Jeremiah 46

Jeremiah 46 has the prophet receiving another word from the Lord – this time about Egypt and Pharaoh Neco who was king.  Most of Jeremiah’s writings are about God’s judgment of Judah, but He didn’t neglect or ignore the Gentile nations and Jeremiah speaks of the judgment that is coming over the next five chapters.  Jeremiah describes the judgment that would come upon Egypt, especially at the Battle of Carchemish when the Babylonians defeated the Egyptians. When Jeremiah gave this prophecy the battle was yet in the future.

Jeremiah does a play by play as he prophecies the coming battle.  “Prepare buckler and shield, and advance for battle”!  He sees the soldiers getting ready and then, they run away.  “They are dismayed and have turned backward. Their warriors are beaten down and have fled in haste”.  Not exactly the picture you’d expect to see from the mighty Egyptian army.  But Jeremiah described a full retreat of the Egyptian army before the Babylonians.  They may run, but they can’t hide and are pursued by the Babylonians to the Euphrates where they would be caught and fight the battle of Carchemish.

Egypt is going to be destroyed.  Jeremiah has seen it.  God has made it happen.  “He made many stumble, and they fell”.  God is in control of all things.  He is the Master of the Universe and controller of all things.  It wasn’t only the power of the Babylonian army at work. God was also determined to drive away the defenders of Egypt to bring a vast judgment upon them.  Pharaoh didn’t lead well.  “Call the name of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, Noisy one who lets the hour go by”.  Pharaoh was no longer a ruler of great power and authority.

God makes it clear that this isn’t an accident.  “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon….Pharaoh and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him”.  God is addressing a problem of pride and evil.  Egypt will be ashamed and delivered into the hand of the people of the north (the Babylonians) when this massive army came against them God would bring punishment on the cities and rulers of Egypt.  God ends the chapter reminding His people that He loves them, even though the punishment they had to endure.  God’s judgment upon His people was evidence of His great love and care for them.