24. Shall not return. The deliverance of God’s people would be accompanied by the fall of the Babylonian Empire, which had held Israel captive ( 25:12, 26), and finally by judgment upon the wicked of all nations ( 25:31-33). God now announces His purpose to carry this act through to its completion.
Latter days. That is, at the time of the fulfillment of the prediction and subsequently. At the moment the future looked dark. Ahead lay invasion and deportation. The fulfillment of the glorious promises of prosperity appeared almost incredible. The future would confirm the merciful purposes of God.
1. All the families of Israel. Chapter 31 continues the record of what Jeremiah wrote regarding the restoration of the whole nation of Israel. This chapter, like 30, was written immediately after the interchange of letters between the prophet and the exiles (see on 30:2), early in the reign of Zedekiah (see on 29:2).