Read Jeremiah 46
A Message About Egypt
46 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations:
2 Concerning Egypt:
This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
3 “Prepare your shields, both large and small,
and march out for battle!
4 Harness the horses,
mount the steeds!
Take your positions
with helmets on!
Polish your spears,
put on your armor!
5 What do I see?
They are terrified,
they are retreating,
their warriors are defeated.
They flee in haste
without looking back,
and there is terror on every side,”
declares the Lord.
6 “The swift cannot flee
nor the strong escape.
In the north by the River Euphrates
they stumble and fall.
7 “Who is this that rises like the Nile,
like rivers of surging waters?
8 Egypt rises like the Nile,
like rivers of surging waters.
She says, ‘I will rise and cover the earth;
I will destroy cities and their people.’
9 Charge, you horses!
Drive furiously, you charioteers!
March on, you warriors—men of Cush and Put who carry shields,
men of Lydia who draw the bow.
10 But that day belongs to the Lord, the Lord Almighty—
a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes.
The sword will devour till it is satisfied,
till it has quenched its thirst with blood.
For the Lord, the Lord Almighty, will offer sacrifice
in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.
11 “Go up to Gilead and get balm,
Virgin Daughter Egypt.
But you try many medicines in vain;
there is no healing for you.
12 The nations will hear of your shame;
your cries will fill the earth.
One warrior will stumble over another;
both will fall down together.”
13 This is the message the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to attack Egypt:
14 “Announce this in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol;
proclaim it also in Memphis and Tahpanhes:
‘Take your positions and get ready,
for the sword devours those around you.’
15 Why will your warriors be laid low?
They cannot stand, for the Lord will push them down.
16 They will stumble repeatedly;
they will fall over each other.
They will say, ‘Get up, let us go back
to our own people and our native lands,
away from the sword of the oppressor.’
17 There they will exclaim,
‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise;
he has missed his opportunity.’
18 “As surely as I live,” declares the King,
whose name is the Lord Almighty,
“one will come who is like Tabor among the mountains,
like Carmel by the sea.
19 Pack your belongings for exile,
you who live in Egypt,
for Memphis will be laid waste
and lie in ruins without inhabitant.
20 “Egypt is a beautiful heifer,
but a gadfly is coming
against her from the north.
21 The mercenaries in her ranks
are like fattened calves.
They too will turn and flee together,
they will not stand their ground,
for the day of disaster is coming upon them,
the time for them to be punished.
22 Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent
as the enemy advances in force;
they will come against her with axes,
like men who cut down trees.
23 They will chop down her forest,”
declares the Lord,
“dense though it be.
They are more numerous than locusts,
they cannot be counted.
24 Daughter Egypt will be put to shame,
given into the hands of the people of the north.”
25 The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her godsand her kings, and on those who rely on Pharaoh. 26 I will give them into the hands of those who want to kill them—Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past,” declares the Lord.
27 “Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant;
do not be dismayed, Israel.
I will surely save you out of a distant place,
your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,
and no one will make him afraid.
28 Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant,
for I am with you,” declares the Lord.
“Though I completely destroy all the nations
among which I scatter you,
I will not completely destroy you.
I will discipline you but only in due measure;
I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”
Go Deeper
In this chapter, we see that the battle is raging and judgment is coming for many nations here in Jeremiah 46. From now through Jeremiah 51, we will see many nations judged that surround Judah. In verses 1-8 we are taken straight into the battle via Jeremiah’s vision. The battle described is the battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, where the Egyptians were completely overtaken by the Babylonians. In verses 3-5 we see that the Egyptian army is described as being incredibly well put together and strong. However, what follows is not triumph, but an embarrassing retreat leading to the deaths of Egypt’s most powerful leaders at the hands of the Babylonians. So, if they are described in this way and then defeated immediately, what could have happened?
Verse 10 tells us, “That day is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge Himself on His foes.” Egypt was an enemy of God and was judged for it. Even though Egypt had immense earthly power, they were immediately destroyed because of God’s judgment. What should this tell us? No matter what influence, power, control, wealth, prosperity, or security you think you have, if it is not founded in the personhood of Jesus, it can be (and will be in eternity) taken away. It means nothing, even though the world makes it seem like something.
Later on, in verses 18 and 19, we see that God declares the inhabitants of Egypt cannot simply flee His judgment. They will become a “ruin without inhabitant” and be exiled. Like Jonah fleeing Nineveh, no one can escape God’s plan and judgment. The first 26 verses depict judgment, pain, exile, and death. However, we must remember that God is good and loves us more than we can possibly imagine. In verse 27 we see three of the most beautiful words, “But fear not.”
No matter what may come, God’s people “shall return and have quiet and ease.” This is reminiscent of 1 Thessalonians 4:11 which says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.” In the chaos of verses 1-26, God’s people are told not to fear because He has called them into a quiet life of following Him and being saved into His presence now and forever. In the world today, verses 1-26 may seem like more of a glimpse into our modern reality than we would like to admit. However, we must trust verses 27-28 which says “Fear not, for I am with you.” God declares He will be with us even if we must be “disciplined in just measure and by no means be left unpunished.” Sin requires payment and consequences, but He will never leave us or forsake us!
Questions
- Are you currently fighting any battles in which it feels like you are being exiled? If so, do you know that you are God’s? If yes, then you are not an exile; you are a Son or Daughter of Him. How can this reality help you face these battles?
- Are you spending more time focusing on the negative “battles” around the world today, or more time focusing on the One who already defeated all of our battles and won?
- How are you actively pursuing a quiet and content life in Christ?
A Quote
Pastor David Guzik says this about the end of Jeremiah 46:
“Even God’s judgment upon His people was evidence of His great love and care for them. Like a faithful Father, He would correct them and not leave them wholly unpunished.”
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3 thoughts on “Jeremiah 46”
I’m reminded that my Savior is the eye of the storm. Although waves crash and we are beaten down, he remains the calm and steady presence that never, ever leaves or forsakes us. He is the One the wind and waves obey and can carry us safely through whatever comes. It can be well with my soul, although my circumstances may not be. Herein lies the nugget of truth, “No Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace.”
Repentance and restoration. BUT GOD, He always has us. It is us that let go of Him. He speaks, we hear, then do not obey. We hear again, or just try to go back and obey what was said before but now the circumstances have changed, so it is not the same. I have a hard time with the follow through, like the Israelites. Either I do not like what I am suppose to obey or I try to “help” by fixing it differently. (insert heavy sigh). BUT GOD being rich in mercy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ever so slowly, I am learning to hear, listen, obey, trust, love, not be so judgy, be still, then be still some more, read my Book of Knowledge and learn. Repentance and restoration.
God I thank You for better listening ears to hear and just obey. Thank You that I can repent but I am grateful when I simply obey. God thank You for grace, mercy and Your HESED love!!! God thank You for wisdom and knowledge of You and what You desire for me to do this day in these minutes to glorify and honor You in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Fear not” twice in this passage!
I love how this phrase, “fear not, is seen so often in Scripture, especially when encountering God or angels. I have heard it said that “fear not” is the most repeated command in the Bible.
Today, with God’s help, I chose to “fear not”!