In Today's Email:
Jeremiah 46 Notes
In this chapter are prophecies concerning two defeats of the Egyptians.
vs. 1-12 – Jeremiah prophesies of the Battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C. where the Egyptian army under Necho II and the remnants of the Assyrian empire were soundly defeated by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar (who was only a prince at this time). This defeat basically kept Egypt from interfering with Babylonian affairs.
vs. 13-26 – Since the previous prophecy in this chapter, Nabopolassar has died and Nebuchadnezzar inherited the throne. This prophecy concerns Nebuchadnezzar invading and defeating Egypt. This occurred in 568-567 B.C.
vs. 27-28 – Words of comfort to the Jews in captivity when Egypt is defeated. The mighty nations would fall but God would restore Israel.
Jeremiah 47 Notes
In this chapter are prophecies concerning the Philistines
vs. 1-7 – The prophesied defeat of the Philistines occurred in 604-603 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar invaded after they had rebelled against Babylon. The Philistines retained their identity in captivity for a while before fading away. The land was resettled by others.
Jeremiah 48 Notes
In this chapter are prophecies against Moab.
vs. 1-19 – Desolation and mourning would fill the cities of Moab when judgment came. Their god Chemosh could not protect them. Babylon would defeat them in in 582 B.C. and take them captive.
vs. 20-46 – A description of the humiliation of Moab.
vs. 47 – Moabites returned to their ancestral territory under Cyrus the Great. By the time of the New Testament these people had lost their identity. However, God promises that they will be restored in the “latter days” of prophesy as allies of the Jews in the Millennial Kingdom.
Closing Thoughts
One of the reasons we can trust unfulfilled prophecy is because of fulfilled prophecy. Jeremiah spoke of events in the near future for him and we can see history play out exactly as he said. I like to think of prophecy as “pre-written history”. Be sure that every word and every detail of this will occur exactly as God said.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “Peace, Troubled Soul”, written by Walter Shirley. Shirley was a friend of Whitefield and the Wesleys. As you can probably imagine, there are not many songs related to today’s reading. The reason I chose this one is because it mentions the balm of Gilead that is mentioned in Jeremiah 46:11.
Peace, troubled soul, whose plaintive moan
Hath taught each scene the note of woe;
Cease thy complaint, suppress thy groan,
And let thy tears forget to flow;
Behold, the precious balm is found,
To lull thy pain, and heal thy wound.
Come, freely come, by sin oppressed;
On Jesus cast thy weighty load;
In Him thy refuge find, thy rest;
Trust in the mercy of thy God:
Thy God's thy Saviour--glorious word!
For ever love and praise the Lord.
As spring the winter--day, the night,
So peace thy gloom wall chase away,
And smiling joy, a seraph bright,
Shall tend thy steps and near thee stay;
While glory weaves the immortal crown,
And waits to claim thee for her own.