August 22 (Daily reading: Jeremiah 46-48) The final chapters of Jeremiah are a pronouncement of God’s judgement on the nations.
To Egypt: “For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, so as to avenge Himself on His foes … They do not stand because the LORD has thrust them down … I shall give them over to the power of (Babylon)” (46:10, 15, 26). The name “LORD of hosts” occurs well over two hundred times in the Old Testament and refers to the angelic armies of heaven. The NIV says “LORD Almighty.” We should never forget that our God has power over all the earth, over all the nations, and that a day of judgement is coming. He is not blind to all that is taking place upon the earth.
God spoke to the Moabites, who descended from Moab, the son of Lot and his oldest daughter (Genesis 19:37). “‘Because of your trust in your own achievements and treasures … Moab has been destroyed’ … declares the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts. “We have heard of his haughtiness, his pride, his arrogance and his self-exaltation … His idle boasts have accomplished nothing. (48:7, 15, 29-30). Once again, we see God’s judgement on pride. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Ja. 4:6, NIV).
But even in judgement, we see God’s heart: “Therefore I will wail for Moab, even for all Moab will I cry out” (48:31). And to those who were in exile: “‘O Jacob My servant, do not fear, nor be dismayed, O Israel! For, see, I am going to save you from afar’ … declares the LORD, ‘For I am with you’” (46:27-28). God will always have a people, as Paul wrote, “…at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” This fact made Paul exclaim: “To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom. 11:5, 36, NIV).
– Al Gary
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