disobedience to God's word. This was also forget that one deed of kindness to His
JEREMIAH 39:1 1036
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken into. 3 And all the officials of the king of Babylon, Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, NergalSharezer, Rabmag, with all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon, came in and sat at the Middle Gate. 4 And it came about when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the warriors saw them, that they fled and went out of the city at night, by way of the king's garden, by the gate between the two walls; and he went out on the road to the Jordan valley.
the officials of the king of Babylon, 14 sent and took Jeremiah out of the courtyard of the prison, and entrusted him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should take him home. So he lived among the people.
15 Now the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah when he was shut up in the courtyard of the prison, saying, 16 "Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: See, I will bring to pass my words on this city for disaster, and not for good; and on that day they will be fulfilled in front of you. 17 But I will deliver you in that day, says the LORD, and you will not be given into the hands of the men whom you fear. 18 For I will certainly deliver you, and you will not fall by the sword, but your life will be like plunder for you, because you have put your trust in me, says the LORD.'"
5 But the Chaldeans' army pursued them, and caught up to Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and when they seized him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment on him. 6 Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes. The king of Babylon also killed all the officials of Judah. 7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him off to Babylon.
The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard let him go from Ramah, where he had taken him bound in chains among all those of Jerusalem and Judah being carried away captive, who were being exiled to Babylon. 2 And the commander of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, "The LORD your God proclaimed this disaster on this place. 3 Now the LORD has brought it about, and done just as he said. This thing has come on you because you sinned against the LORD, and did not obey his voice. 4 And now, see, I am loosing you today from the chains which are on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come; and I will look after you well. But if it does not seem good to you to come with me to Babylon, then don't come. See, the whole land is before you. Go wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go." 5 Then before he left, he said, "Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and live with him among the people; or go wherever it seems convenient to you to go." So the commander of the guard gave him provisions and a present, and let him go.
8 And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9 Then Nebuzaradan, the commander of the guard, carried away captive into Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, and those who had defected, who defected to him, with the rest of the people who remained. 10 But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left some of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and at the same time gave them vineyards and fields.
11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave a command concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, saying, 12 "Take him and look after him well, and do him no harm, but do for him just as he tells you." 13 So Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, and Nebu-Shasban, Rabsaris, and Nergal-Sharezer, Rabmag, and all
the prophet was free in spirit to serve God. 39:1-10 2 Kings 25:1-21; 2 Chron 36:1520. This was the sad penalty for Jerusalem's disobedience to God's word. This was also a vindication of Jeremiah as a prophet of God. 39:11-14 The cruel conquerors showed far more mercy to Jeremiah than his own people had. How far Israel had fallen from God's standards of justice, mercy, fair-dealing, compassion, ethics and morality! Their shame and disgrace at the hands of their enemies was all deserved. 39:15-18 God was ruling in the affairs of
men, controlling the activities of Babylon's armies, bringing destruction on His own people and city. Yet He did not overlook a single individual who trusted Him, did not forget that one deed of kindness to His prophet. This is a part of the greatness and goodness of God (Heb 6:10; Matt 10:42). 40:2-6 This officer from a far place and another religion had more understanding of what had been happening than the priests, prophets, and rulers of God's people in Jerusalem! And he treated God's true prophet with far greater kindness than they had (39:11-14).
1037 JEREMIAH 41:10
6 Then Jeremiah went to Mizpah to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.
16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, "You shall not do this thing, for you are speaking falsely about Ishmael."
7 Now when all the officers of the army who were in the fields, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, women, and children, and some of the poor of the land, among those who had not been carried away captive to Babylon, 8 then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah. They were Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite. They and their men came. 9 And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, swore to them and to their men, saying, "Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you. 10 As for me, look, I will live at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, who will come to us. But as for you, you gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your storage vessels, and live in your cities that you have taken over."
Now it came about in the seventh month that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal family and of the officials of the king, came with ten men to Mizpah to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, and there in Mizpah they ate bread together. 2 Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and with the sword struck and killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. 3 Ishmael also killed all the Jews who were with him at Mizpah, that is, with Gedaliah, and the Chaldeans who were found there, the soldiers.
4 And it so happened on the second day after he had killed Gedaliah, without anyone knowing it, 5 that some eighty men from Shechem, from Shiloh and from Samaria, with their beards shaved and their clothes torn, having made cuts on themselves, came with offerings and incense in their hands, to bring them to the house of the LORD. 6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went along; and it came about when he met them that he said to them, "Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam." 7 And it happened when they came into the middle of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the men who were with him, killed them and threw them down into the pit. 8 But ten men were found among them who said to Ishmael, "Do not kill us, for we have hidden stores of wheat and barley and oil and honey in a field." So he refrained and did not kill them with their brethren. 9 Now the cistern where Ishmael had thrown all the dead bodies of the men he had killed because of Gedaliah, was the one which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel; and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with those who had been killed.
11 Likewise when all the Jews who were in Moab and among the Ammonites and in Edom, and who were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan over them, 12 all the Jews returned from all the places where they had been driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and gathered an abundance of wine and summer fruits.
13 Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the officers of the army who were in the fields, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, 14 and said to him, "Are you well aware that Baalis the king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to kill you?" But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam did not believe them.
10 Then Ishmael took away captive all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah, the king's daughters and all the people who remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam; and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah took them captive and left to go over to the Ammonites.
15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, "Please let me go, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he kill you, causing all the Jews who are gathered around you to be scattered, and the remnant in Judah to perish?"
40:7 Ahikam had served good king Josiah and had shown kindness to Jeremiah (26:24). Gedaliah followed in his father's footsteps. 40:16 Gedaliah, as so many leaders in every generation, lacked discernment. He rudely rejected the word of the man who was telling the truth and trusted the man who was plotting to kill him. This cost him his life (41:2). The ability to discern the
character and truthfulness of those we deal with is a gift of God – one we all need to seek. See 1 Kings 3:9-12. Without it we may ignorantly bring much harm to ourselves and to God's work. 41:1-15 In chapter 24 God revealed to Jeremiah that those left behind by the Babylonians would be like bad figs (24:8). For the most part they were without spiritual life or the fear of God. These verses record
JEREMIAH 41:11 1038
11 But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the officers of the army who were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done, 12 they took all the men and went out to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great pool in Gibeon. 13 Now it happened when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah and all the officers of the army who were with him, that they were glad. 14 So all the people whom Ishmael had taken away captive from Mizpah turned around, came back and went to Johanan the son of Kareah. 15 But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.
4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, "I have heard you. See, I will pray to the LORD your God in accordance with your words; and it will be that whatever answer the LORD gives you, I will declare it to you. I will keep nothing back from you."
5 Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not act in accordance with everything which the LORD your God sends us by you, 6 whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send you, so that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God."
7 And ten days later it came about that the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah. 8 Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the officers of the army who were with him, and all the people from the least to the greatest, 9 and said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your request before him: 10 If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you up, and not tear you down, and I will plant you, and not uproot you, for I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought on you. 11 Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Do not be afraid of him, says the LORD, for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand. 12 And I will show mercy on you, so that he may have mercy on you, and cause you to return to your own land.
16 Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the officers of the army who were with him took all the rest of the people from Mizpah whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, after he had killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the mighty warriors and the women and the children and the eunuchs whom he had brought back from Gibeon, 17 and they departed and stayed at the dwelling place of Kimham, which is near Bethlehem, going on the way to Egypt, 18 because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
Then all the officers of the army, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, came near 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, "Please let our plea be acceptable to you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, and for this whole remnant (for we remain only a few out of many, as you can see), 3 that the LORD your God will show us the way in which we should walk, and the thing that we should do."
13 "But if you say, 'We will not live in this land,' disobeying the voice of the LORD your God, 14 saying, 'No! But we will go to the land of Egypt, where we will not see any war or hear the sound of the trumpet, or be hungry for bread; and we will live there,' 15 Then in that case hear the word of the LORD, you remnant of Judah. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: If you definitely set your faces to go into Egypt, and do go to settle
what we might expect from such people. 41:16-18 Running away from trouble is all some people can think of. God did not tell them to go to Egypt. But in any case, as the next chapter reveals, they did not have a mind to do what God said. 42:1 This whole chapter and the first three verses of the next chapter give an illustration of self-deception in praying for God's will. All the people together with their leaders were involved in this sad affair. They thought they wanted God's will (v 2), they asked for prayer that they might know it (v 3), and evidently they were convinced of their willingness to obey it (v 6). But when God revealed His will they refused to do a single thing He told them. Obviously they hoped that God would tell them to do only what they wanted to do anyway. 42:4 "I will declare. . .I will keep nothing
back" – 1:17; Ps 40:10; Acts 20:20,27. This is what the true servant of God must do. If he hides the truth from others because of fear, or the desire for popularity, he will be harming both them and himself. 42:5,6 These words sound very humble, very submissive. But let us compare them with Ex 19:8; 24:3,7, and let us remember Jer 17:9 and apply the lesson of this chapter to ourselves. 42:7 Jeremiah would not speak until He got God's message, and it took ten days to receive an answer from God. Years may pass before God answers some prayers. 42:8-18 Nothing could be more plain, more solemn than this message. 42:12 1 Kings 8:50. When God has compassion on us He can and will cause men to show compassion toward us, and the compassion they show should cause us to
1039 JEREMIAH 43:12
there, 16 then it will happen that the sword, which you fear, will overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, which you fear, will follow you closely there in Egypt; and there you will die. 17 So it will be with all the men who set their faces to go to Egypt to settle there. They will die by the sword, by famine, and by the plague, and none of them will remain or escape from the disaster that I will bring on them. 18 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Just as my anger and my fury were poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so will my fury be poured out on you when you enter Egypt; and you will become an oath, and an object of astonishment and cursing and scorn; and you will see this place no more.
settle there,' 3 but Baruch the son of Neriah is setting you against us, to deliver us into the hands of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, or carry us away as captives to Babylon."
4 So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the officers of the army, and all the people, disobeyed the voice of the LORD telling them to live in the land of Judah. 5 But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the officers of the army, took the whole remnant of Judah that had returned from all the nations where they had been driven to live in the land of Judah, 6 men, women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah, 7 and they went to the land of Egypt; for they did not obey the voice of the LORD. So they came to Tahpanhes.
19 "The LORD has said concerning you, O remnant of Judah, Do not go to Egypt. Know for a certainty that I have warned you this day. 20 For you dissembled in your hearts when you sent me to the LORD your God, saying, 'Pray for us to the LORD our God. Declare to us all that the LORD our God says and we will act accordingly.' 21 And now today I have declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, or anything which he has sent to you by me. 22 Now therefore know for a certainty that you will die by the sword, by famine, and by the plague, in the place where you desire to go and settle."
8 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, 9 "Take large stones in your hand, and hide them in the clay in the brick kiln which is at the entrance of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah, 10 and say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: See, I will send and get Nebuchadrezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne on these stones that I have hidden; and he will spread his royal canopy above them. 11 And when he comes, he will defeat the land of Egypt and deliver those who are for death to death, and those who are for captivity to captivity, and those who are for the sword to the sword. 12 And I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt; and he will burn them, and carry them away as captives. And he will wrap Egypt around himself as a shepherd wraps his garment
And it so happened when Jeremiah finished speaking to all the people all the words of the LORD their God, which the LORD their God had sent to them by him, all these words, 2 that Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, spoke up, saying to Jeremiah, "You are telling a lie. The LORD our God has not sent you to say, 'Do not go to Egypt to
recognize God's compassion to us. 42:19-22 Jeremiah adds his personal loving exhortation to the people. But God has enabled him to discern the true state of their hearts (v 20). All the time they were waiting for God's will to be revealed to Jeremiah they were (possibly unconsciously) determined to have their own way. This is just one more example among a great many in the Bible of what fallen human beings are like. We may think we want to know and do God's will when actually we only want God to tell us to do what we want to do. 43:1,2 What is in the heart will eventually come out. Men under the control of their sinful nature will usually do what they please regardless of God's promises or warnings, or the pleadings of God's servants. 43:2 "Proud" – how hard it is for proud people to submit in simple faith to God's word! Pride and a sinful heart are the real reasons for the attacks of critics on the Bible. It is the cause of much unbelief among men with its
resulting disobedience. This is why the Lord Jesus spoke as He did in Mark 10:15.
"You are telling a lie" – they had no evidence for this. The simple fact of the matter is God's word to them was against what they wanted to do, and so they denied that God had spoken. The sinful heart will always try to find a way to deny that God has forbidden what it craves. 43:3 Perhaps they thought it safer to blame Baruch than Jeremiah. 43:4-7 They acted on their own just as if God had never spoken. 43:7 Tahpanhes was probably in the northeast region of Egypt. 43:8-13 God was revealing to the people that there would be no safety for them in Egypt. In their unbelief and disobedience they were fleeing from one disaster into another. There was no nation on earth at that time able to successfully resist the Babylonian armies. 43:12 "Wrap Egypt around himself" – this
JEREMIAH 43:13 1040
around himself; and he will depart from there in peace. 13 He will also break the idols of Beth-Shemesh that are in the land of Egypt, and burn the temples of the gods of the Egyptians with fire.'"
among all the nations of the earth. 9 Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem? 10 They are not humbled even to this day, and they have not been afraid, nor walked in my law or in my statutes that I set before you and before your fathers.
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews living in the land of Egypt, living at Migdol and at Tahpanhes and at Noph and in the country of Pathros, saying, 2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You have seen the whole disaster that I have brought on Jerusalem, and on all the cities of Judah; and, see, today they are a desolation, and no one lives in them, 3 because of their evil which they did, provoking me to anger by going to burn incense, and to serve other gods, which they did not know, neither they, nor you, nor your fathers. 4 However I sent to you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, 'Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate.' 5 But they did not listen or incline their ear to turn from their wickedness, and to burn no incense to other gods. 6 Therefore my fury and my anger were poured out, and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they became ruined and desolate, as at this day.
11 "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: See, I will set my face against you for disaster, and to cut off all Judah. 12 And I will take the remnant of Judah that set their faces to go to the land of Egypt to settle there, and they will all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they will be consumed by the sword and by famine. They will die, from the least to the greatest, by the sword and by famine, and they will become an oath, and an object of astonishment and cursing and scorn. 13 For I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by famine, and by the plague, 14 so that none of the remnant of Judah, who has gone into the land of Egypt to settle there, will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, where they desire to return to live; for no one will return except a few refugees."
7 "Therefore now thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Why do you do this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and infant from Judah, to leave you no one remaining? 8 You are provoking me to wrath by the works of your hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt where you have gone to live, causing you to be cut off and to become an object of cursing and scorn
15 Then all the men who knew that their wives burned incense to other gods, and all the women who stood by, a great crowd, all the people who were living in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, 16 "As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you. 17 But we will certainly do whatever comes out of our own mouth,
probably means that Egypt will be completely in his control to do with as he pleases. 44:1 "Noph" – another name for Memphis. "Pathros" – a name for what is called "Upper Egypt", the southern part of the country. 44:2 "You have seen" – God wants people to learn lessons from what they see taking place in the world (3:7,10; Deut 3:21,22; Josh 23:3; Luke 21:28). 44:3 1:16; 11:17; 19:4; 32:32. Idolatry was the chief cause of God's anger against them. 44:4 "Abominable thing" – idolatry (see Deut 7:25,26; 27:15; Isa 44:19). The true and holy God of the Bible hates it utterly, fiercely, eternally. Again and again He pleaded with His people not to engage in it. 44:5 7:26; 25:4; 35:15. 44:6 7:20. Notes on God's anger at Num 25:3; Ps 90:11-14. 44:7-10 They saw with their own eyes what had happened. Would they not learn their lesson, repent, and turn to God? The evil in human nature is not so easily overcome. See Rom 1:32. 44:8 "Egypt" – this suggests either that they
had been in Egypt for some time before this message came to Jeremiah, or that there were already some Jews living in Egypt who had been engaging in the worship of the gods there.
"Causing you to be cut off" – according to the Bible the worship of idols brings destruction on those who practice it (Ex 22:20; Deut 17:2-5; Hos 13:2,9; Rev 21:8). In the case of the Jews living in Egypt God reveals to them in vs 11-14 just how He will cause this to happen. He had given the same warning in the land of Judah (42:17,18). 44:15-18 The people leave no doubt that they intend to do just what they please. They loved their idols and after them they would go, regardless of what anyone, including God, said. This reveals again the desperate wickedness of the human heart. Compare Rev 9:20,21 – when the whole world is being punished and is heading for disaster at the end of this age mankind will still not give up its beloved idols.
"Pathros" – v 1. 44:17,18 They give their reasons for
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burning incense to the queen of heaven, and pouring out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our officials, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then had we plenty of provisions, and were well off, and did not see any disaster. 18 But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven, and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything, and have been consumed by the sword and by famine."
all you of Judah who are in the land of Egypt. 25 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You and your wives have spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, 'We will surely perform the vows that we have vowed to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her.' You will surely fulfil your vows, and surely perform your vows. 26 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who live in the land of Egypt. See, I have sworn by my great name, says the LORD, that my name shall no more be invoked in the mouth of anyone of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, 'The Lord God lives.' 27 See, I will watch over them for disaster, and not for good; and all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will be consumed by the sword and by famine, until there is an end of them. 28 Yet a small number who escape the sword will return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah, and the whole remnant of Judah, that has gone into the land of Egypt to settle there, will know whose words will stand, mine, or theirs.
19 And the women added, "When we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her, without our men?"
20 Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people who had given him that answer, saying, 21 "The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you, and your fathers, your kings, and your officials, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and did it not come into his mind? 22 So the LORD could no longer bear it, because of your evil deeds and because of the abominations which you committed. Therefore your land is a desolation, and an object of astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant; as it is to this day. 23 Because you have burned incense, and because you have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD or walked in his law, in his statutes, or in his testimonies, this disaster has happened to you; as it is to this day."
29 "And this will be a sign to you, says the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that my words will surely stand against you for disaster: 30 Thus says the LORD, See, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies, and into the hands of those who seek his life, just as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who sought his life."
The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words from the mouth of Jeremiah in
24 Moreover Jeremiah said to all the people, and to all the women, "Hear the word of the LORD,
clinging to idol-worship. It is a reason men everywhere will give. They thought their goddess was giving them prosperity and guarding them from harm. Their worship was rooted in selfishness. They cared nothing for God or for what God said in His word; they were not concerned with truth or the ethics of the matter. And they praised the goddess for what the true and living God Jehovah had done. Little did they realize that it was their worship of her, and not the renouncing of her worship, that would bring death and destruction to them. This story has been repeated again and again even in our days. 44:19 According to the Bible the husband was to be the head of the house and to be responsible for what took place there. These men knew of the false worship of their wives and did nothing. So they shared their guilt. 44:20-23 Jeremiah tries to use the facts of their recent history to appeal to their reason. But when people are determined to do as they please facts and reason are as nothing to them.
44:24,25 Their abominable idolatry was not enough for them. They actually made solemn vows to continue it. 44:26 Those who reject the truth of God and run after idols have no business swearing by His name. 44:27 Let us learn from this that God, seeing the behavior of individuals or groups or peoples or even nations, will sometimes determine to do them harm rather than good. This fact alone should bring men to their knees seeking God's mercy. 44:28,29 "Whose words will stand" – in the world today there is the Bible, the Word of God, and there are innumerable books of men which contain their thoughts, hopes and predictions in opposition to God's word. By fulfilling His word to the letter (Matt 5:18) God will show which will stand – His word or theirs. 44:30 This was fulfilled in 570 BC. Hophra was killed by rivals for the throne. 45:1 The smallest chapter in Jeremiah but containing a great lesson for all of us.
"When he had written" – 36:1-4.
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a book, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying, 2 "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: 3 You said, 'Woe to me now! For the LORD has added grief to my sorrow. I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.'
and stand forth with your helmets. Polish the spears, and put on the armour. 5 Why have I seen them dismayed and
turning back? And their mighty ones are beaten down,
and are rapidly fleeing, and not looking back, because fear was all around,
4 "You shall say this to him: 'Thus says the LORD: See, I will break down what I have built, and I will uproot what I have planted, this whole land. 5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For, see, I will bring disaster on all flesh, says the LORD. But I will give your life to you like plunder every place you go.'"
says the LORD. 6 Do not let the swift run away,
or the mighty man escape; they will stumble and fall toward the
north at the River Euphrates.
7 "Who is this coming up like a flood,
The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles, 2 against Egypt, against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah:
like rivers of surging water? 8 Egypt rises up like a flood,
and like rivers of surging water. And he says, 'I will go up and cover the earth. I will destroy the city and its inhabitants.' 9 Come up, you horses, and drive madly,
you chariots, and let the mighty men come out,
3 "Set in array the large shield and the
small shield, and draw near to battle. 4 Harness the horses; and get up,
the Ethiopians and the Libyans who
handle the shield, and the Lydians who handle and bend the bow.
you horsemen,
Let us see that God's command to Baruch is for us too, and learn always to be God-seekers, not self-seekers. Let us seek great things for Christ and not for ourselves. And let us learn and apply the truth of Matt 10:38,39. We have reason to think Baruch listened to God's word. He remained Jeremiah's faithful assistant (32:1,12,13; 43:3,6 – both of these events took place many years after the event in chapter 45). 46:1 See 1:10; 25:17; 27:3. In chapters 46-51 Jeremiah is engaged in his ministry as prophet to the nations. He records God's revelation concerning ten places and nations. They were all in a large area from Egypt, southwest of Israel, to Elam east of Israel beyond the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. In these chapters God shows again that He is sovereign over all nations, the great king of the universe (note at Ps 47:2). Throughout history He has been actively working to put down or raise up nation after nation. He still does so. 46:2 "Egypt" – except for the closing two verses the rest of this chapter is concerning Egypt.
45:2,3 Baruch's association with Jeremiah in the ministry brought him much trouble and sorrow. God has never promised an easy, trouble-free life to His prophets and servants – in fact, quite the contrary (Jer 1:19; Matt 10:17; John 15:18-21; 16:33; Acts 9:15,16; 14:22). In this service for God they all learn sooner or later what sorrow, groaning and difficulties are. Judging from v 5 Baruch was tempted to escape from his trouble by seeking a position that would bring him some personal honor and peace. Baruch's brother Seraiah was later an officer in the time of king Zedekiah (51:59), and for all we know, occupied some important position before that. So perhaps Baruch was tempted to quit God's service with Jeremiah and seek some high place through his brother's influence. 45:4,5 God's just judgments were about to be fulfilled, disaster was coming on the people. It was no time for any of God's servants to be seeking great things for themselves. Actually God's servants should never seek great things for themselves – especially perhaps in our day when there is reason to believe that the end of this age is near, and that God's wrath is soon to bring disaster on the world. God's people selfishly seeking position, money, power, and man's honors is madness. Would it not be madness to be hanging a record of one's honors and greatness on the walls of a house when the house is on fire and the roof is about to collapse? But, alas, it is a madness one sees everywhere. Compare Phil 2:21.
"Carchemish" – in 605 BC at this place the armies of Babylon defeated Egypt's armies. It was one of the most important battles of the ancient world. It broke the power of Egypt in western Asia and made possible the full rise of the Babylonian empire. 46:3-12 This poetical section in vivid symbolic language sets forth Egypt's crushing defeat. 46:9 Soldiers from these regions were in
1043 JEREMIAH 46:27
19 O daughter living in Egypt, prepare yourself to go into captivity,
10 For this day belongs to the Lord God of hosts; it is a day of vengeance,
for Noph will become a waste and
that he may avenge himself on his
desolate without an inhabitant.
adversaries. And the sword will devour, and it will
20 "Egypt is like a beautiful heifer, but destruction is coming. It is coming out of the north. 21 And her mercenaries in her midst are like fattened bulls, but they also have turned back and
be sated and made drunk with their blood. For the Lord God of hosts has a
sacrifice in the north country by
the River Euphrates.
11 "Go up into Gilead and get balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt. In vain you will use many medicines,
fled away together. They did not stand, because the day of
for you will not be cured. 12 The nations have heard of your shame, and your cry has filled the land, for the mighty man has stumbled
their calamity had come on them, and the time of their punishment. 22 Its sound will move along like a serpent; for they will march with an army,
against the mighty, and both of them have fallen together."
and come against her with axes,
like woodcutters. 23 They will cut down her forest, says the LORD, unsearchable though it may be,
13 The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon would come and attack the land of Egypt:
for they are more than
grasshoppers; they are innumerable. 24 The daughter of Egypt will be put to shame. She will be delivered into the hands
14 "Declare it in Egypt,and proclaim it in Migdol, and proclaim it in Noph and in Tahpanhes; say, 'Stand fast, and prepare yourselves,'
of the northern people."
for the sword will devour all around you. 15 Why are your brave men swept away? They did not stand, because the LORD
25 The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "See, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods and their kings, Pharaoh, and all those who trust in him. 26 And I will deliver them into the hands of those who seek their lives, and into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hands of his servants. And afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of old, says the LORD.
drove them away. 16 He made many fall; yes, one fell on another. And they said, 'Arise, and let us go
back to our own people,
and to the land of our birth, from the oppressing sword.' 17 They cried out there. Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a noise. He has passed by the appointed time. 18 As I live, says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, as surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel is by the sea,
27 "But do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, and do not be dismayed, O Israel; for, see, I will save you from a distant place, and your offspring from the land of
their captivity; and Jacob will return, and be at rest
and at ease,
so he will come.
Egypt's armies. 46:10 Was the battle at Carchemish merely a matter between Egypt and Babylon? Not at all. Jehovah God, the Lord of hosts, was there working out His purposes. He was punishing Egypt for its sins. See also note on 25:30-38. 46:13-26 This took place in 568-567 BC, many years after the battle of Carchemish. 46:14 "Noph" – another name for Memphis. 46:16 "Own people" – the speakers are hired soldiers from other regions (vs 9, 21). 46:18 See what God calls Himself here – He is the King. He is the King of the universe, the
real King over all nations. See Ps 47:2. Tabor and Carmel are two mountains in Israel. 46:22 "Serpent" – see Ex 4:3. 46:25 "Multitude" – or "Amon." Amon was the chief god not only of the city of Thebes (No), but of the whole of Egypt during some of its history. God was about to "punish" Amon and all the other gods of Egypt, that is, put them to shame, reveal their powerlessness and nothingness. Compare Ex 12:12. 46:26 God did not plan the complete destruction of Egypt. 46:27,28 30:10,11.
JEREMIAH 46:28 1044
rest, and be still. 7 How can it be quiet, since the LORD has
and no one will make him afraid. 28 Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, says the LORD, for I am with you. For I will make a full end of all
given it a command against Ashkelon,
and against the seashore? There he has appointed it to work. "
the nations where I have driven you, but I will not make a full end of you,
47 48
The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says
but will correct you in measure; for I will not leave you wholly unpunished."
this against Moab: "Woe to Nebo! For it is destroyed. Kiriathaim has been disgraced and captured. Misgab has been disgraced and shattered. 2 There will be no more praise for Moab.
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck Gaza. 2 "Thus says the LORD:
In Heshbon they have plotted disaster for it: 'Come, and let us cut it off from being a nation.' You also will be cut down, O Madmen;
See, waters are rising up out of the north, and will become an overflowing flood,
the sword will pursue you. 3 A sound of crying will be heard from
and they will overflow the land and
all that is in it, the city and those who live in it. Then the men will cry out,
Horonaim, plundering and great destruction. 4 Moab is destroyed.
and all the inhabitants of the land will wail. 3 At the noise of the stamping hooves of
Her little ones have caused their cry to
be heard. 5 For in the ascent to Luhith continual
his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots,
weeping will rise up, for in the descent to Horonaim the
and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers will not look back for their
enemies have heard a cry of destruction. 6 Flee! Save your lives,
children because their hands will be feeble, 4 because of the day that is coming to
and be like a bush in the desert. 7 For because you have trusted in your
destroy all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyre and Sidon
works and in your treasures, you will also be captured,
every helper who remains. For the LORD will destroy the Philistines, the remainder of the country of Caphtor. 5 A shaven head has come on Gaza;
and Chemosh will go into captivity
together with his priests and his
officials. 8 And the destroyer will come on every
Ashkelon is cut off with the rest of their valley. How long will you cut yourself?
city, and no city will escape. The valley too will perish,
6 O sword of the LORD,
how long will it be before you are quiet? Put yourself away in your scabbard;
and the plain will be destroyed, as the LORD has spoken.
47:1-7 The Philistines lived along the coast of the land of Canaan and were enemies of Israel throughout much of their history up to the time of the Babylonian invasion. For other messages concerning them see Isa 14:28-32; Ezek 25:15-17; Amos 1:6-8; Zeph 2:4-7; Zech 9:5-7. God decided to completely obliterate these people from the land of Canaan. They have passed out of existence. There is no mention of them in the New Testament. 47:4 Caphtor is probably the island in the Mediterranean Sea called Crete today. Tyre and Sidon were important cities on the coast north of the Philistines. 47:5 Gaza and Ashkelon were two of the most important Philistine cities. 48:1 This whole chapter predicts in poetic language the destruction of the land of Moab. In it we can learn much about God's reign over the earth. Moab was located due
east of Judah and the Dead Sea. Its people were descended from Abraham's nephew Lot (Gen 19:36,37). The destruction predicted here occurred probably during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
"Nebo", "Kiriathaim" – both these towns at one time belonged to Israel (Num 32:3,37,38; Josh 13:19). Moab had claimed them for itself.
"Misgab" – the word means "stronghold." 48:2 "Madmen" – the name of a town in Moab. It sounds like the Hebrew word that means "be silenced." 48:2-6 Heshbon also had once belonged to Israel (Num 32:37; Josh 13:17). The locations of these other towns are not known. 48:7 Any individual, any people, anywhere, anytime, who trust in their own works and wealth will come to a sad, hopeless end (Ps 52:5-7; Luke 12:15-21).
"Chemosh" – the national god of Moab,
1045 JEREMIAH 48:29
9 Give wings to Moab, that it may flee
come down from your glory,
and get away; for its cities will be desolate,
and sit on the thirsty ground ; for the destroyer of Moab will come on
you and will destroy your strongholds. 19 O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and see! Question him who is fleeing and her
without anyone to live in them.
10 "Cursed be he who does the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he who keeps his sword
who is escaping, and say, 'What has happened?' 20 Moab is put to shame, for it is shattered. Wail and cry. Tell in Arnon that Moab is ruined, 21 And judgment has come on the land of the plain, on Holon, and on Jahazah,
back from blood.
11 "Moab has been at ease from his youth, and he has settled like wine on his dregs, and not been emptied from vessel to vessel; nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his flavour remains in him,
and his aroma has not changed. 12 Therefore, see, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will send to him those who tilt bottles, and they will tilt him over and empty
and on Mephaath, 22 And on Dibon, and on Nebo, and on Beth-Diblathaim, 23 And on Kiriathaim, and on Beth-Gamul, and on Beth-Meon, 24 And on Kerioth, and on Bozrah, and on all the cities of the land of
his jars and break his bottles. 13 And Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed
Moab, far or near. 25 Moab's horn is cut off, and his arm is broken, says the LORD. 26 Make him drunk, for he exalted himself against the LORD. Moab will also wallow in his vomit,
of Bethel their confidence.
14 "How can you say, 'We are mighty and strong men for the war?' 15 Moab is destroyed, and has gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men have gone
and become an object of derision. 27 For was not Israel an object of derision to you? Was he found among thieves, for you to
down to the slaughter, says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts. 16 The calamity of Moab is coming soon, and his affliction comes quickly. 17 All of you around him, mourn for him, and all of you who know his name say, 'How the strong staff is broken,
shake your head when you speak of him? 28 O you who live in Moab, leave the cities, and live among the rocks, and be like the dove that makes her
nest in the sides of a cave's mouth.
the beautiful rod!'
29 "We have heard of the pride of Moab
18 "You, daughter, who live in Dibon,
shame regarding their idol at Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-33; Hos 10:15; Amos 5:5,6). The worship of Israel there did not keep them from destruction and exile. 48:15 "The King" – 46:18. 48:18 "Dibon" – a town once in Israel's possession, then in Moab's hands. 48:19,20 Aroer was a town on the banks of the Arnon river. 48:21 The plateau of Moab is about 3000 feet above sea level. 48:25 Horn and arm signify authority, power, strength. 48:26,27 Here are two further reasons why Moab would be destroyed. It defied God and it ridiculed God's people. Moab will be treated as it treated others (Zeph 2:8-10). This is a principle seen in many places in God's Word. The cup of God's anger will make them senseless and fainting (see 25:15-17,21). 48:29 A further reason for Moab's destruction (Prov 6:16,17; 11:2; 16:18; 18:12;
pronounced Key-mosh. In 1 Kings 11:7,33 and 2 Kings 23:13 he is called a detestable, vile god. He was very like Molech, the god of the Ammonites (note at Jer 7:31). In the destruction of Moab he was no more able to save himself or the people than they were. 48:10 "Deceitfully" – or "laxly" or "carelessly". How important it is for every Christian worker to keep this warning in mind whatever his work.
"Blood" – this word refers, of course, only to the destruction of Moab and its people at that time. But always when God uses others as an instrument for punishing individuals or peoples He wants the work done thoroughly. Compare Ex 32:25-29. 48:11 Moab as a nation had had a comparatively easy time. 48:13 Verse 7. They will be ashamed because Chemosh will be proved to be a helpless, useless, dead god. The northern kingdom of Israel experienced the same
JEREMIAH 48:30 1046
(he is exceedingly proud), his self-exaltation and his arrogance
because the riches that he has gotten
have perished. 37 For every head will be shaved bald, and every beard cut off. There will be cuts on every hand,
and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart. 30 I know his excessive rage, says the LORD, but it is useless; his lying boasts will not accomplish anything. 31 Therefore I will wail for Moab, and I will cry out for all of Moab. My heart will mourn for the men of Kir-Heres. 32 O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for you like the weeping for Jazer. Your branches have gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer. The destroyer has fallen on your
and sackcloth around the waist. 38 There will be lamentation everywhere, on all the housetops of Moab,
and in its streets, for I have broken Moab like a jar that
I have no pleasure in, says the LORD. 39 They will wail, saying, 'How it is broken down! How Moab has turned his back with shame!' So Moab will be an object of derision
and dismay to all those around him.
summer fruits and on your vintage. 33 And joy and gladness has been taken from the fruitful field,
40 "For thus says the LORD: See, he will fly like an eagle,
and from the land of Moab; and I have caused the wine to fail
and will spread his wings over Moab. 41 Kerioth will be taken, and the strongholds will be surprised, and in that day the hearts of the
from the winepresses. No one will trample the grapes with shouting. Their shouting will not be shouts of joy.
mighty men in Moab will be like the
heart of a woman in labour. 42 And Moab will be destroyed as a people, because he has exalted himself against
34 "From the cry of Heshbon to Elealeh and to Jahaz they have made their voice
heard, from Zoar to Horonaim, like a three-year old heifer, for the waters of Nimrim also will
the LORD. 43 Fear and the pit and the snare will be on you, O inhabitant of Moab,
become desolate. 35 Moreover I will put a stop in Moab, says the LORD, to him who offers on the high places,
says the LORD. 44 He who flees from the fear will fall into the pit, and he who gets out of the pit will be
captured in the snare; for I will bring on it, on Moab,
and to him who burns incense to his gods. 36 Therefore my heart will sound for Moab like flutes, and my heart will sound like flutes for
the year of their punishment,
says the LORD.
the men of Kir-Heres,
45 "Those who fled stand under the
29:23; Jam 4:6). Moab's pride was well known (Isa 25:10,11; Zeph 2:8,10). But what reasons for pride did Moab have? The founder of their nation was the offspring of an incestuous relationship (Gen 19:36,37). Their god was vile and they sometimes sacrificed their children in the fire to him; they were never a large or strong or wise or righteous nation. Let us learn from this that human pride does not need any outward circumstances to feed on. People who have least reason to be proud sometimes have more pride than anyone else. And pride, a dark and destructive force, lurks in the hearts of all men until it is dealt with in the presence of God. 48:30-39 In this remarkable section God, who was bringing justly deserved destruction on Moab, expresses His great sorrow over them. This was a people other than His people Israel, who were often enemies of Israel. Still God could not see their destruction without pain in His heart. To punish men for their many
sins and great evils God justly causes armies to march on earth and through them brings much bloodshed, destruction, and misery. But He groans when He has to do it (v 31), His compassionate heart makes mournful noises like the sad notes of a flute (v 36 – flutes were often played by mourners at funerals). Compare Luke 19:41-44. 48:35 This is the fifth reason why God determined to destroy Moab (the other reasons are in vs 7,26,27,29). They had other gods besides Chemosh. Idolaters do not usually stop at one god. 48:37 Signs of mourning (16:6). 48:38 Notice the Lord's words "I have broken Moab." He both broke and groaned and lamented at the breaking. 48:40 Deut 28:49; Ezek 17:3,12. Nebuchadnezzar and his army. 48:42 Verse 26. 48:44 "Year of their punishment" – 11:23; 23:12. 48:45,46 Num 21:28,29.
1047 JEREMIAH 49:10
4 Why do you glory in the valleys,
shadow of Heshbon without strength; but a fire will come out of Heshbon,
your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? You who trusted in your treasures,
and a flame from inside Sihon, and will devour the forehead of Moab,
saying, 'Who will come to me?' 5 See, I will bring fear on you,
and the crown of the head of the
riotous ones. 46 Woe to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh perish;
says the Lord God of hosts,
from all those who are around you; and every one of you will be driven out
for your sons are taken as captives,
headlong, and no one will gather the fugitives. 6 But afterwards I will bring back the
and your daughters as captives.
47 "Yet I will bring back the captives of Moab in the latter days, says the LORD."
captives of the children of Ammon,
Thus far the judgment on Moab.
says the LORD."
7 Concerning Edom thus says the LORD of hosts:
Concerning the Ammonites thus says the
"Is wisdom no longer in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished? 8 Flee! Turn back!
LORD: "Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then does their king inherit Gad,
and his people live in his cities? 2 Therefore, see, the days are coming,
Live in the deep places,
O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring on Esau the calamity due to him,
says the LORD, when I will cause an alarm of war to
the time when I will punish him. 9 If grape pickers came to you,
be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it will become a desolate heap, and its daughters will be burned with fire. Then Israel will be the heir of those
would they not leave some gleaning
grapes? If thieves came at night,
who were his heirs, says the LORD. 3 Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is ruined.
they would destroy only until they
have enough. 10 But I have made Esau bare. I have uncovered his secret places, and he will not be able to hide himself. His offspring and his brethren and his
Cry out, you daughters of Rabbah! Tie on sackcloth! Lament, and run to and fro by the walls! For their king will go into captivity,
together with his priests and his officials.
48:47 Moab was destroyed as a nation (v 42). But some of its people survived. The time of the restoration of Moab is not given. This word may be fulfilled during Christ's future reign on earth. 49:1-6 Other messages concerning the Ammonites are Ezek 25:1-7; Amos 1:1315; Zeph 2:8-11. The land of Ammon was north of Moab, east of the Jordan river. The Ammonites were related to the Moabites, being descended, as they were, from Abraham's nephew Lot (Gen 19:36-38). 49:1 "Their king" – or "Malcom", another name for Molech god of Ammon. The Hebrew word means "king", but here it may be taken as a name of a false god, sometimes written "Molech", sometimes "Malcom", sometimes "Milcom." Note at Jer 7:31.
"Ai" – not the city in Joshua chapter 8. "King" – or "Molech." This god would prove as worthless and powerless as Chemosh of Moab (48:7). 49:4 God here calls a people other than Israel "daughter". He uses this same phrase concerning Judah in 31:22.
"Treasures" – 48:7. 49:6 "Bring back the captives" – or "restore the well-being." 49:7-22 Other messages concerning Edom are Isa 21:11,12; Ezek 25:12-14; Amos 1:11,12; Obad 1-16; Mal 1:3-5. Edom was located south of Moab, south of the Dead sea. Edom's people were descended from Esau, Jacob's brother (Gen 36:1,9). 49:7 "Wisdom" – Edomites were famous for worldly wisdom.
"Gad" – the territory of the Israelite tribe of Gad east of the Jordan river (Josh 13:2428). After the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel the Ammonites took possession of Gad's territory. 49:2 Rabbah was the chief city of the Ammonites. Today the capital of the kingdom of Jordan is located in the same place. 49:3 "Heshbon" – 48:45.
"Teman" – one of Edom's important towns. One of Job's friends, Eliphaz, was from there (Job 2:11). 49:10 "No more" – God determined to leave no survivors whatever among the Edomites, unlike His purpose for the Moabites and Ammonites (Obad 18. For the reason for this severe judgment of God see Ezek 25:12-14; Obad 10-14).
JEREMIAH 49:11 1048
And who is that shepherd who will
neighbours are ruined, and he is no more. 11 Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive. And let your widows trust in me.
stand before me? 20 Therefore hear the plan of the LORD that he has devised against Edom, and his purposes that he has formed
12 "For thus says the LORD: See, those who were not sentenced to drink from the cup have assuredly drunk; and are you the one who is to go altogether unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but you will surely drink it. 13 For I have sworn by myself, says the LORD, that Bozrah will become a desolation, a reproach, a wasteland, and a curse, and all its cities will be wastelands forever."
against the inhabitants of Teman. Surely they will draw away the least
of the flock; surely he will make their pastures
desolate by them. 21 The earth is shaken at the noise of their fall, the noise of their cry is heard at the
Red Sea. 22 See, he will come up and fly like an eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah; and on that day the heart of the
14 I have heard a message from the LORD, and an ambassador has been sent to
the nations: "Gather together and come against her,
mighty men of Edom will be like the
heart of a woman in labour."
and rise up for the battle. 15 For, see, I will make you small among the nations, and despised among men. 16 The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock,
23 Concerning Damascus:
"Hamath and Arpad are put to shame,
for they have heard bad news and
they are disheartened. There is trouble on the sea;
who hold the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as
it cannot be quiet. 24 Damascus has become feeble, and has turned around to flee,
the eagle, I will bring you down from there,
and fear has seized her. Anguish and pain have seized her,
says the LORD. 17 And Edom will become a desolation. Everyone who goes by it will be astonished, and will hiss at all its plagues. 18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbouring cities,
like a woman in labour. 25 Why has the praised city not been deserted, the city of my joy! 26 Therefore in that day her young men will fall in her streets, and all the men of war will be cut off,
says the LORD, no one will remain there, and no son of man will live in it. 19 See, he will come up like a lion from the flooding of the Jordan against
says the LORD of hosts. 27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it will consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad."
the dwelling place of the strong; but I will make him suddenly run away
28 Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked:
from her. And who is the chosen man whom I
may appoint over her? For who is like me? And who will appoint me the time?
"Thus says the LORD: Arise, go up to Kedar,
and despoil the men of the east.
49:12 25:28,29. 49:13 This Bozrah is not the Bozrah of 48:24, which was in Moab. 49:14-16 See Obadiah 1-4. Like Moab Edom had much pride with little reason for it. 49:18 "Sodom" – Gen 19:24,25. 49:19 God states that He Himself is the one behind the destruction of Edom. The proud rulers of that people would learn that there is no success in resisting the God of Israel, the King of the universe. 49:22 "Eagle" – 48:40. 49:23 Damascus was and is the capital city of Syria. Hamath and Arpad were cities north of Damascus. For other messages concerning
Damascus see Isa 17:1-3 and Amos 1:3-5. 49:25 Damascus even then was an old city (Gen 14:15), famous for beauty. 49:26 "That day" – we cannot be sure exactly what time is referred to here. Isa 17:1 speaks of a complete destruction of Damascus that has not yet taken place. 49:27 God Himself will see to the punishment of Damascus.
"Ben-Hadad" – the king of Damascus in the days of Asa, king of Judah (1 Kings 15:18). 49:28 Kedar was the home of wandering tribes in the Arabian desert (Isa 21:13-15). A son of Ishmael named Kedar probably
1049 JEREMIAH 50:3
29 They will take away their tents and their flocks; they will take their tent curtains,
the four quarters of heaven on it, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there is no nation where those
and all their goods, and their camels for themselves; and they will cry out to them, 'Fear is on every side.' 30 Flee! Go far away! Live in the deep places,
thrown out of Elam will not go. 37 For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before those who seek their life, and I will bring disaster on them,
my fierce anger, says the LORD; and I will send the sword after them,
O inhabitants of Hazor, says the LORD, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has
until I have consumed them; 38 And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from there the king
made a plot against you, and has conceived of a plan against you. 31 Arise, go up to the wealthy nation, which lives without care, says the LORD, which has neither gates nor bars,
and the princes, says the LORD. 39 But it will come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring back the captives
which lives alone. 32 And their camels will become booty, and their many cattle plunder; and I will scatter to all the winds
of Elam, says the LORD."
The word that the LORD spoke against Babylon, against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet. 2 "Declare it among the nations, and proclaim it, and set up a banner. Proclaim it, and do not conceal it. Say, 'Babylon is taken,
those who are in the farthest corners, and I will bring their calamity from
every side of it, says the LORD. 33 And Hazor will become a den for jackals, and a desolation forever. No man will remain there,
Bel has been put to shame,
and no son of man will live in it."
Merodach is broken in pieces. Her idols have been put to shame, her images are broken in pieces.' 3 For from the north a nation comes up
34 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, 35 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: See, I will break the bow of Elam,
against her, which will make her land desolate,
and no one will live in it. They will move, they will depart,
the chief of their might. 36 And I will bring the four winds from
victories (20:4-6; 27:3-7; 46:24). In this chapter and the next he prophesies its defeat and fall. See also 25:12-14,26; Isaiah chapter 13; 21:1-9.
gave his name to this tribe and area (Gen 25:13). This Hazor is not the city of the same name north of the sea of Galilee (Josh 11:1), but an area in the Arabian desert near Kedar. 49:31 The language suggests the people were nomads with no settled towns. There is no promise concerning these people such as we see in 46:26; 48;47; 49:6. 49:33 "Jackals" – see the note at 9:11. 49:34 Elam was the name of a region east of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is today the country of Iran. 49:36 This indicates trouble from every direction. "The four winds" signify forces of destruction sent by God in judgment. 49:38 "Set my throne" – means He will manifest His power and authority over that people. Compare 1:15. 49:39 46:26; 48:47; 49:6; Acts 2:9. "Bring back the captives" – or "restore the well-being." 50:1 Babylonia was the dominant political and military power during much of Jeremiah's ministry. He had seen the rise of Babylon and had spoken God's word concerning its
"Chaldeans" (also in vs 8,25,35,45) – Babylonians. 50:2 "Proclaim" – all the nations should know what God is going to do to Babylon. Jeremiah sent the contents of these two chapters to Babylon itself (51:59-64). "Bel" means Lord. He was the same as Marduk, the chief god of Babylon. Bel was similar to the god Baal worshiped by several nations around Israel and by Israel too at times in their history (7:9; 11:13; 19:5; 23:27). The true God says Bel will be proved as worthless and powerless as the gods of the nations Babylon conquered (48:7; 49:3). Babylon possibly above all nations at that time was a land of many gods and idols (v 38). But all of them put together would be helpless when Jehovah God arose to punish Babylon. 50:3 "From the north a nation" – in Jeremiah this sometimes means the alliance of the Medes and Persians. This nation captured
JEREMIAH 50:4 1050
both man and beast. 4 In those days, and at that time,
O you destroyers of my inheritance,
because you have grown fat like a
says the LORD, the children of Israel will come,
heifer threshing grain,
and you bellow like bulls, 12 Your mother will be greatly disgraced; she who gave you birth will be ashamed. See, she will become the least of the
they and the children of Judah together,
walking along and weeping; they will come and seek the LORD their God. 5 They will ask the way to Zion with
nations, a wilderness, a dry land,
their faces toward it, saying, 'Come, and let us join ourselves to
and a desert. 13 Because of the wrath of the LORD it will not be inhabited,
the LORD in a permanent covenant that will not be forgotten.'
but will be completely desolate. Everyone who goes by Babylon will be
6 "My people have been lost sheep.
astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
Their shepherds have caused them to
go astray. They have turned away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill. They have forgotten their resting place. 7 All who found them devoured them,
14 "Put yourselves in array against Babylon all around. All you who bend the bow, shoot at her,
spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD. 15 Shout against her all around. She has given her hand in surrender ;
and their adversaries said, 'We are not to blame, because they
have sinned against the LORD,
her foundations have fallen, her walls have been torn down; for it is the vengeance of the LORD. Take vengeance on her. Do to her as she has done. 16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and the one who handles the sickle
the habitation of justice, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.' 8 Move out of the midst of Babylon,
and go out of the land of the Chaldeans,
and be like the male goats in front
of the flocks. 9 For, see, I will raise up against
in the time of harvest. Every one of them will turn away to
Babylon an assembly of great nations
from the land of the north,
his people for fear of the oppressing sword, and everyone will flee to his own land. 17 Israel is like scattered sheep. The lions have driven him away. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and at last this Nebuchadnezzar king
and cause them to come; and they will set themselves in array
against her. From there she will be taken. Their arrows will be like those of a
skillful warrior; none will return in vain. 10 And Chaldea will become plunder. All who plunder her will be satisfied,
of Babylon has broken his bones.
18 "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: See, I will punish the king of Babylon
says the LORD. 11 Because you were glad, because you rejoiced,
and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
Babylon in 539 BC (Dan 5:28-31). 50:4,5 3:18; 29:11-14; 30:3; Isa 11:12; Ezek 37:19-23; Hos 1:11.
50:11-13 Here is the reason God was sending destruction on Babylon. That people had plundered God's property (Judah), and had been very happy about it. 50:13 Verses 3, 12, 39, 40. Today Babylon is a heap of ruins. 50:14 "Sinned against the Lord" – the reason for its downfall. 50:15 Men were then used to take vengeance on Babylon because the Lord was using them to take His own vengeance on her. Babylon was being repaid in her own coin – Ps 137:8; Jer 25:14; Rev 18:6. 50:17 Verse 6. 50:18 The capital of Assyria, Nineveh, fell
"Covenant" – 31:31-34; 32:40; 33:20,21. 50:6 Verse 17; 23:1; Isa 53:6; Luke 15:3-7. Their true resting place was God Himself (v 7; Ps 37:7; 90:1; 91:1; 116:7; Matt 11:28,29). 50:7 What Israel's enemies said about them was true, but they were still guilty for devouring them and must face God's judgment. If we are cruel to others God will not accept any excuse we make for it. 50:8-10 51:28,29; Isa 13:4. "Chaldea" – Babylonia.
1051 JEREMIAH 50:35
Woe to them! For their day has come,
19 And I will bring Israel back to his dwelling place, and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul will be satisfied on
the time of their punishment. 28 The voice of those who flee and escape from the land of Babylon
mount Ephraim and Gilead. 20 In those days, and at that time, says the LORD, the wickedness of Israel will be sought for,
declares in Zion the vengeance of
the LORD our God, the vengeance concerning his temple.
and none will be there, and the sins of Judah, and they will not
29 "Call together the archers against Babylon. All you who bend the bow, camp against
be found, for I will pardon those whom I keep.
it all around. Let no one belonging to it escape. Repay her according to her deeds,
21 "Go up against the land of Merathaim, against it and against the
do to her in accordance with all
that she has done; for she has been proud against the LORD,
inhabitants of Pekod. Lay waste and utterly destroy after them,
against the Holy One of Israel. 30 Therefore her young men will fall in the streets, and all her warriors will be cut off
says the LORD, and act in accordance with all that I
have commanded you. 22 A sound of battle and of great destruction is in the land. 23 How the hammer of the whole earth is cut in two and broken! How Babylon has become a desolation
in that day, says the LORD. 31 See, I am against you, O most proud, says the Lord God of hosts, and your day has come,
the time when I will punish you. 32 And the most proud one will stumble and fall, and no one will raise him up; and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all around him."
among the nations! 24 I have laid a snare for you, and you were also caught, O Babylon, and you were not aware of it. You were found, and also captured,
33 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "The children of Israel and the children
because you have fought against the LORD. 25 The LORD has opened his armoury, and has brought out the weapons of
of Judah were oppressed together,
and all who took them captives
his indignation; for this is the work of the Lord God of hosts
held them fast; they refused to let them go. 34 Their Redeemer is strong. The LORD of hosts is his name. He will thoroughly plead their case,
in the land of the Chaldeans. 26 Come against her from the farthest border. Open her storehouses. Pile her up like heaps of grain,
that he may give rest to the land,
and completely destroy her. Let nothing of her be left. 27 Slay all her bulls; let them go down to the slaughter.
but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon. 35 A sword is over the Chaldeans, says the LORD, and over the inhabitants of Babylon,
50:25 "Weapons" – other nations (Isa 13:5). 50:27 Bulls may mean here the soldiers of Babylon. 50:28 "Those who flee" – Jews who escaped from Babylon and returned to Judah.
in 612 BC. Note on Assyria at 2 Kings 15:19. 50:20 This is what God's forgiveness means. It makes the guilty as if they had not sinned at all. See notes on forgiveness and justification at Gen 15:6; Ps 32:1,2; Matt 6:12; Rom 3:21-26; etc. 50:21 Merathaim means "double rebellion." Because of its rebellion against Him (vs 24,29), God may be calling Babylon by this name. Pekod means "punishment" in Hebrew. In Babylonia it was an area just beyond the Tigris River (Ezek 23:23). 50:23 "Hammer" – Babylon was an instrument in God's hands to shatter the nations. Now it would be shattered. Compare Isa 10:5; Jer 51:20-23. 50:24 The Medes and Persians captured Babylon in a surprise attack.
"Vengeance concerning his temple" – 2 Kings 24:13; Jer 51:11; 52:13. 50:29-32 Pride was one of the great sins of Babylon also (48:29; 49:16). An example of it is seen in Dan 4:29,30. 50:33 Compare Ex 5:2; 7:14; 8:32. 50:34 Jehovah God was not defeated when Israel was defeated. He was not weak because they had to weakly submit to their enemies (as those enemies might have thought). The time to show His strength on their behalf was coming.