13 The word that the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt: 14-16 “Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol; proclaim in Memphis and Tahpanhes; say, ‘Stand ready and be prepared, for the sword shall devour around you.’ Why are your mighty ones face down? They do not stand because the Lord thrust them down. He made many stumble, and they fell, and they said one to another, ‘Arise, and let us go back to our own people and to the land of our birth, because of the sword of the oppressor.’

17-19 Call the name of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, ‘Noisy one who lets the hour go by.’ “As I live, declares the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts, like Tabor among the mountains and like Carmel by the sea, shall one come. Prepare yourselves baggage for exile, O inhabitants of Egypt! For Memphis shall become a waste, a ruin, without inhabitant. 20 “A beautiful heifer is Egypt, but a biting fly from the north has come upon her. 21 Even her hired soldiers in her midst are like fattened calves; yes, they have turned and fled together; they did not stand, for the day of their calamity has come upon them, the time of their punishment. 22-23 “She makes a sound like a serpent gliding away; for her enemies march in force and come against her with axes like those who fell trees. They shall cut down her forest, declares the Lord, though it is impenetrable, because they are more numerous than locusts; they are without number.

24-25 The daughter of Egypt shall be put to shame; she shall be delivered into the hand of a people from the north.” The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, said: “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him. I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their life, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. 26 Afterwards Egypt shall be inhabited as in the days of old, declares the Lord.

27-28 “But fear not, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.” Jeremiah 46:13-28 English Standard Version

A long reading today, so just a few comments from me. Jeremiah described the coming defeat of Egypt by Babylon, a defeat that would cause even the hired soldiers (mercenaries) in Egypt's army to flee. (vs 21) Verses 24-25 explain that this was God’s judgment upon Egypt for it's idol gods. Even Pharaoh was looked upon and trusted in as a god. But in the midst of the wars that were devastating nations like Egypt, Moab, Edom and Ammon, what was the comforting word God spoke to Israel? (vs 27-28)

God promised He would bring them back from the lands where they would be sent into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar. They were to see the 70 year exile they were about to experience as His discipline rather than an eternal judgment. They deserved punishment because of the wicked ways they had embraced, but how precious is that promise where God said: “I will not make a full end.” That is a great comfort for genuine Christians who have fallen into sinful ways, but have sought to return to the Lord. God's grace is far greater than our failures. Though He will discipline us, He does not cast us off forever.

A last thought. We don't hear of nations like Edom, Moab and Ammon anymore, yet we do hear of Egypt. And despite the destruction of Egypt the Babylonians would bring about, look what vs 26 said! That’s why Egypt exists today. The Bible is accurate in even small details. It's a book we can trust that tells of a God who can spare a people; a God who can save our souls.