Frequently we find that Jeremiah’s ministry is devoted to sharing tough messages of judgment. We saw his warning against fleeing to Egypt in chapter 42, his warnings against idolatry in chapter 44 and today in chapters 46 and 47 we see pronouncements of coming judgment upon the nations which will continue into the upcoming chapters.
God’s judgment is sure to come upon those who reject Him. Some of the people of Judah had claimed their lives were better when they served idols (44:16-19), yet they stood under God’s judgment that was sure to come. Now, we see that God’s judgment was to come upon Egypt for their sins (Ch. 46) and also upon Philistia (Ch. 47).
What I find most fascinating in these chapters though, is the reflection on the sword of the Lord (47:6-7). The question is posed, how long will the sword continue until it’s quiet and is still. The answer? It can’t be quiet when the Lord has given it a charge (47:7). God’s judgment was sure. It was pronounced. It was coming. The sword of the Lord would devour those who’d rejected Him, and it would accomplish His mission. It wouldn’t return to the scabbard until the work was complete.
Thankfully, for Judah, the sword wouldn’t make a full end because they were in covenant with God. Although God would make a full end of all the nations, he says, “but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished” (46:28b).
God’s judgment upon sin is sure. Just because judgment isn’t immediate doesn’t mean it isn’t coming (see Ecc. 8:11). On Judah it came naturally through God’s use of Babylon. On Egypt and Philistia, it would also come naturally. We know the end of the story is that all will have to stand before God and those under judgment will pay eternally. God’s judgment will make a sure end of all who have rejected Him. The sword won’t be put away till the work is complete. On the day of judgment all our sins will be laid bare, and we’ll have to give an account. Thank God that on that day we will be saved because we are in covenant with God. Those who have been redeemed by grace have the hope that judgment will not make a sure end of us. We have the hope of eternal life because of His great mercy that He lavished upon us in Christ that we wholly don’t deserve. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy upon undeserving sinners. For surely, we don’t deserve any part of it.
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