Read Jeremiah 47
A Message About the Philistines
47 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:
2 This is what the Lord says:
“See how the waters are rising in the north;
they will become an overflowing torrent.
They will overflow the land and everything in it,
the towns and those who live in them.
The people will cry out;
all who dwell in the land will wail
3 at the sound of the hooves of galloping steeds,
at the noise of enemy chariots
and the rumble of their wheels.
Parents will not turn to help their children;
their hands will hang limp.
4 For the day has come
to destroy all the Philistines
and to remove all survivors
who could help Tyre and Sidon.
The Lord is about to destroy the Philistines,
the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.
5 Gaza will shave her head in mourning;
Ashkelon will be silenced.
You remnant on the plain,
how long will you cut yourselves?
6 “‘Alas, sword of the Lord,
how long till you rest?
Return to your sheath;
cease and be still.’
7 But how can it rest
when the Lord has commanded it,
when he has ordered it
to attack Ashkelon and the coast?”
Go Deeper
Today’s short chapter reveals the second foreign nation surrounding Judah to receive God’s judgment: the Philistines, who notoriously were a thorn in the side of God’s chosen people. Remember Goliath, the giant warrior who taunted Israel and was killed with David’s slingshot? He hailed from Philistia, a nation that gloated and celebrated Israel’s demise thinking they were immune to God’s wrath. Numerous prophets along with Jeremiah pronounced God’s judgment on the Philistines, including Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos and Zephaniah. Here are some examples:
- Isaiah: “Wail, you gate! Howl, you city! Melt away, all you Philistines! A cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there is not a straggler in its ranks” (14:31).
- Amos: “I will destroy the king of Ashdod and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my head against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines are dead,” says the Sovereign Lord (1:8).
- Zephaniah: “No one will be left in the city of Gaza, and the city of Ashkelon will be destroyed. Ashdod will be empty by noon, and the people of Ekron will be chased away” (2:4).
The prophet Amos once announced that God does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets. God forewarned and gave opportunity for people to repent. It’s Jeremiah’s prophecy, however, that gives the reader a sensory overload of unforgettable images: “The people will cry out; all who dwell in the land will wail at the sound of the hooves of galloping steeds, at the noise of enemy chariots and the rumble of their wheels. Parents will not turn to help their children; their hands will hang limp” (v. 2-3). Crying, wailing, galloping and rumbling resound as God’s judgment falls, so much so that crippling fear debilitates the natural protective instincts of parents for their offspring.
Fear immobilized them, as they experienced what the Hebrew writer proclaimed “what a dreadful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Although God used foreign nations to discipline his chosen people, He ultimately did not overlook the evil ways of these pagan nations, as numerous prophets foretold. Regardless of who commits it, sin is an affront to holy God and a day of reckoning is sure to come.
Many times it seems we are swimming upstream against evil in our present culture. Let’s be challenged to remain alert to what Jeremiah declares as the sword of the Lord. The Enduring Word commentary says, “The sword of the Lord has a work to do among God’s people today, and will not be stopped until it finishes that work.” Scripture reminds us “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6). Herein lies the proof that we belong to God. Be encouraged that nothing can usurp, supplant, or overthrow God’s sovereign authority. What He declares He will accomplish.
Questions
- What is your first response as you encounter evil in our culture? Are you able to trust God’s omnipotence over all things, or does fear creep in and overtake you? Take a moment and read Isaiah 43:1-2.
- When life is challenging, how have you used the word of God as a powerful weapon to fight the enemy? How are you investing in building a solid foundation of trust and obedience in the daily rhythms of life?
- Are you devoted to praying for our nation to repent and turn from wickedness so God may hear and heal our land?
A Quote
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human experience over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”–Abraham Kuyper
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3 thoughts on “Jeremiah 47”
Thinking and praying over these words of the Psalmist, “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.” Everyday we invest in intentionally being with Jesus through meditating on his word, spending time in prayer and obeying the Holy Spirit’s guidance we are equipping our hearts to abide in him. No matter what comes our way, these daily rhythms will enable us to navigate both the good and the bad times with our eyes on the prize—Jesus.
Wow. Could have been written in 2024.
Praying for God’s power, presence, and peace in the lives of those who live in this violence-afflicted region.
“A Message About the Philistines
47 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:”
Redeemtion. This is the theme of the library of books called the Bible. God wants YOU!!! You were born to worship and love the most Holy of Holy, God. Because of man’s decsion God had to make a way and so He intrically wove it throughout history giving His people mercy and grace. BUT GOD sent His only begotton Son for YOU so that we could be redeemed to Him. Jeremiah, I would think, is getting tired, BUT GOD gives him perservence and strength to continue for the one lost sheep, His remenent that are the people that would be in the lineage to Jesus. (Secret Church last night was amazing story of this redeemtion in the book of Ruth).
God thank You again and again for Your HESED love!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You that You pursue me!!!!!!!!!!!Thank You for shelter under Your wings and in Your everlasing arms. Yahweh!!! Lord of Lords most High!!! In the midst of my waiting, God is working. Thank You for me being more and more overflowingly filled with Your love, so that I may show, serve, shower, and shelter others in this HESED love. I thank You God for this day, these minutes to be Your hands and feet. To see people through Your love goggles, to share Your love through only Your grace You give me. God I bless You, honor You, praise You, give You glory for these minutes today in Jesus name amen.