The Savior of Nations
Jeremiah 46:1-47:7 teaches us that God doesn't just judge nations, he saves them.
For the last several months we’ve been looking at what happened to the Jews when they disobeyed God and rejected his covenant. Simply put, what happened was God disciplined them. He warned them, judged them, and eventually sent them into captivity when they refused to listen.
But what about all the other nations? The next several chapters (46-51) tell us the fates of Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, Elam, and Babylon. And I’ll just tell you, the takeaway from all of these chapters is that Jeremiah wasn’t only a prophet to Judah; he was also a prophet to all the nations.
Remember this was stated clearly back in chapter one.
Jeremiah 1:5 (CSB)
I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
What this means is that the while the Old Testament gives us a history of the Jews, it wasn’t only written for them. It was written for all nations. So these next few chapters aren’t just an afterthought. They emphasize God’s comprehensive knowledge of these nations, his judgment of them, and ultimately their salvation.
Comprehensive Knowledge of All Nations
For example, God knows what the nations are thinking. He even hears when Egypt boasts.
Jeremiah 46:7–8 (CSB)
Who is this, rising like the Nile, with waters that churn like rivers? Egypt rises like the Nile, and its waters churn like rivers. He boasts, “I will go up, I will cover the earth; I will destroy cities with their residents.”
God knows the heart of the Egyptians. He knows what motivates them. He knows their pride. And he knows about their geography.
Jeremiah 46:14 (CSB)
Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol! Proclaim it in Memphis and in Tahpanhes! Say, “Take positions! Prepare yourself, for the sword devours all around you.”
Migdol, Memphis, and Tahpanhes were all geographical locations in Egypt and God was just as familiar with them as he was with Jerusalem, Jericho, or any other city in Israel. God also knows about Egypt’s military capabilities. He tells them to...
Jeremiah 46:3–4 (CSB)
Deploy small shields and large; approach for battle! Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish the lances; put on armor!
God knows all about their weaponry. He knows what kind of weapons they rely on and everything there is to know about their military capabilities. He says...
Jeremiah 46:9 (CSB)
Rise up, you cavalry! Race furiously, you chariots! Let the warriors march out— Cush and Put, who are able to handle shields, and the men of Lud, who are able to handle and string the bow.
Cush, Put, and Lud were mercenaries that fought for the Egyptians and each had special strengths which God had full comprehensive knowledge of. Paul talks about God’s knowledge of the nations in this way:
Acts 17:26 (CSB)
From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.
So God knows everything about every nation, including their boundaries. And he judges them, too.
Judgment Against Egypt and the Philistines
This is God’s judgment for Egypt:
Jeremiah 46:5 (CSB)
They are terrified, they are retreating, their warriors are crushed, they flee headlong, they never look back, terror is on every side! This is the Lord’s declaration.
A part of Egypt’s judgment was God’s declaration they would struggle to get enough medicine, which is ironic because during this time they were known for their medical advancements. God says that they would have to...
Jeremiah 46:11 (CSB)
Go up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin Daughter Egypt! You have multiplied remedies in vain; there is no healing for you.
God saw their pride and judged them accordingly. When they relied too much on their amazing calvary God wiped it out. When they became overly reliant on their medical advances God took them away.
In the early 600s B.C., these prophecies came to pass, and once again, God used Babylon to completely overwhelm and crush those who resisted him. Mighty Egypt was judged and humbled.
Jeremiah 46:15–16 (CSB)
Each has not stood, for the Lord has thrust him down. He continues to stumble. Indeed, each falls over the other. They say, “Get up! Let’s return to our people and to our native land, away from the oppressor’s sword.”
Egypt went north to take on Babylon thinking they would have an easy battle but they slithered away as a snake chased by axe men too numerous to count (Jer. 46:22-24).
God judged Egypt for her pride, and he judged the Philistines (Jer. 47:4). The judgment against the Philistines happened around the same time that God judged the Egyptians and once again he used the Babylonians to defeat them.
Judgment Against All Nations
God’s judgment of the nations will continue up until Christ returns.
Matthew 25:31–32 (CSB)
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Part of God’s judgment means separating everyone into two categories—those who belong to him and those who don’t. This guarantees all of God’s enemies will get what’s coming to them no matter which nation they belong to now.
This sounds kind of grim but it also gives us reason to rejoice because the defeat of God’s enemies is a part of the gospel. God’s judgment leads to salvation.
The Savior of all Nations
God promises to protect his people as it says in Jer 46:28.
Jeremiah 46:28 (CSB)
And you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid— this is the Lord’s declaration— for I will be with you. I will bring destruction on all the nations where I have banished you, but I will not bring destruction on you.
These are such comforting words of protection, but they don’t apply just to the nation of Israel. Remember God isn’t only focused on saving one nation, but all nations. God says that even the people of Egypt will be restored in verse 26.
Jeremiah 46:26 CSB
I will hand them over to those who intend to take their lives—to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his officers. But after this, Egypt will be inhabited again as in ancient times. This is the Lord’s declaration.
The Bible reiterates the salvation of all nations in other places, too. For example...
Isaiah 19:21 (CSB)
The Lord will make himself known to Egypt, and Egypt will know the Lord on that day. They will offer sacrifices and offerings; they will make vows to the Lord and fulfill them.
And one more...
Psalm 87:4–6 (CSB)
“I will make a record of those who know me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush— each one was born there.” And it will be said of Zion, “This one and that one were born in her.” The Most High himself will establish her. When he registers the peoples, the Lord will record, “This one was born there.” Selah
It’s interesting that Rahab (not the prostitute but the nation) is a name that means pride or arrogance and is a poetic name for Egypt. In other words, the pride of Egypt will be knocked down so that they can be called, along with all the other nations, a people that know God.
This is why we believe in an evangelical call to missions. It’s why Christians venture into the darkest, most inhabited regions of the world, not just in our homeland. God is keeping a record of everyone who knows him and in this list are people from every tribe and nation.
Some may wonder what in the world God is doing right now because things seem so messed up but rest assured God is in charge. We don’t need to despair if it seems like there is only judgment now, because, in the end, God’s judgment leads to mercy for those who will listen.