Jeremiah 45-46 It's Coming

Egypt had taken sides against God in the past and had paid dearly for it with the ten plagues.  Discovering the power of Yahweh, they did not, however, come to worship Him.  Instead, they kept up their idol worship and now God had a message for them through Jeremiah:

 

“Get ready for war, because the battle is all around you … The King’s name is the Lord All-Powerful.  Egypt’s army’s time of destruction is coming … The people of Egypt will be ashamed.  They will be handed over to the enemy … I will punish Egypt, her kings, her gods, and the people who depend on the king.  I will hand these people over to their enemies, who want to kill them.  I will give them to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his officers.  But in the future, Egypt will live in peace as it once did.”

 

There was also a message to Israel in there:  “People Jacob, my servants, don’t be afraid; don’t be frightened, Israel.  I will surely save you from those faraway places … The people of Jacob will have peace and safety again and no one will make them afraid … Do not be afraid, because I am with you.  I will completely destroy the many different nations where I scattered you.  But I will not completely destroy you.  I will punish you fairly, but I will not let you escape your punishment.”

 

Even the people of God cannot escape punishment for their sins.  Their guilt may be forgiven, but the consequences of sin must play out. 

 

Father, all too often we as Christians presume upon Your grace.  We sin and then ask for forgiveness, knowing You’ve promised to give it if we repent in our hearts.  Yet every sin effectively nails another nail into Your Son on the cross.  Help us to realize the incredible cost of our sin on our Savior.  Help us to love Him enough that we won’t want to see Him hurt by our actions and thoughts again.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford