Day 241

Lord of the Nations

Read: Jeremiah 46-48

The prophets are very sure that God is not only the Lord of the individual but also of the nations. Here Jeremiah receives messages from God concerning the nations which surround Judah.

The first message is about Egypt, the nation in whom Judah often put her trust, rather than trusting God. Egypt will be defeated by the Babylonians who will later invade their land. This event is seen as “the day of the Lord” (46:10), a phrase used especially by the minor prophets to describe God’s judgments both within and at the end of history. Through the prophets, the Lord would often give descriptive names to people. Here Pharaoh is called “Noisy one who lets the hour go by” (46:17). Let us be sure that our use of our time will be such that this will not describe us. Having spoken of the downfall of Egypt, Judah is assured that while other nations will come to an end, she will not, a promise which is fulfilled in the church being the new Israel.

The Philistines are also told that they will fall to the Babylonians, described as “waters . . . rising out of the north” (47:2). Moab will also fall “because you trusted in your strongholds and your treasures” (48:7) and “because he magnified himself against the Lord” (v. 26). Historical events are seen to be the results of attitudes toward God.

PRAYER
Father, help us to see that you are Lord both of the individual and of the nations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.