Jeremiah 46-52: Oracles
Against the Nations
Introduction
1. In chapter twenty-five, Jeremiah was told to take the
cup of God’s wrath to the nations. 25:15-29
2. The book ends with a collection of oracles against the
nations delivered throughout Jeremiah’s ministry.
a. Oracles against the two powers
affecting Judah, Egypt and Babylon, serve as bookends to the section.
b. In between is a collection
of oracles against smaller nations within the vicinity of Judah.
3. Such prophetic oracles against foreign nations are found
in every prophetic book except Hosea.
I.
Analysis of the Text
A.
Against Egypt (46)
1.
Two parts: one predicting defeat at Carchemish (2), the other
Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion (13).
2.
The Egyptians are described as adversaries of the true God who would
sacrifice them. 46:10
3.
Egypt honored false gods and their king as a god, but God would judge
their idolatry. 46:25
B.
Against Philistia (47)
1.
These smaller nations mostly consist of vassals of Babylon who tried to
rebel against its rule.
2.
The judgment on Philistia would be so fierce that parents would abandon
their children. 47:3
3.
Jeremiah did not enjoy such violence, but he understood the necessity and
purpose of it. 47:5-7
C.
Against Moab (48)
1.
The oracle against Moab is by far the longest of these prophecies against
the lesser nations.
2.
Moab was judged for trusting its works, treasures, might, and Chemosh.
48:7, 13, 14-15
3.
Moab had mistreated Israel, was guilty of pride, and had exalted itself
against God. 48:26-30
4.
A lament for Moab is included in this prophecy, either from Jeremiah or
Jehovah. 48:31-36
D.
Against Ammon (49:1-6)
1.
Ammon had conquered the territory of Gad that Jehovah had given to His
people. 49:1-2
2.
They placed their confidence in Milcom (their god) and in their
treasures. 49:4
3.
Three of these prophecies end on a hopeful note with a Messianic tone.
48:47; 49:6, 39
E.
Against Edom (49:7-22)
1.
The wisdom that Edom had once been known for had disappeared. 49:7 cf.
Ob. 1:8; Job 2:11
2.
God’s judgment against them would be thorough, more so than harvesters or
thieves. 49:9-10
3.
Edom trusted in the security of mountains, but they were deceived by
false confidence. 49:16
F.
Against Damascus (49:23-27)
1.
Damascus, the capital of Syria, would be defeated and its palaces burned.
49:26-27
2.
The city that once brought joy to God and was praised for its beauty
would be empty. 49:25
3.
Though no reason for the judgment is given, Syria was a historic enemy of
Israel and Judah.
G.
Against Kedar and Hazor (49:28-33)
1.
This subsection refers to nomadic Arab tribes. 49:28-29, 31-32
2.
The LORD urged the tribes to flee into the desert and Nebuchadnezzar to
plunder them. 49:30
H.
Against Elam (49:34-39)
1.
The Elamites were the farthest removed from Judah of any nation in this
central section.
2.
Elam was east of Babylon, and apparently was resisting Nebuchadnezzar’s
rule.
3.
The Elamites trusted in the prowess of their archers, but that strength
would not save them. 49:35
4.
This oracle would have supported Jeremiah’s message of Babylonian
dominance. 49:34
I.
Against Babylon (50-51)
1.
God used Babylon as His instrument, but they too would be judged for
their crimes. 51:7-9
2.
Even in executing God’s will, they had done evil to Zion and their
captives. 50:29-34; 51:24
3.
They would be punished for pride and idolatry and repaid as they had
done. 50:14, 38; 51:44, 47
J.
Against Judah (52)
1.
Chapter fifty-two is a fitting summation to Jeremiah’s book since it
vindicates his message.
2.
The chapter describes in some detail the fall of Jerusalem and defeat of
Judah. 52:6-14
3.
Jeremiah predicted the judgment that occurred, but he also prophesied of
their hope. 46:27-28
II.
Application of the Text
A.
God Rules in the Kingdoms of Men
1.
These oracles may seem tedious to us since they concern nations most are
unfamiliar with.
a)
But these passages serve an important purpose in preserving God’s word
and work.
b)
Furthermore, these prophecies teach us valuable lessons about God’s
dealings with men.
2.
None of the nine nations addressed in this section were God’s covenant
people as Israel was.
a)
Yet God speaks to them as those who were subject to His rule and violated
it.
b)
Clearly Jehovah was not only the God of Israel and Judah; He is the Lord
of all lords!
3.
The Bible affirms the sovereignty of God over the kingdoms of men again
and again.
a)
Jehovah is the Possessor of Heaven and Earth. Ps. 24:1; 50:10-12
b)
Jehovah is greater than all other gods. Ps. 95:3-5; 97:9
c)
Jehovah has the power of life and death. Ps. 67:4; 75:7
d)
Jehovah rules over the nations. Ps. 22:28; 47:2, 8
4.
Recognizing the sovereignty of God will have practical implications in
our lives.
a)
We will appeal to God for national blessings, since they are in His hand.
Jer. 29:7
b)
We will appeal to God for national leadership, since it is in His
control. 1Ti. 2:1-2; Pr. 21:1
5.
Brethren sometimes act as if God’s sovereignty is limited by
representative government.
a)
We act as though our vote is what installs a leader in office, as if this
work is ours!
b)
It is God who rules over the nations, who raises them and defeats them;
appeal to Him.
B.
Righteousness Exalts a Nation, But Sin Will
Destroy It
1.
These oracles illustrate that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin will
destroy it. Pr. 14:34
a)
These Gentile nations were not subject to the Law of Moses, but they were
subject to God.
b)
Because they rejected God’s natural law, God rejected and punished them.
2.
Jeremiah did not enjoy preaching doom and gloom, but he understood the
necessity of it. 47:6-7
a)
Even in the case of his own people, he preached the truth even though it
condemned them.
b)
His loyalty to God was greater than any patriotic conviction or
commitment he had.
3.
We are citizens of heaven and pilgrims and strangers on earth. Php.
3:20-21; 1Pe. 2:11-12
a)
Patriotic loyalties must never blind us to the spiritual realties of
national sin.
b)
Any nation that rejects God and violates justice and righteousness will
be judged by God.
C.
The Sins of the Nations
1.
Idolatry 46:25; 48:7, 13, 35; 49:1; 50:38; 51:17-18, 44, 47
a)
Idolatry was a problem then, and it continues to be a problem today.
Co. 3:5-7; 1Jn. 5:21
b)
Anything we set in place of God, whether a vehicle of or substitute for
worship, is an idol.
2.
Pride 48:29, 42; 50:29, 30-31
a)
Jehovah hates pride; it is an offense for such lowly beings to be
high-minded. Pr. 6:16-17
b)
Pride is a precursor to other sin; all sin essentially displays pride and
selfishness. 1Co. 10:12
3.
False Trust 48:7, 14-15; 49:4, 16, 35
a)
Pride makes us trust in uncertain and unstable things like self or
material goods. 1Ti. 6:17
b)
No preparations can be guaranteed not to fail; we can only rely on the
LORD. Jer. 9:23-24
4.
Mistreatment 48:27; 49:1; 50:33; 51:24
a)
Those who mistreat or neglect others will receive the same back from God.
Jas. 5:1-6
b)
Jehovah is a God of justice; He demands that we show mercy. Jas. 1:27;
1Jn. 3:16-18
Conclusion
1. Jeremiah’s task was not easy, but it was very simple:
Preach “Thus says Jehovah” wherever he was sent.
2. The prophet demonstrated tremendous courage in his work,
despite his private discouragement and weakness.
3. Jeremiah had a hard life; he found no relief from his
sorrows in this world, but we trust he will find eternal life in the next.
4. May God help us all to be more like Jeremiah, and
may Jehovah raise up such men for our generation
today.