FRAMEWORKS:
Jeremiah 47: A word against the Philistines
[Preliminary
Comment: The Philistines, living in the south west, were
fairly minor players on the international scene but nevertheless
had been an almost constant thorn in the side of Israel down through
the years. Although Pharaoh is mentioned here, Nebuchadnezzar's
force was the greatest in the area, eventually coming down across
the whole area, but it is possible that after Josiah was killed
in battle against pharaoh Neco in 609BC the Egyptians cleaned
up Philistia before returning home.]
v.1
The Context: To the Philistines at a specific point in history
v.1
This
is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning
the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:
v.2,3
A warning of an invader coming from the north [that must be Nebuchadnezzar]
v.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
v.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.
v.4
The outcome will be the destruction of the Philistines
v.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.
v.5
Mourning will come to the Philistine cities
v.5
Gaza
will shave her head in mourning;
Ashkelon will be silenced.
You remnant on the plain,
how long will you cut yourselves?
v.6,7
The sword of destruction will continuer as Lord as the Lord decrees
it
v.6
‘“Alas,
sword of the Lord,
how long till you rest?
Return to your sheath;
cease and be still.”
v.7 But
how can it rest
when the Lord has commanded it,
when he has ordered it
to attack Ashkelon and the coast?'
Continue
to Chapter 48