Jeremiah 47
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The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
2 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.
3 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;
4 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.
5 Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6 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.
7 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.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Jeremiah 47:1-7
Judgment on the Philistines
1The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.
2“Thus says the Lord:
Behold, waters are rising out of the north,
and shall become an overflowing torrent;
they shall overflow the land and all that fills it,
the city and those who dwell in it.
Men shall cry out,
and every inhabitant of the land shall wail.
3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions,
at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels,
the fathers look not back to their children,
so feeble are their hands,
4because of the day that is coming to destroy
all the Philistines,
to cut off from Tyre and Sidon
every helper that remains.
For the Lord is destroying the Philistines,
the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.
5Baldness has come upon Gaza;
Ashkelon has perished.
O remnant of their valley,
how long will you gash yourselves?
6Ah, sword of the Lord!
How long till you are quiet?
Put yourself into your scabbard;
rest and be still!
7How can it be quiet
when the Lord has given it a charge?
Against Ashkelon and against the seashore
he has appointed it.”
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Jer. 47:1-7
A Message About the Philistines
1This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:
2This is what the Lord says:
“See how the waters are rising in the north;
they will become an overflowing torrent.
They will overflow the land and everything in it,
the towns and those who live in them.
The people will cry out;
all who dwell in the land will wail
3at the sound of the hooves of galloping steeds,
at the noise of enemy chariots
and the rumble of their wheels.
Parents will not turn to help their children;
their hands will hang limp.
4For the day has come
to destroy all the Philistines
and to remove all survivors
who could help Tyre and Sidon.
The Lord is about to destroy the Philistines,
the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.
5Gaza will shave her head in mourning;
Ashkelon will be silenced.
You remnant on the plain,
how long will you cut yourselves?
6“ ‘Alas, sword of the Lord,
how long till you rest?
Return to your sheath;
cease and be still.’
7But how can it rest
when the Lord has commanded it,
when he has ordered it
to attack Ashkelon and the coast?”
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
While Jeremiah 47 predominantly focuses on the historical destruction of the Philistines, we today can interpret these prophecies as a warning to God’s people to repent of our sins and turn wholeheartedly to Him.
Some scholars suggest that v. 6 (“O sword of the Lord”) may signify a call for intercession. Certainly, praying for those facing challenges, even if they’re our adversaries, becomes a reflection of God’s compassion. If we find it difficult to pray for our enemies, we can pray for a new heart, a heart recreated in God’s image (see Psalm 51:10).
We all have ingrained biases and prejudices that cloud our judgment. Asking God to help us recognize and acknowledge these biases is the first step to overcoming them and be able to approach intercession with an open heart. If praying for someone you deeply dislike feels overwhelming, start small. Begin by simply acknowledging their humanity and the reality of their suffering. Gradually, this small step can pave the way for more genuine prayers that align with God’s own nature of love and forgiveness.
Cindy Tutsch
Associate Director, Ellen G. White Estate (retired)
