A Warning For Egypt

Topic: Warning
Passage: Jeremiah 46:13–28

September 9, 2022

Commentary

Jeremiah wrote this passage after he had gone into exile in Egypt. Here he describes the forthcoming invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, which took place after Jeremiah’s death (vv. 13-14). In accordance with this prophesy, Nebuchadnezzar came down into Egypt and took over the land vv. 15-16). In the midst of this prophesy is another characterization of Egypt which is  “Talks-Big-Does-Nothing (v. 17),” and calls the name of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, “’Noisy one who lets the hour go by” vv. 18-19). Isn’t that a strange name to give somebody? In other words, “the noisy one who likes to kill time”. That is the characterization of Egypt – and the world. It is one of the ways we can recognize the world: it loves noise, because it does not want to stop and think. And it loves to kill time, is always seeking ways to pass the time.
An enemy from the north will attack Egypt like a fly biting a cow (v. 20). Hired foreign soldiers will turn and run but they are doomed, like well fed calves being led to the butcher (v. 21). The enemy army will move forward likes a swarm of locusts and your troops will feel helpless, like a snake in the forest (v. 22). When men with axes start chopping down trees it can only hiss and try to escape (v. 23). You will be disgraced and captured by the enemy from the north (v. 24). The Lord says He is the “All-Powerful God of Israel and will punish the Egyptian gods, the Egyptian kings, the people of Egypt, and everyone who trusts in Egyptian power (v. 25). He will hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar but promises He will someday have people living there again(v. 26). They are not to be afraid because one day they and their decedents will live there in peace and safety (vv. 27-28).

Application

Yes, this is a world that comes at us constantly, trying to get me to think only in terms of immediate pleasure and indulgence, and forgetting that it leads to slavery and bondage.

Jeremiah 46:13– 28 (NET)

13 The Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about Nebuchadnezzar coming to attack the land of Egypt:

14 “Make an announcement throughout Egypt. Proclaim it in Migdol, Memphis, and Tahpanhes. ‘Take your positions and prepare to do battle. For the enemy army is destroying all the nations around you.’

15 Why will your soldiers be defeated? They will not stand because I, the Lord, will thrust them down.

16 I will make many stumble. They will fall over one another in their hurry to flee. They will say, ‘Get up! Let’s go back to our own people. Let’s go back to our homelands because the enemy is coming to destroy us.’

17 There at home they will say, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is just a big noise! He has let the most opportune moment pass by.’

18 I the King, whose name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, swear this: ‘I swear as surely as I live that a conqueror is coming. He will be as imposing as Mount Tabor is among the mountains, as Mount Carmel is against the backdrop of the sea.

19 Pack your bags for exile, you inhabitants of poor dear Egypt. For Memphis will be laid waste. It will lie in ruins and be uninhabited.

20 Egypt is like a beautiful young cow. But northern armies will attack her like swarms of stinging flies.

21 Even her mercenaries will prove to be like pampered, well-fed calves. For they too will turn and run away. They will not stand their ground when the time for them to be destroyed comes, the time for them to be punished.

22 Egypt will run away, hissing like a snake, as the enemy comes marching up in force. They will come against her with axes as if they were woodsmen chopping down trees.

23 The population of Egypt is like a vast, impenetrable forest. But I, the Lord, affirm that the enemy will cut them down. For those who chop them down will be more numerous than locusts. They will be too numerous to count.

24 Poor dear Egypt will be put to shame. She will be handed over to the people from the north.’”

25 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says, “I will punish Amon, the god of Thebes. I will punish Egypt, its gods, and its kings. I will punish Pharaoh and all who trust in him. 26 I will hand them over to Nebuchadnezzar and his troops, who want to kill them. But later on, people will live in Egypt again as they did in former times. I, the Lord, affirm it!”

27 “You descendants of Jacob, my servants, do not be afraid; do not be terrified, people of Israel. For I will rescue you and your descendants from the faraway lands where you are captives. The descendants of Jacob will return to their land and enjoy peace. They will be secure and no one will terrify them.

28 I, the Lord, tell you not to be afraid, you descendants of Jacob, my servant, for I am with you. Though I completely destroy all the nations where I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will indeed discipline you but only in due measure. I will not allow you to go entirely unpunished.”