And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
Ver. 9. And I will sow them among the people] Scatter them indeed, but for an excellent purpose, that they may bring forth fruit to God; and be a blessed means of bringing in the fulness of the Gentiles' harvest. Some kind of the knowledge of God was diffused by the Jews wherever they came, and when at length the gospel was preached by the apostles, they first dealt with the Jews (who had their synagogues in all places) as it was necessary, Act 13:46 that as they had been the only people of God, so now they might be the first invited guests. This invitation when they put from them and so judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, what remained but that the halt and the blind Gentiles should be fetched in from the highways and hedges, that so God s house might be full. So then their dispersion was a semination; and their exile opened a gate for the gospel. Hence also it is called διασπορα, a dissemination or scattering; as when a man soweth seed abroad, 1 Peter 1:1 James 1:1 .
And they shall remember me in far countries] Saint Paul testifieth that the twelve tribes instantly served God day and night, Acts 26:7, a great deal better, doubtless, than they do at this day; being as reverend in their synagogues as grammar boys are at school when their master is absent, saith an eyewitness.
And they shall live with their children, and turn again] They or their posterity shall. God's promises bear a long date many times, and the believing Hebrews are told that they had need of patience or tolerance (υπομονη), that, after they had done the will of God and suffered it too, if need be, they might receive the promise, Hebrews 10:36. And they are further exhorted to run with patience the race that is set before them, Hebrews 12:1, wherein he that believeth maketh not haste, but can want and wait for what he wisheth, till God please: being desirous rather that God may be glorified than himself gratified, if both may not stand together.