Read Jeremiah 46:1-12
As we delve into chapters 46-49 we see that God dishes out judgement upon the nations. Interestingly, God uses the prophet Jeremiah to speak the word of judgement. This is in full accord with Jeremiah’s initial calling.
In Jeremiah 1:5 God called Jeremiah
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
In chapter 25 Jeremiah was called to take the cup of the Lord’s wrath to the emissaries who were in Jerusalem and to proclaim to them the judgment coming upon the entire world. These chapters were no doubt once linked to chapters 46-49.
The section on the judgment of nations begins with Egypt (also first on the list in chapter 25!), the land that initially enslaved the Hebrews and kept them from worshipping God for about 400 years. See Genesis 15:13. God and Pharaoh engaged in a mammoth battle (The book of the Exodus) in which Yahweh knocked Pharaoh to the canvas and brought His people to Himself out of the land of slavery.
The message concerning Egypt begins with a historical time marker that, according to non-Christian historians is thoroughly accurate. Amazingly, many people write off the Bible as non-historical even though it has been proven to be accurate time and time again.
God calls the nation to prepare for war (vs 3-4) but immediately we see defeat and demise (vs 5-6). Why was Egypt so quickly and utterly defeated? Verses 7-8 suggests it’s because of her pride and arrogant desire to rise up and rule the world, apart from the one true ruler of the world, Yahweh Himself.
That day of judgement belongs to the Lord (vs10), called the Lord, God of Hosts (as opposed to the NIV’s The Lord Almighty). The God who commands the armies of angels, the forces of the entire heavenly host, will come against Egypt and will thrash her to pieces.
Unfortunately we are not told in the immediate context why the nations are being judged. But in Jeremiah 25:14 we read
“They themselves will be enslaved by many nations and great kings; I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.”
Given the history of the Scriptures we can know for certain that after the fall of Genesis 3, all peoples, all family groups and all nations have deviated from the way of the Lord and deserve judgement. No one and no nation in the world is deserving of God’s blessing and goodness since the fall.
God declares, in total righteousness, that He will judge the nations but a mega plan of salvation is also in full swing. We’ll find out this weekend what that mega-plan entails.
Prayer:
Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for
Adoration:
Confession
Thanks
Supplication:
· Pray that yesterday’s outreach services in Warwick, Westbrook and West Toowoomba would have great impact in the lives of those who attended. Pray that God would use each of these services to bring many into His kingdom.
· Pray that you would be able to share the grace of God with 3 other people who don’t know grace this week. Share with your group the list you have and agree to pray for each others’ lists.
1. Discuss what you know about Egypt from the Scriptures. See if you can make a detailed list.
2. Is God justified in bringing judgement against the nations? Why or why not?
3. How would you explain this judgment of the nations to a non believer?
P r e p a r a t i o n f o r C e l l
Read this week’s
passage and jot down any problems or issues that come to mind about the passage,
it’s application or meaning to you and/or your church.
O n Y o u r O w n
Key Words/Phrases Jeremiah 46-49
Use this space to write down and define key
words/phrases. Look for repetition and biblical themes from other parts of the Bible.
P r e p a r a t i o n f o r C e l l
After your cell
has met, jot down the solutions you found.
P r a y e r
Prayer:
How does this
passage lead you to pray in terms of
Adoration: Confession Thanks Supplication:
Non
Believers to be Praying for
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