Judgment on Egypt
The word of the LORD comes about the nations, beginning with Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco defeated by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish. Egypt is summoned to ready shield, horse, and spear, but the vision quickly turns to confusion: the mighty men are terrified, the swift cannot escape, and the proud flood-like surge of Egypt collapses in the north because that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance in which the sword devours. Egypt, though told to seek balm in Gilead, finds no healing, and the nations hear her shame as her warriors crash over one another.
T1his is the word of the LORD about the nations— the word that came to Jeremiah the prophet 2concerning Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah: 3“Deploy your shields, small and large; 4Harness the horses; mount the steeds; 5Why am I seeing this? 6“The swift cannot flee, 7Who is this, rising like the Nile, 8Egypt rises like the Nile, 9Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots! 10For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, 11Go up to Gilead for balm, 12The nations have heard of your shame,
A further word announces Nebuchadnezzar's coming to strike Egypt itself. The warning is proclaimed in Egypt's cities, but the warriors are already toppling because the LORD thrusts them down; hired troops turn back in the day of calamity, Pharaoh is mocked as noisy but ineffective, and exile is pronounced on Egypt's daughter. Egypt, once like a beautiful heifer, is now stalked from the north; like a serpent she slithers away while her forest is cut down by an innumerable invading force. The LORD of Hosts declares that He will punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh, Egypt's gods, kings, and all who trust in Pharaoh, giving them into Nebuchadnezzar's hand, though afterward Egypt will again be inhabited as in former days.
13This is the word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt: 14“Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; 15Why have your warriors been laid low? 16They continue to stumble; 17There they will cry out: 18As surely as I live, declares the King, 19Pack your bags for exile, 20Egypt is a beautiful heifer, 21Even the mercenaries among her 22Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, 23They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, 24The Daughter of Egypt will be put to shame; 25The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh. 26I will deliver them into the hands of those who seek their lives— of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. But after this, Egypt will be inhabited as in days of old, declares the LORD.
Against the backdrop of Egypt's downfall, the LORD speaks directly to Jacob His servant and tells him not to fear. Though scattered far away, Israel will be saved, brought back to quiet rest, and preserved through judgment; the LORD will make a full end of the nations among whom Jacob has been driven, but not of Jacob himself, whom He will discipline in justice rather than annihilate.
27But you, O Jacob My servant, do not be afraid, 28And you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid,