July 24, 2025 - Jeremiah 47-52

Jeremiah pronounced terrible judgment against the enemies of Israel, enemies who sought, over and over again, to destroy Israel:  the Philistines, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus (Syria), Kedar, Hazor, Elam, Babylon.  And finally, the prophecies tell of the destruction of Israel and Jerusalem, which can be succinctly summarized:  “In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, who served the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem.  And he burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down.  And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls around Jerusalem” (52:12-14).  The book of Lamentations follows in which Jeremiah cries out because of the terrible destruction.  We must not minimize what happened in 586 B.C.  It was terrible, and it was the consequence of Israel’s unfaithfulness.  But the story is not over!  Burdened with her sin and the terrible consequences, Israel has but one hope.

Pilgrim, burdened with thy sin,

Come the way to Zion’s gate;

There, till mercy speaks within,

Knock, and weep, and watch, and wait:

Knock--he knows the sinner’s cry;

Weep--he loves the mourner's tears;

Watch, for saving grace is nigh;

Wait, till the heavenly grace appears.   --George Crabbe (1824)