Judgment on Egypt and the Nations

Jeremiah 46:1-12 

1 The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the nations. 2 Against Egypt.

Concerning the army of Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, which was by the River Euphrates in Carchemish, and which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:

3 "Order the buckler and shield,
And draw near to battle!
4 Harness the horses,
And mount up, you horsemen!
Stand forth with your helmets,
Polish the spears,
Put on the armor!

5 Why have I seen them dismayed and turned back?
Their mighty ones are beaten down;
They have speedily fled,
And did not look back,
For fear was all around," says the LORD.

6 "Do not let the swift flee away,
Nor the mighty man escape;
They will stumble and fall
Toward the north, by the River Euphrates.

7 "Who is this coming up like a flood,
Whose waters move like the rivers?
8 Egypt rises up like a flood,
And its waters move like the rivers;
And he says, 'I will go up and cover the earth,
I will destroy the city and its inhabitants.'

9 Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots!
And let the mighty men come forth:
The Ethiopians and the Libyans who handle the shield,
And the Lydians who handle and bend the bow.

10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts,
A day of vengeance,
That He may avenge Himself on His adversaries.
The sword shall devour;
It shall be satiated 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 to Gilead and take balm,
O virgin, the daughter of Egypt;
In vain you will use many medicines;
You shall not be cured.

12 The nations have heard of your shame,
And your cry has filled the land;
For the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty;
They both have fallen together."

The mighty nation of Egypt whom Judah had fled to for protection from Babylon as God’s avenging sword, this land would fall as the rest.  God’s word was given through Jeremiah to Egypt and all nations set against God’s people, even as they sinned and ran from Him, to the honor and glory of His name and them as the chosen nation to bring deliverance to others as He called and chose.  The army of the pharaoh was in Syria had been defeated before by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:29, 24:7) and would be subdued once more for harboring renegade Judah who fled for protection instead of seeking shelter under God’s wing.  The mighty Egyptian army would amass all its military forces to once more vainly attempt to defend against Babylon but would give up hope and be turned back in fear by God’s hand moving against them.  This was the word of the LORD spoken against them.  There would be no escape as they stumbled and fell, for the tide would turn against the flood of Egyptian dominance and destruction over the nations.  Mighty men from other lands as mercenaries in the army of Egypt (Nahum 3:9; Ezekiel 30:5) would rage against Babylon and thus against the LORD because He was using king Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument of war with them.  The day of reckoning with God was at hand, bringing His vengeance on His enemies and shedding their blood as if a sacrifice.  There would be no cure for them, only shame at their defeat.  Strong men fought against each other and all lost because they strived against the sovereign LORD who is King of all and defender of His people and His own honor and glory.  None can fight against the LORD and win.  Egypt would fall in their pride and God’s people held to account for trusting in chariots and horses (Isaiah 31:1, Psalm 20:7) instead of Him in willing obedience of faith.  There is judgment coming on all opposed to God and His Anointed Son.  Who do we trust for our defense?