Observation: the Lord promises to restore the fortunes of the people of Israel (Jacob) just as God sent them into exile in Babylon in the first place. Both of these actions, God explains, were to show God's glory to the nations (Gentiles).
Application: The Babylonian exile was a traumatic experience for anyone who lived through it. It's a hard pill to swallow, that God would have anything to do with that, even if it did end up teaching Judah (and the Gentile nations who saw it happen) a lesson.
I don't believe that God intentionally sends or causes every traumatic thing that happens to us. Living in a fallen world, sometimes bad things just happen. But God can and does use the bad things that do happen as lessons. They can be opportunities to draw closer to God, to our loved ones, and maybe to let go of some of the unhelpful habits or relationships that cause us pain. Even the pain that breaks God's heart, and ours, can teach us something.
Prayer: God, deliver us from evil and save us from the time of trial. But with the trials that have already come, bring wisdom, lessons, and a chance to make your name known. Amen.
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