But wait, there's more... Egypt and Judgment (Jeremiah 46)

  Truth and Consequences: 

A study in the prophecy of Jeremiah

Chapter 46

By Bob Mendelsohn

Given 4 November 2022

 

Lesson Forty-five: Egypt is really in trouble 

 

INTRODUCTION

 If this were a late-night commercial, what’s called an infomercial, by 9 minutes through, after showcasing the major product, the announcer shifts and tells the insomniac audience, “…but wait, there’s more!” If you haven’t yet been grabbed by the need you have for that gymnasium equipment, the lawn care products, or food processor, what the announcer tells you about will surely get you over the line. Or so the company hopes. 

After 45 lessons about Judah, about kings and princes, about refugees and escapees, Jeremiah now turns his attention to the nations. But wait, there’s more!

In today’s episode, Egypt is in focus, not the historical Egypt of Ramses and Moses, nor the modern Egypt of Mubarek and Sadat, but the Egypt of the days of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. What words might you have used to define the land after reading chapter 46? 

It’s fitting that this section of Jeremiah’s prophecy is set after chapter 45, although the Septuagint relocates this several-page-international prophecy to after the middle of chapter 25. There are reasons of course for either, but I like what has been done here, as we ended last week with the Judeans in Egypt, so it’s fitting that we pick up the story with the nation of Egypt.

In the weeks to come we will unpack the other nearby nations and then finish with Babylon. Remember, Babylon is the enemy, the one that is invading from the east and north, and the one that is despised by the Jewish people. And because Jeremiah has been predicting the conquest by Babylon of our people and the eventual exile for 70 years there, his own people have tried to withstand the fulfilment of those words. It’s fitting then that the one who seems the most pro-Babylon should finish his prophecy with a clear prediction of Babylon’s demise. He’s not a champion for that godless nation; he’s a champion for the living God.

OK, with that as our pathway ahead, let’s unpack chapter 46.

First things first. The chapter falls into two sections based on the timing of the prophecies. First takes place in the year of the battle of Carchemish. The year is 605 BCE. We learned last week this is also the 4^th year of the rule of King Jehoiakim. That battle was between Egypt and Babylon and Babylon wiped the floor with Egypt. Even though Jeremiah had been prophesying for 20 years by then, most of his people did not imagine that Babylon would win, and would be replaced. Look, it’s like in these days if a new power near the previous leader would establish himself in a heartbeat. 

Verse 3 sounds a call to war. Get your gear, team leader Jethro Gibbs would say to his NCIS team, and it sounds the same here. Large and small shields, take everything. The comparison of the battle here with Josiah seems intentional; I will be referencing it only. Josiah as you might remember failed in his battle a few years earlier, and was even killed at Megiddo. In this prophecy, Egypt reminds the listeners that Josiah had tried to withstand Assyria and Domestic. He failed, Egypt won. Until this season. Here the prediction is that a shift is taking place in political and military power in the region. Babylon will dominate. 

Verse 4, end says, “Put on the scale-armor!”

I had no idea what that was, and the word is not often used in Scripture.  The scale armor (סריון, siryonot related to Akk. siriam, šbiriam) was a leather coat reinforced with overlapping metal pieces or scales made for soldiers, horses, and chariots (see Weippert, “Panzer,” 248).

Verse 5, why have I seen it? It’s likely this was written to Jehoiakim back in Judea and that Jeremiah is saying that you should not put your confidence in Egypt or even yourself. Again a reminder to give up and surrender, to Babylon. A warning which we will not heed. 

You have heard this phrase in verse 5 “Terror on every side” It was used of Pashhur who had Jeremiah put in stocks in chapter 20. Jeremiah was really upset at him and said “Your name is not Pashhur, but it’s terror on every side.” That’s a very odd name, you know? Think of calling someone who annoys everyone, “Trouble.”  Or “Your Highness” to someone who thinks they are royal, as a derisive word. 

Jeremiah labels the Egyptians as “terror on every side” as if to say, you are going down. Verse 6 he declares the ending of the Egyptians. You have to imagine this would please them very well. Remember every year on Passover how we rejoice about escaping from that land. And now some of our people are boasting about escaping TO that place. 

So we read in verses 7 and following the laughable boast of Egypt. “Rises like the Nile” is a symbol of pride and arrogance. Never a good thing, is it? And of course, Egypt thought itself a military presence and indominable.  Compare verse 11 as Judah will experience the same failure and lack of healing, even from a balm in Gilead. 

Verse 8, some commentators mention the “Many waters” representing like Isaiah said, the nations surrounding them. (Is. 17.12-14) The nations which oppose God that is. 

Altogether the opening prophecy is a dire warning in its day. And Egypt surely did fail in 605 BCE.

The allies of Egypt are called on the carpet as well, including Ethiopia which is labelled here Cush, and Put which is likely Libya. Others are listed as well, and the author is trying to say that no one can help. None can support. Even Lydians who are working on the bow by putting their foot or arm on it to assist in its bending.

Verse 12 summarizes the failures of alliances. “Both of them have fallen down together.”

The 2^nd prophecy begins in verse 13. It is likely after the fall of Jerusalem and relates to Nebuchadnezzar’s victory. This is the word from Jeremiah.

 Remember Jeremiah had predicted Egypt’s fall back in chapter 43. Here we see a rundown of all the places where Nebuchadnezzar had sustained the victory.  It feels like the nightly news and the Ukrainian scenes where Russia had spent itself. 

In fact Chris Wright says, “the prophecy takes the form of a taunt song.” (page 421)

You see that in verse 17, where the two kings are contrasted. Pharaoh Neco vs the King of all Kings. No real comparison except that others had trusted the little king. 

Verse 19, get your suitcase out of the closet. You are headed out. You are not safe here. Even as far as Memphis, you will not survive. 

Verse 21, the taunt continues chiding them like fattened cattle who turn back. I’ve seen cattle do a runner, leaving home and paddock, and then Jeremiah switches to serpent, to the woman, the daughter of Egypt. Friends, no one gets a hall pass; everyone is guilty. Everyone will be punished, but wait, there’s more. 

Verse 26 says, “afterward, it will be inhabited as in the days of old.” WHAT? God will let Egypt be, again, as long as people in those days will submit to him. 

In verse 27, again Jeremiah is channelling God’s words to his people Judah. It’s another one of those hopes, independent of our own actions; it’s why I love God so very much. He is ever hopeful for us! Double hopeful. Don’t fear. Twice he says it. 

Yes, we will be taken, but wake up, your kids and grandkids will survive and they will be secure. Back from captivity. You will win. They will win. Why?

Verse 28, “For I am with you!”

Next week the Palestinians! Or rather the Philistines. Stay tuned.

 

CONCLUSION

God is calling each of us to know him and to walk with him, today and throughout our days. Have you received Yeshua as your messiah and Lord? He is risen from the dead! Have you renounced your sin, your idolatry, your forsaking God and given him First Place in your life? If not, please, do so now, just now, as we pray together. Use your own words, if you want, but yield, surrender, to the Lord of life. 

 

PRAYER

Then please write us (admin@jewsforjesus.org.au) to tell us what you have just done, and we will send you literature and encourage you. You are part of our family; we love and appreciate you. And we want you to enjoy the presence of the Lord who calls, who knows, who blesses and builds us up. 

We hope to see you again next week as we study chapter 47. Until then, Shabbat shalom!

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barnes, Albert, Commentary on the Old Testament. (Published by many, from 1880 on)

Henry, Matthew, Commentary.

Keown, Gerald, Scalise, Pamela, Smothers, Thomas, Word Biblical Commentary. Book of Jeremiah (Part 2).  1995. 

McConnville, Gordon, Jeremiah, New Bible Commentary. 

Wright, Christopher, The Message of Jeremiah, The Bible Speaks Today. Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 2014.

 

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ACTUAL TEXT

 Defeat of Pharaoh Foretold

 

Jer. 46:1   That which came as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.

 

Jer. 46:2   To Egypt, concerning the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was by the Euphrates River at Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:

³     “Line up the shield and ¹buckler, and draw near for the battle! ⁴  “Harness the horses, and mount the steeds, and take your stand with helmets on! Polish the spears, put on the scale-armor! ⁵ “Why have I seen it? they are terrified, 

they are drawing back, and their mighty men are defeated and have taken refuge in flight, 

without facing back; Terror is on every side!” 

declares the LORD.

 

⁶     Let not the swift man flee, nor the mighty man escape; in the north beside the river Euphrates they have stumbled and fallen.

⁷     Who is this that rises like the Nile, like the rivers whose waters surge about?

⁸     Egypt rises like the Nile, 

      Even like the rivers whose waters surge about; and He has said, “I will ^arise and cover that land; I will surely destroy the city and its inhabitants.” ⁹        Go up, you horses, and drive madly, you chariots, that the mighty men may march forward: Ethiopia and Put, that handle the shield, and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow. ¹⁰        For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of hosts, A day of vengeance, so as to avenge Himself on His foes; and the sword will devour and be satiated and drink its fill of their blood; for there will be a slaughter for the Lord GOD of hosts, in the land of the north by the river Euphrates.

¹¹     Go up to Gilead and obtain balm, O virgin daughter of Egypt! In vain have you multiplied remedies; there is no healing for you.

¹²     The nations have heard of your shame, and the earth is full of your cry of distress; for one warrior has stumbled over ¹another, and both of them have fallen down together.

 

Jer. 46:13   This is the ¹message which the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to smite the land of Egypt:

¹⁴     “Declare in Egypt and proclaim in Migdol, 

      Proclaim also in Memphis and Tahpanhes; 

      Say, ‘Take your stand and get yourself ready, for the sword has devoured those around you.’

¹⁵     “Why have your mighty ones become prostrate?   They do not stand because the LORD has thrust them down.

¹⁶     “They have repeatedly stumbled; 

      Indeed, they have fallen one against another. then they said, ‘Get up! And let us go back to our own people and our native land 

      Away from the sword of the oppressor.’

¹⁷     “¹They cried there, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a big noise; He has let the appointed time pass by!’

¹⁸     “As I live,” declares the King whose name is the LORD of hosts, “Surely one shall come who looms up like Tabor among the mountains, or like ^dasCarmel by the sea.

¹⁹     “Make your baggage ready for exile, O daughter dwelling in Egypt, For Memphis will become a desolation; It will even be burned down and bereft of inhabitants.

²⁰     “Egypt is a pretty heifer, 

      But a horsefly is coming from the north — it is coming!

²¹     “Also her mercenaries in her midst are like fattened calves, for even they too have turned back and have fled away together; They did not stand their ground. for the day of their calamity has come upon them, The time of their punishment.

²²     “Its sound moves along like a serpent; 

      For they move on like an army and come to her as woodcutters with axes.

²³     “They have cut down her forest,” declares the LORD; “Surely it will no more be found, Even though they are now more numerous than locusts and are without number.

²⁴     “The daughter of Egypt has been put to shame, given over to the ¹power of the                                                                                                                                 people of the north.”

 

Jer. 46:25   The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says, “Behold, I am going to punish Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt along with her gods and her kings, even Pharaoh and those who trust in him. ²⁶ “I shall give them over to the power of those who are seeking their lives, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of his ²officers. Afterwards, however, it will be inhabited as in the days of old,” declares the LORD.

 

Jer. 46:27       “But as for you, O Jacob My servant, do not fear, nor be dismayed, O Israel! 

For, see, I am going to save you from afar, and your descendants from the land of their captivity; and Jacob will return and be undisturbed and secure, with no one making him tremble.

²⁸     “O Jacob My servant, do not fear,” declares the LORD, 

      “For I am with you. for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you, Yet I will not make a full end of you; But I will correct you properly and by no means leave you unpunished.”