Reading

• Jer. 46:1-28; 47:1-7

Devotional

Judah had been oppressed by two enemies—Egypt and the Philistines. GOD gave a prophecy to Jeremiah concerning the coming destruction upon both of those lands at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.

¹ The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the nations. ² Against Egypt. Concerning the army of Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, which was by the River Euphrates in Carchemish, and which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah…
(Jer. 46:1-2 NKJV)

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.’
(Jer. 46:13-14 NIV)

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 gods and 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.
(Jer. 46:25-26 NIV)

GOD then promises to be with Judah, even though they will be exiled:

²⁷ “But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, And do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, And your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; No one shall make him afraid. ²⁸ Do not fear, O Jacob My servant,” says the LORD, “ For I am with you; For I will make a complete end of all the nations To which I have driven you, But I will not make a complete end of you. I will rightly correct you, For I will not leave you wholly unpunished.”
(Jer. 46:27-28 NKJV)

⁴ For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines and to remove all survivors who could help Tyre and Sidon. The LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.
(Jer. 47:4 NIV)

It would be an understatement to say that there is a lot of turmoil in the world at this time. Yet we see that GOD is supremely in control and He is carefully carrying out His will in the nations of men.