David Bahn – Reflections

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Today’s readings: Jeremiah 46-48, Psalm 74.

Jeremiah 46:25-28

 The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, said: “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him. ²⁶ I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their life, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Afterward Egypt shall be inhabited as in the days of old, declares the Lord.

²⁷ “But fear not, O Jacob my servant,
    nor be dismayed, O Israel,
for behold, I will save you from far away,
    and your offspring from the land of their captivity.
Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,
    and none shall make him afraid.
²⁸ Fear not, O Jacob my servant,
declares the Lord,
    for I am with you.
I will make a full end of all the nations
    to which I have driven you,
    but of you I will not make a full end.
I will discipline you in just measure,
    and I will by no means leave you unpunished.”

These are difficult chapters to read. One nation after another is called to account for pagan worship and dishonor of the LORD God. He will judge them and bring destruction upon them, exposing how powerless their gods, armies, and alliances really are. Egypt will not be a safe place to hide. Philistia will be laid low. Moab will suffer from one end of the land to the other.

So we have it: Egypt—to which the people of Judah had fled—is no safe sanctuary. Whether they saw it as a last resort or an obvious place of refuge, it will prove no stronghold. Egypt’s defenses will fail, and its armies will retreat before Babylon.

A much shorter oracle announces judgment against the Philistines, particularly Gaza and Ashkelon. An invading army from the north—probably Babylon—is pictured as an overwhelming flood. Babylon’s military might will overwhelm them, but even Babylon is serving God’s purposes.

Then comes Moab. Jeremiah isn’t merely saying, “Moab will fall.” He moves almost town by town across the landscape, creating the impression that there will be nowhere to escape God’s judgment. Nearly twenty cities and locations are named. Moab will suffer throughout the land.

All this shows that the LORD God is no local deity. He is not simply another choice on a list of gods to whom people may call. His dominion is over all. His judgments reach far and wide. Even a pagan nation like Babylon can serve his purposes of judgment against sin.

But two bright spots shine through these dark chapters. Against the backdrop of judgment and destruction come rays of grace and mercy. The promise of Judah’s deliverance shines against the impending doom: “Fear not, O Jacob my servant” (Jeremiah 46:27). And, most surprisingly, the oracle against Moab ends with a promise: “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 48:47).

How will this happen? The word sword appears repeatedly in these chapters. God’s judgment against sin is vivid and brutal. As I read, I thought of Jesus—scourged, mocked, tortured, crucified, and pierced by a spear. I think of Jesus telling Peter to put away his sword. And I think of something deeper still: on the cross Jesus willingly bore God’s judgment against sin. I cringe as I consider what our redemption cost. But I also realize that the judgment he bore is the judgment my sin deserves. God gave his own Son to redeem a world bent on seeking other gods and pursuing its own good apart from him.

The judgment our sin deserves has fallen on Christ. Our fortunes are restored in him. The sword of judgment does not have the last word. Jesus does. All who trust in him are saved. Thanks be to God.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.