God of All Nations

Jeremiah 46:1-47:7  

Chapters 46 thru 51 contain prophecies about what God would cause to happen w/regard to 10 nations occupying nearly a million square miles in ancient world – Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus (Syria), Kedar (Arabian tribes), Elam, Babylon, Chaldea. They span modern nations of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel. Secular histories of time and places contain details of movement of armies and peoples, do not include complete descriptions of why they happened. Sure, leaders had own motivations for aggressive actions. God used those motivations and other means in order to bring about his purpose toward his enemies as well as friends.

All 10 nations were acting as enemies to God, deaf to both his pleadings and his warnings. Includes his people the Jews who crossed the line where repentance and deliverance would still be possible. God did not force any of these nations and their leaders and armies to act against their will. Each voluntarily engaged in battle intending to pursue their own goals. God perfectly just in orchestrating outcome to fit his purpose, punish evildoers, bring catastrophe against those determined to overthrow him. No cause whatever to think God cannot do same today as he sees fit.

Starts with Egypt, nation that disregarded YHWH in favor of own gods, oppressed Hebrew children before brought together as independent nation. Finishes with Babylon and land of the Chaldeans, last enemies of Israel and responsible for 70-year exile. Remaining 6 were hostile toward YHWH and tormentors of his people while they were in the land. God has delayed judgment on them for centuries, begins decisive action to protect faithful remnant, give another opportunity to return to him most importantly when he will send his Son Jesus to save them from their sins. And we know from NT how that turned out… source of great blessing for Gentiles.

A. Ruler

knows them by name

general opening announcement: “the word of YHWH …against the nations” – doesn’t stay general, next line: “against Egypt”

shouldn’t surprise us even if it did them, God knows the national name, individual names, specific details of their history including geography and battles

more importantly for us, God didn’t need to read newspaper to find out what he needed to know – could speak intelligently about anything relevant to their future

in our day, knows Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping, names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses… and will deal with them according to his plan

heard their boasts

Egypt boasted as Nile flooded banks and inundated Delta, same way they would rise and cover the earth, iow subdue it

God’s response: challenge Egypt w/ her allies (Ethiopia, Somalia, Libya) to battle along w/ Greek mercenaries, backbone of army

even taunts them, v.7, ridiculing puny attempt to follow through on boast – prods into action, show their strength and ability

Warrior God owns the day

long before battle commences God declares outcome – Adonai Yahweh Sabaoth will prevail, totally overcome his enemies

God not backward about declaring his purpose… avenging himself on his enemies, really treating them as they wanted to treat him and his people

they sacrificed things they valued to false gods, insulting true God who deserved their worship – they would be offered up as sacrifice to true God

B. Judge

God uses means

all this a shock to Egyptians, mocking their gods and foretelling ignominious defeat at hands of Babylonians at Carchemish

will previously give them upper hand over those who had sorely harassed Jews, neighbors to the west, the Philistines

regardless of which direction tide of war was flowing, all could be certain was God using weather, fear, strategy to defeat them

God also acts

Deists convinced God made all things, wound up spring, mostly a bystander watching world unwind itself w/o interfering

Bible makes clear God is involved in affairs of men and nations, directing outcome of both good and evil actions

even though he uses means, he takes credit for what happens – over and over told “the LORD” will do this in judgment

we must keep in mind: people often have one goal in mind while God has a different one… in the same series of events

must be careful, we don’t have inside track the way OT prophets did – we cannot know God’s particular purpose in world events we can observe

can rightly say whatever God is doing is right, he is without sin whether we understand what he’s doing or not

his judgment is just

even though his enemies had opportunity to see him at work in Israel, many like Rahab gave him credit, hardship did not cause national repentance, rarely individual change

further confirms his judgment, harsh though it may seem, was warranted – like Pharaoh, further hardened in rebellion

every one of these judgments a minuscule foretaste of judgment to come – no one can honestly say they never had warning

Egyptian practice today like that of Gaza Strip (1/3 orig. Philistia) is Islam, official religion in both – still enemies of God

C. Savior  46:27-28

do not fear

God certainly is Ruler, he is Judge, at same time he is Savior – in midst of dire prophecies he inserts message of genuine hope

has to be one of God’s favorite lines: “don’t be afraid” – much of what he says/does can push us away, yet he draws us in

word not intended for everyone – only those who serve YHWH and not other gods can be confident and genuinely hopeful

he will deliver

matters not where his people are, God has sufficient reach to deliver from captivity – has proved that for Jewish people

yes, did restore them to ancient land from captivity nearby, places far away where had been driven by invading armies

way promise of rest and peace and security completely fulfilled: in Christ’s church, deliverance from oppression of sin

to be encouraged by return of Jews to land of Israel is to stop short of God’s full purpose – to include them in glorious company Rev 5.9 “…out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation”

he will correct

says again to not be afraid b/c hard times aren’t over – has more work to do on his people, work of correcting and conforming

since people still sinful in this life, sanctification not complete, ongoing correction necessary to bring into line w/his expectations

since God is merciful and gracious, he provides hope, opportunity, whatever resources necessary to reach his good goal for us

Enmity against God didn’t end with Babylon or 1st cent. Israel  Diocletian (245-313AD), monument:

Diocletian Jovian Maximian Herculeus Caesares Augusti

for having everywhere abolished the superstition of Christ

for having extended the worship of the gods

Friedrich Nietzsche, a 19th-century German philosopher declared “God is dead”. People don’t need him any more, have science and reason to take up slack. God of our fathers quite thoroughly erased from culture in large portions of modern world. Yet if we are to have hope of rest and peace and security, retreat from lawlessness, must make sure all the generations know of God and his story. Only then will they put their hope in him rather than powerless gods of human definition.

Sharing, Giving and Receiving

Philippians 4:14-18 

Had conversation with one at CVAL Thursday, touched on number of topics incl. mind of God. He knows stars by name, number of hairs, his purpose for all people and things, how actions and results are all connected. So much of what touches own lives hidden from us, how what we do intersects with lives of others e.g. This portion of letter to Philippians encourages thinking about impact of what we share with others. Writer doesn’t want readers to get swelled heads, mutes his praise of them some, doesn’t supply nearly as many details as we might appreciate.

Is apparent from remarks here there is more than one way to be involved in Gospel ministry – repeated Bible model one of partnership whether on front line or in support network. Brought out in how Philippians commended for actions. All various ones involved acting under oversight of Christ himself as he orchestrates building of his church. Writes in verse following text about God supplying needs – in our time God often uses variety of means to do actual supplying. He directs his people to that end, often uses unbelievers in process also.

Second theme present here is generosity. Never see in Bible example of “let me see what I can afford”. Instead, often wonder how could they do so much, where did it all come from? So much part of how these folks treated Paul he used them as example to spur Corinthian church to give more abundantly to those in need. They not only knew answer to that question, put their faith into action. (2Cor 8:1-4)

A. fellowship in distress  v.14  emotional / partnership

did well

once again they do well, sending not only substantial gift, also substantial person to deliver – highly regarded church leader

don’t believe Paul surprised they would do that, was fitting with how they helped before – confident they would again when able

at same time did not take for granted they would – our missionaries do same, handwritten thanks for gifts sent, not just printed receipt from mission organization

certainly not done from sense of duty – was expression of affection for missionary who first brought good news to them

did good

the good they did had two-fold purpose: encourage Paul and facilitate work he was doing – added benefit, example to others

is where details / connections only God knows about come into play – like song: if you tell two people and they tell two people

is totally fine we don’t know those things, perhaps better we don’t – important thing we use what God entrusts for good

did share

two ways rendered in Eng.: you shared in my distress/shared my trouble -and- shared with me in my hardship – first more accurate, no words in Gk for “with me”

yes, shared with apostle while he experienced hardship and w/o question a good / commendable thing to do for him

for them to share in his distress indicates they had troubles of their own – made reference to that near beginning of letter

Phil. 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake

many miles apart but could genuinely feel each others’ pain – were both experiencing/suffering distress and trouble for Gospel

Paul doesn’t mention but… he suffered for sake of Gospel from beginning of his relationship w/them, jail in Philippi, so they really following his example

B. giving again and again  v.15-16  material

from the beginning

their habit of generous giving started soon after conversion and persisted – following apostle’s example in that respect also

missionary very careful not to be burden on local church plant – even new believers easily see how being bi-vocational could slow down evangelistic work

didn’t survey supporting to see how many dollars per member they were giving, then adjust to be in line w/ everyone else

Paul told Corinthians that church had truly gone not only according to ability, had gone beyond ability to give all they wanted

for the Gospel

affection for Paul certainly portion of reason for generosity but by no means only factor – not only trying to lessen Paul’s burden

also concerned for what their help would free him up to do… carry Gospel to more places and more people more quickly

certainly in Paul’s view that was far more important – appreciated material help to satisfy expenses, greater appreciation for how God used him to plant churches, strengthen leaders

continually looking beyond present to next place, where could he go with Gospel where hadn’t been preached yet

model for others

Corinthian church benefited from their example early on, so did everyone else in the neighborhood who had opportunity to read/hear Paul’s letter to them

no way to know how many millions have read both letters (2Cor and Phil) since and profited from them – see them in heaven

believers in Philippi didn’t think their generosity a burden: “in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.” (2Cor. 8.2)

C. receiving more  v.17-18  spiritual / fruitfulness…worship

blessing more than the gift

Paul far more concerned with blessing from God for him, especially for them b/c of their generosity when they had little

the spiritual benefits, the fruitfulness they would display would multiply in their account, would be most obvious in heaven

really putting Jesus’ words to work: “lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven” – strive for ROI to be “collected” in heaven

helpful to the missionary

Paul at present “fully supported” and genuinely appreciated the gift, the one who delivered, all the affection included with it

for one in prison and facing an uncertain future (live or die) would be great encouragement – is not the only one fighting the good fight for the Gospel

if material resources would further the gospel cause, they supplied adequate for missionary to keep pressing on

well-pleasing to God

the end goal of their giving was advance of the Gospel for the sake of those impacted by it, not for any credit to them – of course God would be well-pleased

and God blesses the one who pleases him: Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

and we all know is no way we can out-give God – he dispenses from supply of “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3)

Generous giving is really an act of spiritual worship. Can be our time, talents, treasure or any combination. When given for purpose of advancing the Gospel, work of making disciples of all nations moves forward, those laborers sent to gather the harvest are blessed and God is pleased. And if God is pleased, we have done well.