3:19 Jeremiah prayed that the Lord would remember his affliction and bitterness (cf. Job 13:15).
3:20-21 He himself remembered something that gave him hope.
3:22 The prophet remembered that the Lord's loyal love (Heb. hesed) never ceases and that He is ceaselessly compassionate.
3:23 There are new evidences of Yahweh's lovingkindness and compassion every day that testify to His great faithfulness (cf. Ps. 36:6). His daily provision of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness was one example of this.38
"The word translated compassions' draws attention to God's emotional response to the needs of His people [cf. Gen. 43:30; 1 Kings 3:26]. The terms rendered love' [or "lovingkindness"] and faithfulness' are closely related in meaning [cf. Ps. 89:24; 92:2; 98:3; Hos. 2:19-20]. They refer to God's devotion to His covenant people and to the promises He made to them."39
3:24 Jeremiah reminded himself that Yahweh was his portion. Consequently he had hope (cf. Num. 18:20). By calling the Lord his portion, the prophet was comparing Yahweh to an allotment of land that provides the necessities of life (cf. Ps. 16:5-6; 73:26; 119:57; 142:5).
"To have God for our portion is the one only foundation of hope."40
3:25-26 Those who wait for the Lord and seek Him eventually experience His goodness. Waiting for the Lord's deliverance silently is a good practice (cf. Ps. 37:9; Hos. 12:6; Zeph. 3:8; Rom. 8:25; Gal. 5:5).
3:27 Likewise shouldering the heavy burden of God's revealed will in one's youth is a good thing.
"Early discipline begets mature dependability."41
3:28 Such a person should bear his burden without complaining since God has placed it on him (cf. Ps. 39:2; 94:17).
3:29 He should also humble himself since there is hope that God will help him.
"The expression is derived from the Oriental custom of throwing oneself in the most reverential manner on the ground, and involves the idea of humble silence, because the mouth, placed in the dust, cannot speak."42
3:30 The afflicted do well to yield to the antagonism of others and to allow others to heap reproach on them rather than retaliating (cf. Matt. 26:67; Luke 22:64; John 18:22; 19:3).
"Many take patiently afflictions from God, but when man wrongs them, they take it impatiently. The godly bear resignedly the latter, like the former, as sent by God (Ps. 17:13)."43
3:31-32 The Lord's rejection of His own is only temporary (cf. Jer. 3:5, 12). Compassion and loyal love will replace grief eventually (cf. Job 5:18; Ps. 30:6; Isa. 54:8).
3:33 The Lord does not take pleasure in afflicting people or in bringing them grief.
3:34-36 The Lord disapproves of injustice in its many forms and of the brutal oppression of prisoners (cf. Ps. 69:33; 146:7; Isa. 42:7; Luke 4:18).
3:37-38 The plans of those who anticipate a particular future only come to fruition if the sovereign Lord ordains them. The Most High is the ultimate source of all good and bad things.
3:39-40 Jeremiah wondered why anyone could complain against God since all mortals are sinners and so deserve divine punishment. He counseled self-examination and returning to the Lord.
"Jeremiah wrote seven principles about the nature of Israel's affliction: (1) Affliction should be endured with hope in God's salvation, that is, ultimate restoration (Lam. 3:25-30). (2) Affliction is only temporary and is tempered by God's compassion and love (vv. 31-32). (3) God does not delight in affliction (v. 33). (4) If affliction comes because of injustice, God sees it and does not approve of it (vv. 34-36). (5) Affliction is always in relationship to God's sovereignty (vv. 37-38; cf. Job 2:10). (6) Affliction ultimately came because of Judah's sins (Lam. 3:39). (7) Affliction should accomplish the greater good of turning God's people back to Him (v. 40)."44
