ירמיהו, פרק ל׳, פסוק י״ז

The promise of healing and redemption for the Israelites emerges precisely in response to the scorn of the surrounding nations. When global powers assume that Jerusalem's downfall is absolute and final, God steps in to mend her brokenness, proving she is never truly abandoned. The primary approach among commentators is that God promises a complete and total recovery. This divine healing addresses every type of injury, covering the mending of external fractures where the flesh must grow and knit back together, as well as the curing of deep, internal wounds [מלבי״ם]. God ensures that both visible breaks and hidden blows are entirely healed.

The main trigger for this immediate divine intervention is the cruel attitude of the foreign nations. Looking upon the destruction, they mockingly label Jerusalem as an outcast, believing God has permanently banished her from His presence [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. They confidently declare that no one cares to seek her out, assuming there is no one left to restore her to greatness or defend her honor [רד״ק]. In the natural order, a shepherd always searches for a wandering sheep. Yet, the nations sneer that Zion is a lost sheep that no one bothers to find [מלבי״ם].

This arrogant misconception ultimately leads to the downfall of these nations. Although they initially served as God's agents to discipline the Israelites, they face severe punishment for their excessive cruelty. They mistakenly believed that God had forsaken His people forever. They failed to realize that the Israelites are like an erring son whose father temporarily hands him over to another for correction, fully expecting the disciplinarian to act with measure and compassion rather than seeking the son's destruction.

Operating under the false assumption that the Israelites lacked a protector to fight their battles and avenge their blood, the nations felt free to crush them into the dust [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In direct response to this cruelty and mockery, God makes His intentions clear. He Himself will gather His people, avenge their humiliation, and act with profound kindness to restore them to their ancient glory [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].