Jeremiah · chapter 46 of 52
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Jeremiah 46 opens the oracles against the nations (chapters 46-51) with a word against Egypt. It announces the defeat of Pharaoh Neco's army at Carchemish, by the Euphrates, at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, and the later invasion of Egypt. The chapter ends with a promise for Israel: the Lord will save him from far away, will not destroy him completely and will discipline him with justice.
Chapters 46-51 gather the Lord's words against the neighboring nations, a section that appears in another place in the Greek version of the book. They show that Israel's God is not a local deity: he rules over all peoples. The order here does not follow the book's chronology, and so this first oracle goes back to the fourth year of Jehoiakim, before the fall of Jerusalem.
The heading says this is the word of the Lord to Jeremiah concerning the nations. First, against Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco, which was by the river Euphrates at Carchemish and which Nebuchadnezzar defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim. The prophet describes with irony the preparation for battle: shields, horses, spears, and then the opposite picture: the terrified warriors who flee without looking back. He says they cannot escape, because the defeat comes by the Euphrates.
Egypt rises like the Nile, which swells and covers the land, and promises to destroy cities and peoples. But the Lord calls that day a day of vengeance for himself, the day of the Lord, when the sword is sated with blood. The prophet says with irony that Egypt may go up to Gilead for balm, but she multiplies remedies in vain, there is no healing for her. The nations have heard of her shame, and her cry fills the earth.
Then Jeremiah announces that Nebuchadnezzar will come to strike the land of Egypt, and tells them to declare it in Migdol, Memphis and Tahpanhes. Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a gadfly is coming from the north. The mercenaries in her midst are like fattened calves, but they too will flee. Pharaoh is called a noisy one who let the opportunity pass. The Lord will punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh and Egypt with her gods and her kings, and hand them over to Nebuchadnezzar. Afterward Egypt will be inhabited as in days of old.
The chapter ends with a word to Jacob: fear not, my servant, for I will save you from far away and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return and have quiet. The Lord will be with him, will make a full end of all the nations where he scattered him, but will not make a full end of him, and will discipline him in just measure, not leaving him unpunished.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The word against Egypt names Pharaoh Neco and the battle of Carchemish, by the Euphrates, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim. Jeremiah announces real, dated events of history, such as the defeat that shifted the balance of power in the region.
The prophet says with irony that Egypt may go to Gilead for balm, but she multiplies remedies in vain. Gilead was famous for its balm, and the image reminds us that not even the resources of the mightiest nation can cure a judgment that comes from God.
The Lord hands Egypt over to Nebuchadnezzar but adds that afterward it will be inhabited as in the days of old. God does not desire only the fall of nations: his judgment leaves room for restoration, as he will say of other nations in the following chapters.
While announcing judgment on the nations, the Lord comforts Jacob: fear not, I will save you from far away. Though Israel too will be disciplined, he will not be wiped out, and God promises to be with him.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Against Egypt, and in particular against the army of Pharaoh Neco. — Jeremiah 46:2
Answer: At Carchemish, by the river Euphrates, by Nebuchadnezzar. — Jeremiah 46:2
Answer: The Nile, which swells and covers the land. — Jeremiah 46:7-8
Answer: That Egypt multiplies remedies in vain, because there is no healing for her wound. — Jeremiah 46:11
Answer: A beautiful heifer. — Jeremiah 46:20
Answer: To save him from far away, not destroy him completely and discipline him in justice. — Jeremiah 46:27-28
Jeremiah 46 reminds us that no human power has the last word. Egypt seemed great, with an army and a reputation, yet it fell. In a small group you can talk about the things we put our security in, money, a position or strength, and how God calls us to trust him.
The close of the chapter also encourages. Though Israel had to be disciplined, the Lord tells him not to fear. God's discipline is not abandonment. If you are going through a time of correction, remember that God does not leave you and keeps promising to be with you.
The oracle against Egypt opens a series that runs through Judah's neighbors. The next chapter is short and addresses the Philistines, Israel's ancient enemies, with the image of waters rising from the north.
A battle around 605 BC in which Nebuchadnezzar, still crown prince, defeated Neco's Egyptian army by the Euphrates. It shifted the balance of power: from then on Babylon dominated the region, and Judah came under its influence.
Because they affirm that the Lord is God of all peoples and judge of all. For readers in Judah, who saw their own nation fall, it was a reminder that Babylon would not have the last word either and that history does not escape his control.