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Jeremiah 47:5-7 Why is Jeremiah concerned with the Philistines? - Day 230

Greetings,

Some borrowed thoughts on this short chapter.

A short chapter (7 verses) about judgment of the Philistines.  The obvious question is why is Jeremiah concerned about judgment of a heathen nation, a long term enemy of Israel/Judah?  

Observations (with commentary assistance from Calvin)

V 1 - this prophecy came to Jeremiah before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.

V 2 - waters rising out of the north - a reference to  Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon.

Calvin - We must refer to history, and then we shall see what the design of the Holy Spirit was. When Pharaoh came to bring assistance to the Jews under Zedekiah, as we have already seen, he was soon compelled to return to Egypt, for the Chaldeans, having raised the siege, went against the Egyptians; for if they routed them, they knew that they could soon possess themselves of the whole of Judea. Haying then left the Jews for a time, they went against the Egyptians. Pharaoh, possessing no confidence in himself, as I have said, retreated; but he plundered Gaza in his way, because it was very hostile to the Jews; and he wished to shew that he did not come altogether in vain, though this afforded no relief to the Jews. But thus in things of naught earthly kings shew off themselves. Pharaoh then at that time plundered Gaza, but he did not retain it. At this time Jeremiah predicted greater calamities. And this ought to be carefully noticed, for there would be no reason why the Prophet spoke of the Philistines, except, he had respect to something farther.

So the point is that Pharaoh would inflict some pain, but the Babylonians would be far worse.  But then v 6 shows that all these judgments are really the sword of the Lord.

Calvin concludes with this prayer

Grant, Almighty God, that as thou wouldst have to exist a monument of thine invaluable mercy towards thy chosen people, when thou didst so grievously punish the unbelieving, ― O grant, that we may at this day resort to thee whenever our enemies distress us, and never doubt but that thou wilt take care of our safety, and so recumb on thy mercy, that we may patiently wait for the time of our deliverance; and that, in the meantime, we may see from on high, as in mirror, the punishment prepared for the unbelieving, so that we may not follow their example nor implicate ourselves in their vices, but separate ourselves from them, that, being devoted to thee, we may fight under the banner of thine only-begotten Son, until he shall gather us into his celestial kingdom. ― Amen. 


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