我回轉以後就真正懊悔； <br/>
受教以後就拍腿歎息； <br/>
我因擔當幼年的凌辱就抱愧蒙羞。
</div>

---
<span class="ref">20</span>
Is not Ephraim my **dear son**, the child in whom I **delight**? <br/>
Though I often speak against him, I still **remember** him. <br/>
Therefore my heart **yearns** for him; <br/>
I have great **compassion** for him,” declares the Lord.

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">20</span>
耶和華說：以法蓮是我的愛子麼？ <br/>
是可喜悅的孩子麼？ <br/>
我每逢責備他， 仍深顧念他； <br/>
所以我的心腸戀慕他； 我必要憐憫他。
</div>

---

## Jeremiah 31:15-20
1. A Mother's **Tears** <span class="ref">(v15)</span>
1. The LORD's **Promise** <span class="ref">(v16-17)</span>
1. A Son's **Chastening** <span class="ref">(v18-19)</span>
1. The LORD's **Compassion** <span class="ref">(v20)</span>

>>>
+ call-and-response:
+ **sorrow** of a grieving mother
+ **promise** of God's reward for efforts
  + **hope** of children returning
+ **discipline**: God disciplines,
  + son **accepts** the discipline
+ deep **yearning** of God's heart for us

---

<span class="ref">15</span>
“A voice is heard in Ramah, <br/>
**mourning** and great weeping, <br/>
Rachel weeping for her **children** <br/>
and refusing to be **comforted**, <br/>
because they are no more.”

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">15</span>
在拉瑪聽見號咷痛哭的聲音， <br/>
是拉結哭他兒女，不肯受安慰， <br/>
因為他們都不在了。
</div>

>>>
+ sorrow over **lost children**
	+ (Mt2:18) Bethlehem, in Benjamin/Rachel
	+ e.g., remember miscarriage 25yrs
+ sons of Israel were lost to **exile**:
	+ not that they failed in **school** / success
  + but turned away from **God**
+ **comfort**: repent, move on:
	+ **Gen37:35** Jacob over Joseph
	+ (:13, Is40 comfort my people)

---

Then Jacob tore his clothes, <br/>
put on sackcloth and **mourned for his son** many days. <br/>
<span class="ref">35</span>
All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, <br/>
but he **refused to be comforted.**

<div class="zh">
雅各便撕裂衣服， 腰間圍上麻布， <br/>
為他兒子悲哀了多日。 <br/>
<span class="ref">35</span>
他的兒女都起來安慰他， 他卻不肯受安慰，
</div>

<div class="ref">
Genesis 37:34-35 (NIV) (p.1/2)
</div>
<div class="caption">
Jean-Jacques Forty,
["Jacob Recognizing the Robe of His Son Joseph"](https://collections.artsmia.org/art/2491/jacob-recognizing-the-robe-of-his-son-joseph-jean-jacques-forty), 1791.
</div>

---

“No,” he said, “I will continue to **mourn** <br/>
until I **join my son** in the grave.” <br/>
So his father **wept** for him.

<div class="zh">
說： 我必悲哀著下陰間， 到我兒子那裡。 <br/>
約瑟的父親就為他哀哭。
</div>

<div class="ref">
Genesis 37:35 (NIV) (p.2/2)
</div>

>>>
+ to those who say "just **move on**"
  + "nothing you can do anyway"
+ a mother never **forgets** her child
  + never **gives up** on them
  + always **hopes** for child's restoration

---

# God **sees** each <br/> mother's **tears**

---

## Jeremiah 31:15-20
1. A Mother's Tears <span class="ref">(v15)</span>
1. **The LORD's Promise** <span class="ref">(v16-17)</span>
1. A Son's Chastening <span class="ref">(v18-19)</span>
1. The LORD's Compassion <span class="ref">(v20)</span>

>>>
+ God **sees** each mother's **tears**
+ God knows your **efforts**
  + not just physical **tiredness**
  + but **emotional** investment
+ There is a promise of **reward**

---

<span class="ref">16</span>
**Restrain** your voice from weeping <br/>
and your eyes from tears, <br/>
for your work will be **rewarded**

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">16</span>
你禁止聲音不要哀哭，禁止眼目不要流淚， <br/>
因你所做之工必有賞賜；
</div>

>>>
+ God is not saying it is **wrong** to grieve
  + **should** grieve over sin
+ but there is a future **hope**:
  + **reward** for the mother
  + **return** of the child
+ same promise to King Asa, **2Chr15**:

---

The Lord is **with** you when you are **with** him. <br/>
If you **seek** him, he will be **found** by you, <br/>
but if you **forsake** him, he will **forsake** you.

<div class="zh">
你們若順從耶和華， 耶和華必與你們同在； <br/>
你們若尋求他， 就必尋見； <br/>
你們若離棄他， 他必離棄你們。
</div>

<div class="ref">
2 Chronicles <span class="zh">歷代志下</span> 15:2 (NIV)
</div>

>>>
+ remain **close** to God: obey
+ **seek** Him: to hear His voice
+ do not **forsake**
  + or **run away** from God's calling

---

But as for you, be **strong** and do not give up, <br/>
for your **work** will be **rewarded**.

<div class="zh">
現在你們要剛強， 不要手軟， <br/>
因你們所行的必得賞賜。
</div>

<div class="ref">
2 Chronicles <span class="zh">歷代志下</span> 15:7 (NIV)
</div>

>>>
+ what **work**?  Asa's **reforms**:
  + remove **idols** (incl own mom's!)
  + **rededicate** to worship God alone
+ (1) hope of **reward**
  + (2) hope of **return**:

---

They will **return** from the land of the enemy. <br/>
<span class="ref">17</span>
So there is **hope** for your descendants

<div class="zh">
他們必從敵國歸回。這是耶和華說的。 <br/>
<span class="ref">17</span>
耶和華說：你末後必有指望；
</div>

>>>
* lost children coming **home**:
  + not just home to **mom+dad**
  + **real** home is in arms of **Creator**
+ (cf Jer29:11) hope for **future**:
	+ redeemed out of enemy **exile**
  + but it took **70yrs**!
+ e.g., Christopher Yuan's mom Angela

---

# Will I continue <br/> to **seek** God
# for the hope <br/> of my child's **return**?

>>>
+ or have I **given up** hope that God could ever redeem my children?
+ not that they return to **me**
  + "guai", "xiao sun" obey parents
  + but return to **God**, obedient to Him
+ **seek** God ⇒ **obey** His calling

---

## Jeremiah 31:15-20
1. A Mother's Tears <span class="ref">(v15)</span>
1. The LORD's Promise <span class="ref">(v16-17)</span>
1. **A Son's Chastening** <span class="ref">(v18-19)</span>
1. The LORD's Compassion <span class="ref">(v20)</span>

>>>
+ first call+response is **mother**
+ now we turn to the **son**
+ pattern of how **repentance** works
  + **example** for all of us
+ e.g., JJ quickly pray + say "sorry"
  + then off to **play** again:
  + how to **know** if true repentance?

---

<span class="ref">18</span>
“I have surely **heard** Ephraim’s **moaning**:

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">18</span>
我聽見以法蓮為自己悲歎說： <br/>
</div>

>>>
+ surely **heard**: inf abs (intensive)
+ **moaning**: shake head, quiver
  + sorrow over God's **punishment**
  + sorrow over own **sin**:

---

<span class="ref">18</span>
‘You **disciplined** me like an unruly **calf**, <br/>
and I have been **disciplined**. <br/>
**Restore** me, and I will **return**, <br/>
because you are the **Lord my God**.

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">18</span>
你責罰我，我便受責罰， <br/>
像不慣負軛的牛犢一樣。 <br/>
求你使我回轉，我便回轉， <br/>
因為你是耶和華─我的神。
</div>

>>>
+ **roles** and relation:
  + I: calf not-been-**taught** (ps)
    + learn to accept **yoke**
	+ You: LORD **my God**
+ action and **reaction**:
  + You **disciplnd** ⇒ I was discp
  + **Turn** me ⇒ I turn (repent)
+ We are not **strong** enough to repent
  + sinful lifestyle is a **trap**, chains
  + we do not **believe** it to be wrong
+ Even **ability** to repent is God's **grace**
  + none of us **deserves** it
+ ⇒ **pray** God grant this grace

---

<span class="ref">19</span>
After I **strayed**, I **repented**; <br/>
after I came to **understand**, I **beat** my breast. <br/>
I was **ashamed** and humiliated <br/>
because I bore the **disgrace** of my youth.’

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">19</span>
我回轉以後就真正懊悔； <br/>
受教以後就拍腿歎息； <br/>
我因擔當幼年的凌辱就抱愧蒙羞。
</div>

>>>
+ I **turned** (point of **decision**)
  + sin was made **known** to me
+ I was **sorry** (**emotion**, sorrow)
  + **clap** thigh: scoff, horror, contract
  + horrified at own **sin**
	+ (Ez21:12 finality of judgment)
+ ashamed, disgrace:
  + not humiliated by **others**
  + realise **own** behaviour shameful

---

# Is God **turning** me now?
# Will I **turn**?

>>>
+ **decision** (change direction)
  + & **emotion** (sorrow)
+ realise **disgrace** of own behaviour
+ When I **myself** have repented,
  + know what it **looks like** in child

---

## Jeremiah 31:15-20
1. A Mother's Tears <span class="ref">(v15)</span>
1. The LORD's Promise <span class="ref">(v16-17)</span>
1. A Son's Chastening <span class="ref">(v18-19)</span>
1. **The LORD's Compassion** <span class="ref">(v20)</span>

>>>
+ **repentant** son
+ God's heart of **compassion**:

---

<span class="ref">20</span>
Is not Ephraim my **dear son**, the child in whom I **delight**? <br/>
Though I often **speak** against him, I still **remember** him.

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">20</span>
耶和華說：以法蓮是我的愛子麼？ <br/>
是可喜悅的孩子麼？ <br/>
我每逢責備他， 仍深顧念他；
</div>

>>>
+ dear (**precious**, weighty)
  + **delight** (light, joyful)
+ **speak** against/to
	+ **remember**: inf abs (surely)

---

<span class="ref">20</span>
Therefore my heart **yearns** for him; <br/>
I have great **compassion** for him,” declares the Lord.

<div class="zh">
<span class="ref">20</span>
所以我的心腸戀慕他； 我必要憐憫他。
</div>

>>>
+ **heart**: bowels/inmost
	+ **yearns**: roar/turmoil
+ **compassion**: love, yearning
  + inf abs (surely, great)
  + root: **womb** (רָחַם)
  + mother's love even before **birth**

---

# Do I **emulate** <br/> the Father's heart <br/> of **compassion**?

>>>
+ Do I understand His great **love** for me?
+ Do I **show** that love to my children and to others?
+ same word "compassion" translated as **mercy** in Hab3:2:

---

Lord, I have heard of your **fame**; <br/>
I stand in awe of your **deeds**, Lord. <br/>
Repeat them in **our day**, <br/>
in **our time** make them known; <br/>
in **wrath** remember **mercy**.

<div class="zh">
耶和華啊， 我聽見你的名聲就懼怕。 <br/>
耶和華啊， 求你在這些年間復興你的作為， <br/>
在這些年間顯明出來； <br/>
在發怒的時候以憐憫為念。
</div>

<div class="ref">
Habakkuk <span class="zh">哈巴谷</span> 3:2 (NIV/CUV)
</div>

>>>
+ Though God **disciplines** His children
+ He has great **compassionate** love for us
  + **roars** for us from his **inmost** being
  + **delights** + **values** us (precious)
  + surely **remembers** us

---