Jeremiah 46
February 22, 2024 12:50 PM
Solitary Man
solitaryman.substack.com
20240222
Jer 46:1 The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
We now come to a sort of appendix to Jeremiah’s work. These next 6 chapters are a collection of various prophecies given to several pagan nations, in no particular order. Some are dated, some are not. Because of Jer 25:15-26, most are thought to be given within Jehoiakim’s reign (608-597 BC).
The nations are dealt with in the order as follows: Egyptians, Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Syrians, Arabians, Persians, and Chaldeans (Babylonians).
Israel will have words interspersed here and there, but they all have to do with future restoration and blessing, and are not really the focus.
Although these are all words of judgment, it is still comforting to know that God has not forgotten about the rest of mankind, even during this time before the cross. God had created all people. He may of chosen a specific tribe out of all tribes, but that does not mean he does not care about anyone else. Sometimes I think we in the west think heaven revolves around America especially. We have become so proud and arrogant. America’s superpower status has corrupted the thinking of the church. All major Laodicean end time heresies have sprung from America. You can go back to the Millerites of the 19th century, to the Branhamites of the 20th. The word of faith, the prosperity gospel, the hyper grace, the laughing movement, the weird signs and wonders movement (gemstones and crackers and angel dust and angel feathers), to name a few.
Believers in the west had too much time and comfort on their hands. Instead of seeking God like normal Christians, we were too busy creating new doctrines that would take the sin out of our greed and self indulgence. So now here we are in 2024. how has that worked out for us?
Jer 46:2 Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
Egypt is first up to bat. Although in Jer 44:30 we learn of the final judgment of Egypt at this time at the hand of the king of Babylon, that was not the first time they were afflicted by this foe.
The time is 605 BC. This was the king that killed Josiah at Megiddo (2 Ki 23:29). At that time he marched to Carchemish (a place in Syria) and had defeated the Babylonians (2 Chr 35:20). He made Jehoiakim king of Judah, taking away Jehoahaz (2 Ki 23:34).
Now Nebuchadnezzar was going to retake the city in 605 BC (2 Ki 24:7). He would humble Egypt and cause that Pharaoh not to venture out again from his own lands. Jehoiakim was made Babylon’s tributary, rather than Egypt’s. This prophecy will colourfully describe this battle, so it would of been made before 605.
Jer 46:3 Order (prepare) ye the buckler (small shield) and shield (large shield), and draw near to battle.
Commentators say this summons could refer to the Babylonians or to the Egyptians. I believe it fits better if it’s applied to the Egyptians, as I read it as a derisive summons to this doomed army. In effect, God is saying to Egypt to make all the preparations that you want, for all the good it’s going to do you.
I think we should seriously meditate on this verse, and verses like this. Is God saying something similar to us? Are we marshalling all our resources and pinning our hopes on a Trump victory in 2024? Do we think that if we just put in enough effort of a certain kind, that we can still save ourselves? What do you think God is saying to that?
Jer 46:4 Harness the horses; and get up (ascend), ye horsemen, and stand forth (station yourselves) with your helmets; furbish (polish) the spears, and put on (wrap yourself in) the brigandines (coat of mail).
More derisive taunts to this vaunted Egyptian army. You may think you have the latest in high tech weaponry, it matters not. What I have decided is all that matters. Sort of like America throwing every last weapon that it has into Ukraine, and Russia simply destroying one device after another.
Jer 46:5 Wherefore have I seen them dismayed (terror stricken) and turned away (flinching) back? and their mighty ones (gibbor) are beaten down (broken in pieces), and are fled apace (retreating, put to flight), and look not back (and not facing the enemy): for fear (maw-goor – terror) was round about (encircled them on every side), saith the LORD.
Sounds like a spirit of fear was the victor on this battlefield. When God allows fear to do its work, what man can stand on his own strength against it? This reminds me of when the Berlin wall fell. Why did communism survive and thrive for 70 years until it didn’t? When God sent a spirit of fear into the Eastern bloc, nation after nation quickly fell. All but China, whom God has reserved for the end times. Eastern Europe got one more chance to freely hear the gospel, and are perhaps the most free people in 2024, resisting the new world order better than anyone else, knowing that what they face is their old foe, marxism, just dressed up with different terminology.
Jer 46:6 Let not the swift (light footed) flee away, nor the mighty man (gibbor) escape; they shall stumble (totter, waver), and fall (naphal) toward the north (tsaw-fone – hidden, dark, a word used for the north direction) by the river Euphrates.
Carchemish was by the river Euphrates. Let not the fleet of foot think that his speed shall save him. Let not the mighty man think his strength shall prevail. They are all destined to be defeated because I, the Lord, have decreed it so.
Notice how America has not really won a war since world war two. Why is that? Having such superior forces, why have they faced defeat after defeat? Or at least no clear victories? Could it be that God has decreed it to be so? Should we not seek the Lord and find out why?
Jer 46:7 Who is this that cometh up as a flood (or, the Nile), whose waters are moved (agitated violently) as the rivers (flood)?
If we look at what is going on in the natural, Egypt’s army is overspreading the land like the waters of the Nile in flood season. Yet all is not as it seems. This is why God tells us to walk by faith, not by sight. The cabal has overspread the earth like a raging flood. They may cause extensive damage like a serious flood. These things are real. However as we read along, this is not the end of the matter.
Jer 46:8 Egypt riseth up like a flood (as the Nile), and his waters are moved (agitated violently) like the rivers (flood); and he saith, I will go up (ascend), and will cover (overwhelm) the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof (and sit down in the midst of it).
One thing we can be sure of, is that the proud and arrogant love to boast. This boast reminds us of satan’s boast (Is 14:13-14). He also declared that he would ascend and be like God in his actions. He wanted to exalt his throne and be a great one. We all know what God thinks of the prideful.
All we need to do is listen to the globalists openly describe their monstrously arrogant plans to deindustrialize the west. They hide nothing. They declare coming pandemics before any evidence of their existence can be found. They think their outrageous success in pulling off the covid scam has now made them invincible.
Jer 46:9 Come up, ye horses; and rage (boast, make a show), ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians (Cush) and the Libyans (Phut), that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
The Cushites were the Ethiopians of the upper valley, at this time subject to Egypt. Phut was a son of Ham (Gen 10:6). The Lydians, or Ludim, are of Ham, and descended from Mizraim (Gen 10:13). Egypt had their mercenary armies all lined up, specialists in various weaponry. Sounds like Nato today, on paper a formidable force.
Their legions would of looked and sounded the part of champions. We shall see that God is not impressed.
Jer 46:10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice (zeh-bakh) in the north country by the river Euphrates.
Uh oh. God has declared this a day of judgment. When this occurs, all bets are off. Normal rules don’t really apply. It’s not the size of your army, or the sophistication of your weapons. Judgment day means God intervention day. God is in a vengeful mood. His sword is thirsty, and it will so immerse itself in the blood of the Egyptians so as to be compared with someone imbibing til drunken. God has declared a sacrifice. But this time it’s a sacrifice of human flesh. Egypt’s sins are about to be recompensed. All the mercenaries in the world will not help Egypt one bit.
Jer 46:11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured (your wound will not be healed).
Gilead was famous for producing balm and healing gums (Jer 8:22). God taunts Egypt to go and try every cure known to man, all of it will be for naught. Sort of like the utterly blinded in the world today, who keep lining up to take every booster offered, even though they keep getting sicker and sicker with each dose.
God mockingly calls Egypt a virgin, in reference to them believing that they have never really been conquered. It could also have an indirect reference to their effeminate luxury that they wallowed in. If anyone should know about effeminate luxury, it is North America today.
Jer 46:12 The nations (goy) have heard (shama) of thy shame (kaw-lone – dishonor, reproach), and thy cry (screech of anguish) hath filled the land: for the mighty man (gibbor) hath stumbled against the mighty (gibbor), and they are fallen (naphal) both together.
Egypt’s spectacular defeat will be broadcast far and wide. They will no more be feared. Their champions, who once evoked such dread, are fallen over one another like drunken men. They will be falling over one another to get away from the enemy. Even so today, despite the herculean efforts of the censorship machinery, America’s total defeat in Ukraine cannot be hidden any longer, and their shame is being broadcast far and wide.
Jer 46:13 The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.
We have now a second distinct prophecy against Egypt. The exact time is not given, but it is not unreasonable to assume that it may of occurred around the same time as Ezekiel gives his lengthy 4 chapter prophecy that came to pass in the 16th year after the destruction of Jerusalem (570 BC, Ezekiel chapters 29 through 32). Nebuchadnezzar was promised Egypt as payment given for the lengthy time he spent in assaulting Tyre, as wages for his army. Sometimes God allows some invasion for a purpose that may not be primarily related to the country at hand, or for any obvious reason. This is why it is foolish and futile to make judgments on certain situations if God has not revealed his plans and purposes to you. He is God, we are not.
Jer 46:14 Declare ye in Egypt, and publish (shama) in Migdol (tower), and publish (shama) in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.
The idea is that this prophecy should be published throughout Egypt. These 3 cities are specifically mentioned because these are the 3 cities which the Jews primarily settled when they fled Judah (Jer 44:1). God is not so much warning them to prepare for war because you will be able to win, but just know and realise that judgment is coming. You can stand fast all you want, but this sword that I am sending is not something that man can sweep aside.
Jer 46:15 Why are thy valiant (chiefest, stoutest) men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them (pushed them down, cast them out).
You can send the best of the best. You can gather all the patriots, all the freedom fighters, all the truckers, all the farmers, all the conservatives and go march on your capitols. However, if God decides to not be on your side, you cannot win. Unless the Lord fights the battle, the battle is already lost.
Jer 46:16 He made many to fall (totter, waver, stumble, faint), yea, one fell (naphal) upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again (shoob) to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the (face of) oppressing sword.
When God shows up to fight against you, all your hired guns will start shoobing away from the battle just as fast as they can. Egypt’s mercenaries saw which way the wind was blowing, and quickly deserted the battlefield. They weren’t there to be slaughtered on someone else’s behalf.
Canada had the truckers. America had January 6th. In both cases, God did not show up to fight on our side. Many fell, and are still falling, one after the other. Notice how no significant protest has occurred in either country since then. You can say its pure cowardice. You can also say that its prudence, as no one wants to have their individual life destroyed if no real benefit springs up from it. Unless and until God decides to fight on our side, all our human efforts will be in vain. And God is not switching sides until we meet his conditions – humility and repentance.
Jer 46:17 They did cry there (they called out), Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise (is destroyed) ; he hath passed (crossed over) the time appointed (mo-aw-daw – the fixed time or season).
All nations and rulers have appointed times. When it is over, it is over. Not before, and not after. Just as God had appointed times for yearly festivals, and appointed times to each age, so each king and kingdom has an appointed time. Prayer may extend or shorten a time, but not much else. Egypt’s ruler, and even Egypt itself would never rise to the same stature it previously had.
We can take comfort that no matter how grievous our current rulers are, they have a fixed time and cannot exceed that boundary set by God.
Jer 46:18 As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.
These are 2 of the greatest mountains in Israel. As they are vary conspicuous, so Nebuchadnezzar will be seen as a high towering force that cannot be overcome. He will be as unstoppable as these 2 mountains are immovable.
Jer 46:19 O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.
Noph (Memphis) is to be left as a depopulated city. Egypt needs to prepare herself not for a revival, not for a rescue, not for a miraculous restoration, but for exile. Like Egypt, the body of Christ in the west should make proper preparations for the judgment that has now come and will only increase.
Jer 46:20 Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.
This is most likely as allusion to their bull god Apis. The main intent is that Egypt was fat and prosperous, like the Christian west of today. As destruction was certain for Egypt, so it is certain for us. Does our downfall come from the north? North is the direction used for judgment. Whichever direction it comes from, it is coming and has come. I think it’s more accurate in our situation to say that judgment has come from every direction. From inside our nations, and from outside. From China, and from Islam. From our educational system, and our medical. From our government, and from our media. From the internet, and from our local leaders. From law enforcement, and from our army. Nothing but judgment, judgment, and more judgment.
Jer 46:21 Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation (reckoning).
Barnes notes on the bible states:
Rather, “Also her hirelings in the midst of her are like calves of the stall.” The mercenaries of Egypt – Nubians, Moors, and Lydians (Jer 46:9) – were destroyed at the battle of Carchemish, and their place was taken by hirelings from Asia Minor, Carians, and Ionians, whom Hophra took into his pay to the number of 30,000 men. These he settled in the midst of Egypt, in the fertile lands above Bubastis, in the Delta, where, well paid and fed and with great privileges, they became as calves of the stall. Their mutiny cost Hophra his crown.
Our day of calamity has also come up on us. The time of our visitation draws near.
Jer 46:22 The voice thereof shall go like a serpent (nachash); for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
Most commentators think the voice of the serpent refers to Egypt. They think that it used to bellow like a bull in its boast, but will be reduced to hissing as it is defeated. I don’t agree with that view, as the rest of the verse and the verse after clearly speak of the Babylonians. I see this as Babylon approaching in stealth, like the original nachash (satan). He comes to steal, kill and destroy, and so does Babylon with their men and their army. As a woodsman comes against a forest with their axes, so Babylon comes against the people of Egypt with their weapons to hew them down.
Jer 46:23 They shall cut down (kaw-rath – cut a covenant) her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched (penetrated); because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable.
The phraseology refers to the density of Egypt’s cities, which cannot be counted they are so densely packed. There were more than a thousand of these cities at this time, according to sources. Nebuchadnezzar would cut a swath through these densely packed cities, even though at first glance it would seem they couldn’t be penetrated. He will be able to do this because of the size of his army. Just as the locust, tiny in individual size and harmless, yet indestructible and utterly devastating in its swarm, so will Babylon’s innumerable host be.
We face an innumerable host of the enemy in the spirit realm. The demons unleashed upon our lands seem beyond count. Yet unlike Egypt, who had no defense, we have the cross and the blood and the name to fight those that personally come against us today.
Jer 46:24 The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded (ashamed, confused, wither away); she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.
Pretty self explanatory verse. When the hand of God strikes, much confusion arises. People have no idea what is going on. Are not most people totally bewildered today as to what has happened to our world? Are not most withering away, both physically and psychologically? Why all of a sudden they ask, is everything falling apart?
I want to briefly touch on this idea of calling Egypt a daughter. It may be simply explained by a mundane reason, such as a figure of speech. God calling Egypt weak and defenceless like a daughter. I think there is a little more to it than that, as he does not refer to all nations with such familiarity. One of the strangest, most baffling prophecies is found in Isaiah:
Isa 19:19 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
Isa 19:20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
Isa 19:21 And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.
Isa 19:22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.
Isa 19:23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
Isa 19:24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:
Isa 19:25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
God calls Egypt his people! How can this be? In what sense is this true?
I really cannot say with any degree of certainty. Like Ezekiel’s Millennial temple, this is one of the bible’s great mysteries, that I don’t believe has been unlocked yet. My best guess is because the Hebrews had such an intimate and long history and association with the Egyptians, they have almost become adopted relations of some sort. Since Egypt has played such a large part in Israel’s history, so God has taken a special interest in them.
Not only do we have this entire chapter devoted to Egypt, but there are 4 chapters in Ezekiel that describe prophetic judgments on it! The only other 2 nations that garner such significant space are Tyre and Babylon. Tyre does not have that much interaction with Israel, but Babylon does. Yet I believe all 3 play a concrete role in serving as types and patterns of worldly kingdoms that the believer needs to study in order to discern their types in our world today.
Egypt refers to the old man and to the old life. The pleasures of the world. Babylon refers to more than one type. It represents the one world government, as in the tower of Babel. It represents the instrument of judgment, as in Nebuchadnezzar punishing the nations of the earth, including Judah. It represents the great harlot at the end of the age, according to Revelation, and which many believe to be America today. Tyre seems to be a type of the cabal. It may be a type of the British empire, and the banking system that evolved from it. It would represent the merchant system of control that entities like the WEF and IMF dominate.
While Tyre and Babylon are destined for total destruction, Egypt, and surprisingly Assyria, have verses that promise survival in some form and even a measure of God’s blessing.
Mystery upon mystery. It is perfectly ok to not have all the answers. It is time for all true ministers of the gospel to put aside their pride and admit when they do not have an answer.
Jer 46:25 The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish (visit) the multitude of No (Ammon of No), and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him:
Ammon (Jupiter) had a temple at No (Thebes). God is including the specific name of one of the chief deities of Egypt. He makes a special point in this verse to not only mention the nation and its ruler, but the elohim (gods) that rule this land. Everyone that trusts in these elohim shall be punished.
Jer 46:26 And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.
We see here at the last verse of Egypt’s judgment, that there is a promise of partial restoration (see also Is 19:21-25, Ez 29:11-16). This is another proof verse that God retains a measure of affection for the Egyptians. Forth years after the conquest of Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus freed them in measure, though it never has regained its former prowess. The land may of been emptied, but it will be populated once more.
Jer 46:27 But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed (break down in confusion and fear), O Israel: for, behold, I will save (yaw-shah) thee from afar off (far in place and/or time), and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return (shoob), and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.
Jer 46:28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct (chastise) thee in measure (mishpat – judgment); yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished (I will not consider you entirely guiltless).
These last 2 verses are almost an exact repetition of Jer 30:10-11. Jeremiah must of added these perhaps to allay the fear of the exiles who had rebelliously decided to stay in Egypt, contrary to God’s explicit command. Even in their continual rebellion, God prompted Jeremiah to remind them that yes, I have punished you but no, I will not totally annihilate you.
They must of been terrified as they saw the same Babylonian army approach Egypt that had just destroyed Judah. They may of given up all hope. God had every right to of totally abandoned them, since they deliberately chose to disobey the word of the Lord. However God’s anger does not last forever, but his mercy does. He wants to give these exiles some assurance that they will not go extinct, at the very least.
God stated in verse 26 that he will destroy Egypt, but will allow it to be repopulated. In verse 28, God says he makes a full end of every nation where the Jews have been driven, which would include Egypt. How do we reconcile the two? Verse 26 does not say that the nation of Egypt would be restored in any form or fashion as a power, only that it would be repopulated. Verse 28 says the nation will never rise again. Thus we have Egypt existing in name only, full of people, but cannot be looked upon as any real kingdom. It is but a shadow of its previous greatness. Another example where we must be precise in our reading and interpreting the word of God.
God will save Israel from afar off. This can mean far in place or time. God would send his son from heaven. While redemption was offered a few hundred years after the Babylonian captivity, it will take until the end of our age before he actually saves physical Israel, when they shall look upon him whom they have pierced.
Solitary Man
https://solitaryman.substack.com/
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