Reading for November 7th

ORACLES AGAINST THE NATIONS In Chs. 46-21: These poems, confirming the survivial of those who wait in obedient faithfulness, consist of a collection of prophetic poems in judgment against Israel's enemies. Their location at the end of the book gives meaning to Jeremiah's title "prophet to the nations" (1.5,10). God's voice in these poems announces that foreign nations had been instruments of divine punishment of Isreal and Judah, but soon tables will turn to create a new future. These oracles address Israel's neighbors first (chs. 46-49) and close with oracles against Babylon (Chs. 50-51). Read Jeremiah 46.1-12. In 461-25: Against Egypt: These poems bring to poetic fulfillment Jeremiah's prophecies to the Judeah remnant that escaped to Egypt (chs. 43-44). Babylon will destroy their safe haven. In verse 2: The date of the first poem in the fourth year of Jehoiakim sets this prophecy in the years when Babylon destroyed Egyptian power in the region. This means that jeremiah's word of the destruction of Egypt came much earlier then the events themselves. For survvors in exile, the date indicates that God's plans have long been in place and there is hope for the future. In verses 3-12: A battle scene, similar to scenes of the cosmic battle with the foe from the north in chs. 4-6 and 8-10, opens the poem, God calls troops to prepare for war. In versees 7-12: The Nile River, famous for its flooding, resembles the rise and fall of Egypt. Egypt cannot possible defend istelf since, in this poetic vision, the enemy is divine. Comments or Questions..