Jer 46:13 | KingComments | STEP | Pharaoh did try to defeat Babylon in his own land, but with poor results, for the LORD supports Nebuchadnezzar. The LORD announces to Jeremiah that He will send Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt to smite the land ( ). Jeremiah is to announce what the LORD says to him about Nebuchadnezzar’s coming to Egypt to the great cities of Egypt ( ). He is to tell them to get ready for battle. The enemy is coming and has made his way into those cities by killing everything on his way with the sword. Again Jeremiah lets us hear the result ( ). He asks why the mighty were thrust down. At the same time, he himself gives the answer. They have not been able to stand because the true Mighty One, the LORD, has thrust them down. The LORD supports the army of Babylon. Then fighting against it is senseless. He caused the great losses and caused them to fall over each other instead of helping each other ( ). The reaction of the soldiers of Egypt is to flee, back to where they came from, away from the sword of the oppressor. In their land, they rebel against Pharaoh ( ). They call him a big noise. He has been telling them with a big mouth that they are unbeatable. But the respect for him has gone. He has misjudged the time and responded too late to the threat of the enemy. Therefore, they are rebelling against him. The Lord Jesus will say to many people, when they stand before His throne, that they are braggers and that they have let the appointed time pass by. Once again the LORD confirms that the scenes He has just described are not fabrications ( ). He says this as “the King”, Whose name is “LORD of hosts”. He is above Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and all kings, and all the heavenly and earthly hosts are at His disposal. When He speaks, who will turn it? He points to the stability of the Tabor and Carmel. As firm as those mountains stand, so certain it is that Nebuchadnezzar will come. That certainty lies in the fact that the LORD Himself is working the coming of Nebuchadnezzar. On Mount Tabor the LORD gave Barak a great victory over the Canaanites ( ) and on Carmel Elijah killed 450 false prophets of Baal ( ). He advises the Egyptians to gather their household goods together and flee ( ). Resisting the enemy is futile. He addresses Egypt as “daughter dwelling in Egypt”. These are the women who stayed behind at home. They are warned of the devastation the enemy will wreak on their hometown. There will be no inhabitant left.

‏ Jeremiah 46:13

The Coming of Nebuchadnezzar

Pharaoh did try to defeat Babylon in his own land, but with poor results, for the LORD supports Nebuchadnezzar. The LORD announces to Jeremiah that He will send Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt to smite the land (Jer 46:13). Jeremiah is to announce what the LORD says to him about Nebuchadnezzar’s coming to Egypt to the great cities of Egypt (Jer 46:14). He is to tell them to get ready for battle. The enemy is coming and has made his way into those cities by killing everything on his way with the sword.

Again Jeremiah lets us hear the result (Jer 46:15). He asks why the mighty were thrust down. At the same time, he himself gives the answer. They have not been able to stand because the true Mighty One, the LORD, has thrust them down. The LORD supports the army of Babylon. Then fighting against it is senseless. He caused the great losses and caused them to fall over each other instead of helping each other (Jer 46:16). The reaction of the soldiers of Egypt is to flee, back to where they came from, away from the sword of the oppressor.

In their land, they rebel against Pharaoh (Jer 46:17). They call him a big noise. He has been telling them with a big mouth that they are unbeatable. But the respect for him has gone. He has misjudged the time and responded too late to the threat of the enemy. Therefore, they are rebelling against him. The Lord Jesus will say to many people, when they stand before His throne, that they are braggers and that they have let the appointed time pass by.

Once again the LORD confirms that the scenes He has just described are not fabrications (Jer 46:18). He says this as “the King”, Whose name is “LORD of hosts”. He is above Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and all kings, and all the heavenly and earthly hosts are at His disposal. When He speaks, who will turn it?

He points to the stability of the Tabor and Carmel. As firm as those mountains stand, so certain it is that Nebuchadnezzar will come. That certainty lies in the fact that the LORD Himself is working the coming of Nebuchadnezzar. On Mount Tabor the LORD gave Barak a great victory over the Canaanites (Jdg 4:14-15) and on Carmel Elijah killed 450 false prophets of Baal (1Kgs 18:19-20 ; 40).

He advises the Egyptians to gather their household goods together and flee (Jer 46:19). Resisting the enemy is futile. He addresses Egypt as “daughter dwelling in Egypt”. These are the women who stayed behind at home. They are warned of the devastation the enemy will wreak on their hometown. There will be no inhabitant left.