Pray Psalm 2.11, 12.
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Sing Psalm 2.11, 12.
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!)
Rejoice with fear in Jesus’ grace,
and worship before His exalted face!
Beware His anger and judgment grim:
How blessed are all who rest in Him!

Read and meditate on Jeremiah 46.13-26.

Prepare.
1. What was God going to do with Egypt?

2. What would that mean for the Jews living in Egypt?

Meditate.
The Babylonians had defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish, on their own turf. Now Jeremiah prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar and his armies were coming to Egypt, and the result would be the same.

Those who had stood with Egypt during their invasion of Judah and beyond – the Ethiopians, Lybians, and Lydians (Jer. 46.9) – would not stick around to help the Egyptians (Jer. 46.15, 16). They knew that Pharaoh was done for – he had become “but a noise” (v. 17) – and so they were done with him.

As for those who had fled to Egypt for safety, they would be taken captive to Babylon (vv. 18, 19). Egypt looked like a good deal, what with all those foreign mercenaries to help defend her (vv. 20, 21). But now the mercenaries were gone (v. 21), and Egypt was alone and defenseless. Nebuchadnezzar would cut her down like a pristine forest (vv. 22, 23), and Egypt would fall into his hands (v. 24).

God was bringing punishment on Pharaoh “and those who trust in him” (v. 25). That would include the Jews who had fled there for refuge. There is no refuge from God when He comes in His wrath to discipline His people and judge the nations. Likewise, there will be no place to hide when Jesus comes to judge the world. Though nations and peoples may cry out for the mountains to cover them, yet the justice of the Lord will deal to every person that which they are due.

Reflect.
1. Should Christians be seeking refuge and safety in governments or political parties? Explain.

2. God punished His people by allowing them to fall into captivity. Does He still do this today? Is there any sense in which our churches have become captive to the world around us, rather than to Christ?

3. God told His people to prepare to go into captivity (v. 19). How does one prepare for such a situation?

We now, then, see what was the purpose of the Prophet, even to shew, that when Nebuchadnezzar made an irruption into Egypt, all things would be under his power, so that he would, at his pleasure, seize on, plunder, and lay waste the whole land. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Jeremiah 46.19, 20

Thank You, Lord, that I am no longer captive to sin because of Jesus, so that I…

Pray Psalm 2.1-10.
The world is in rebellion against God. They don’t have a chance. Look to Jesus, and take your place in His yoke.

Sing Psalm 2.1-10.
Psalm 2.1-10 (Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!)
Why do the nations vainly rage,
conspiring together from age to age?
Earth’s kings and all of their counselors stand
against the Lord and His Right Hand:

“Now let us cast His yoke below,
His Kingdom authority overthrow!
Throw off His Law, reject His Word;
no more be governed by this Lord!”

The Lord in heaven laughs in wrath
at all who embark on this cursèd path.
His angry Word to them is plain:
“Yet shall My King in Zion reign!”

Proclaim the message far and wide,
that God has exalted the Crucified!
From heav’n He sent us His only Son,
Who has for us salvation won.

To Christ the Lord be given all
who humbly embrace Him and on Him call.
Be wise, be warned: His judgment comes
to break the prideful, sinful ones.

T. M. Moore

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