Jeremiah

Jeremiah 46: The LORD is with His people

Begin in prayer

Before we read how the LORD brings proud Egypt low and stays with His people, let us come before Him in prayer. Ask Him to quiet our fears, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, who is with His people always.

Yahweh is your keeper. Yahweh is your shade on your right hand.

Psalms 121:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You bring the proud low, and that You keep Your people safe. Show us Jesus, who is with His people, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Nebuchadnezzar struck the army of Pharaoh Necoh at Carchemish, by the river Euphrates, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (verse 2). Egypt’s mighty men were beaten down and fled, and they stumbled by the Euphrates (verses 5 and 6). Egypt rose like the Nile and boasted it would cover the earth, but that day belongs to the LORD (verses 7, 8 and 10). Gilead was known for its balm, but the LORD says Egypt has no healing, though it uses many medicines (verse 11). The LORD says He will hand Pharaoh and those who trust in him over to their enemies (verses 25 and 26). Then the LORD tells Jacob, His servant, not to be afraid, because He will save His offspring from far away (verses 27 and 28).

As you read Jeremiah 46, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD brings proud nations low, and He is with His people.

Egypt boasted that it would rise like the Nile, but the LORD brought its army low (verses 7, 8 and 10). The battle at Carchemish, on the Euphrates, took place in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, when Nebuchadnezzar struck Pharaoh Necoh’s army (verse 2). The Nile rose and spread over the land each year, so Egypt’s boast pictured a flood that nothing could stop (verse 8). Gilead was known for its balm, a healing ointment, but Egypt had no healing for the wound the LORD sent (verse 11). Pharaoh and those who trust in him would be handed to their enemies (verses 25 and 26). Jacob was the LORD’s servant, and the LORD promised to be with him and to save his offspring (verses 27 and 28). Jesus is the faithful Servant of the LORD, who bore the judgment His people deserved and rose again. Every proud sinner must hear this word, and turn from pride to trust Jesus, who is with His people always.

How does Jeremiah 46 show us that the LORD brings proud nations low, and that He is with His people?

The LORD brings the proud army of Egypt low.

Egypt’s mighty men were beaten down at the Euphrates and fled in haste (verses 5 and 6). The LORD says that day belongs to Him, and no boast can stop Him (verses 8 and 10). Jesus is Lord over every nation.

Human strength cannot save a nation.

Egypt had many medicines and the balm of Gilead, but the LORD says there is no healing for her (verse 11). Pharaoh was only a noise, and he let the appointed time pass by (verse 17). Only Jesus saves, so turn from pride and trust Him.

The LORD keeps His people safe.

The LORD calls Jacob His servant, and He tells him not to be afraid (verses 27 and 28). He promises to save his offspring from far away, and He will not make a full end of His people. Jesus is with His people always.

Memorize

But don’t you be afraid, Jacob my servant, neither be dismayed, Israel; for, behold, I will save you from afar

Jeremiah 46:27

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what strength of my own am I trusting, and will I trust Jesus instead?

Egypt boasted that it would rise like a flood and cover the earth (verse 8). Its horses, its shields and its many medicines could not save it (verses 4 and 11). The LORD brought its army low at the Euphrates, and no strength of man could stand before Him (verses 5 and 10).

Jesus is the faithful Servant of the LORD, and He went to the cross for His people. There He bore the judgment that proud sinners deserved, and on the third day He rose again. His death is enough for each one who comes to Him. Jesus welcomes sinners. Please turn from your pride and trust Him, because He will never turn away anyone who comes to Him.

So come to Jesus without fear, and bring your pride to Him. The LORD says to His people, do not be afraid, and He is the One who saves from far away. Trust Him today, and He will keep you as His own.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD brings proud nations low, and that He is with His people. Parents, you may want to explain that Egypt boasted in its own strength, and the LORD brought it down. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He keeps His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Give each child a turn to pray, in a few words.

Yahweh himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:8

Lord, thank You that You bring proud nations low and keep Your people safe. Forgive us for trusting in our own strength instead of in You. Thank You for Jesus, who bore our judgment and rose from the dead. Help us to turn from pride, trust Him, and walk with You this week. Amen.