Bible Study--Jer. 30

Jeremiah 30 "In the latter days you will understand this." I sure hope so. I've read this before, and been through college teaching me about what the Bible teaches. But still some things get me.
God says He has done these things to Israel & Judah, to restore them. The principle here must be that there is a difference between punishment for correction, and 'devouring'. Her enemies devoured her, so God devoured them in return. But God set everything in motion in the first place. He called foreign nations to Israel. Did they overstep their bounds? Did they show to much glee in the violence they brought?
In the latter days I will understand this. Maybe it will help me to be a better father to my own children, too.