Jeremiah 47: A Prophecy Against Philistia
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
Thus saith the Lord; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
How can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.
Jeremiah 47 focuses on a specific judgment against the Philistines, a people long known as adversaries of Israel. This chapter serves as a reminder that God's justice extends to all nations, not just Israel, and that He uses nations like Babylon to execute His purposes. The prophecy highlights the Philistines' impending doom at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army.
The Rising Waters of Destruction (Jeremiah 47:1-2)
Jeremiah 47:1-2 sets the stage for the prophecy. The Philistines, who had a history of conflict with Israel (remember the iconic story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:1-58?), are about to face a devastating force. The prophecy vividly portrays Babylon as a "water rising out of the north" that will overflow the land. This imagery effectively conveys the overwhelming and destructive nature of the coming Babylonian invasion. This wasn't just a military campaign; it was a divine judgment.
Terror and Despair (Jeremiah 47:3-5)
The impending invasion would bring widespread terror and despair. Jeremiah 47:3 paints a stark picture of fathers so overwhelmed by fear that they would abandon their children in their frantic flight from the Babylonian army. This illustrates the sheer panic that would grip the Philistines. The destruction wouldn't be limited to the battlefield; it would shatter families and communities.
Jeremiah 47:4 specifies that God will "destroy all the Philistines." The Lord's intention is clear: to bring an end to their power and influence. This verse emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment.
Jeremiah 47:5 mentions Ashkelon, one of the principal cities of Philistia, which was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's armies in 604 BC. The act of shaving one's head and cutting oneself were traditional signs of mourning, signifying the profound grief and horror that would engulf the Philistines as they faced their destruction. This demonstrates the depth of their sorrow and the magnitude of their loss.
The Sword of the Lord (Jeremiah 47:6-7)
The final verses of Jeremiah 47 emphasize the divine origin of the destruction. The "sword of the LORD" (Jeremiah 47:6-7) will not rest until it has accomplished its purpose. This is not merely a Babylonian conquest; it is God's judgment being carried out. The "sword" symbolizes God's power and authority, and its relentless pursuit of its target underscores the inevitability of the Philistines' fate. They would be reduced to nothing, a testament to God's power and justice.
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
Thus saith the Lord; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
How can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.
Jeremiah 47 focuses on a specific judgment against the Philistines, a people long known as adversaries of Israel. This chapter serves as a reminder that God's justice extends to all nations, not just Israel, and that He uses nations like Babylon to execute His purposes. The prophecy highlights the Philistines' impending doom at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army.
The Rising Waters of Destruction (Jeremiah 47:1-2)
Jeremiah 47:1-2 sets the stage for the prophecy. The Philistines, who had a history of conflict with Israel (remember the iconic story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:1-58?), are about to face a devastating force. The prophecy vividly portrays Babylon as a "water rising out of the north" that will overflow the land. This imagery effectively conveys the overwhelming and destructive nature of the coming Babylonian invasion. This wasn't just a military campaign; it was a divine judgment.
Terror and Despair (Jeremiah 47:3-5)
The impending invasion would bring widespread terror and despair. Jeremiah 47:3 paints a stark picture of fathers so overwhelmed by fear that they would abandon their children in their frantic flight from the Babylonian army. This illustrates the sheer panic that would grip the Philistines. The destruction wouldn't be limited to the battlefield; it would shatter families and communities.
Jeremiah 47:4 specifies that God will "destroy all the Philistines." The Lord's intention is clear: to bring an end to their power and influence. This verse emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment.
Jeremiah 47:5 mentions Ashkelon, one of the principal cities of Philistia, which was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's armies in 604 BC. The act of shaving one's head and cutting oneself were traditional signs of mourning, signifying the profound grief and horror that would engulf the Philistines as they faced their destruction. This demonstrates the depth of their sorrow and the magnitude of their loss.
The Sword of the Lord (Jeremiah 47:6-7)
The final verses of Jeremiah 47 emphasize the divine origin of the destruction. The "sword of the LORD" (Jeremiah 47:6-7) will not rest until it has accomplished its purpose. This is not merely a Babylonian conquest; it is God's judgment being carried out. The "sword" symbolizes God's power and authority, and its relentless pursuit of its target underscores the inevitability of the Philistines' fate. They would be reduced to nothing, a testament to God's power and justice.