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.
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Commentary
There is a pessimistic saying, “All good things come to an end,” and it seems true for most people since we live in a world filled with sin. Sadly, this has trained us to get used to losing. The good news is that the Bible is not a book about losing and disappointment; it is about hope and winning eternity. Yes, there have been and will be many bumps along the road, but Hold On! It’s not over yet. Jeremiah expresses this deeply held desire that is in all of us, “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.” Jeremiah 47:6. In other words, “When will it all be over?”
I don’t know when Jesus will come, but I do know we can have peace now. Once we choose Jesus, we join the winning side and can look forward to the future with hope. We no longer need to participate in those things that lead to death and destruction. Jesus says, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. He’s our only hope.
Karen D. Lifshay
Hermiston SDA Church Communications Secretary, Oregon USA
