The Discussion Starter

 

Jeremiah 31:15 Thus says the Lord:
“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”
16 Thus says the Lord:
“Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears,
for there is a reward for your work, declares the Lord,
    and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
17 There is hope for your future, declares the Lord,
    and your children shall come back to their own country.
18 I have heard Ephraim grieving,
‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined,
    like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored,
    for you are the Lord my God.

The end of this chapter is well-known for the announcement of The New Covenant. But before we get there we have this discussion on what must happen first.  God tells His people what must be said before this new hope is announced. He gives us the discussion starter that we know He will hear and answer. After years of exile they will call out and say: "I was wrong; please restore me; you are the Lord my God."