Jeremiah 43:8-13: a reflection

8Then the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, 9“Take great stones in your hand and hide them in mortar in the brick work which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah. 10Tell them, the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne on these stones that I have hidden; and he will spread his royal pavilion over them. 11He will come, and will strike the land of Egypt; such as are for death will be put to death, and such as are for captivity to captivity, and such as are for the sword to the sword. 12I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt. He will burn them, and carry them away captive. He will array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment; and he will go out from there in peace. 13He will also break the pillars of Beth Shemesh that is in the land of Egypt; and he will burn the houses of the gods of Egypt with fire.’”

The people of Judah have fled to Egypt against God's word, and there, in Egypt, God gives Jeremiah a sign. He is to hide large stones in the pavement at the entrance of Pharaoh's palace, and declare that on those very stones the king of Babylon will one day set his throne, when God brings him to strike Egypt. Even mighty Egypt, even the seat of Pharaoh, would fall under the hand of the ruler God would send. The great empire was not beyond God's reach.

Notice what the sign declares: that God rules over even the greatest of empires. Egypt seemed a place of safety, strong and enduring; and yet God announces that Babylon's king, his instrument, would set his throne in the very heart of Egypt. The nations that seem strongest, most secure, most beyond challenge, are not beyond God's rule; he governs their rise and fall, and uses even pagan kings to accomplish his purposes.

That is a steadying truth in a world where great nations and forces can seem beyond any higher authority. The empires and structures that seem strongest, most permanent, most in control, are not beyond God's rule. He governs them, sets bounds to them, raises and lowers them according to his purpose, as he governed Egypt and Babylon. When the great powers of the world seem overwhelming, beyond challenge, remember that God rules over them still; not one of them is beyond his reach or outside his sovereign hand. Do not be overawed by the seeming permanence of what is strong in the world; the God who set Babylon's throne in the heart of Egypt governs the nations, and his purpose, not theirs, will finally stand. Rest in his rule over all.

Lord, when Judah fled to Egypt against your word, you had Jeremiah hide stones at Pharaoh's palace and declare that Babylon's king would set his throne on them; even mighty Egypt was not beyond your reach. Steady me with that truth in a world where great nations and forces can seem beyond any higher authority. The empires and structures that seem strongest, most permanent, most in control, are not beyond your rule. You govern them, set bounds to them, raise and lower them according to your purpose, as you governed Egypt and Babylon. When the great forces of the world seem overwhelming, beyond challenge, help me remember that you rule over them still; not one of them is beyond your reach or outside your sovereign hand. Keep me from being overawed by the seeming permanence of what is strong in the world; you, who set Babylon's throne in the heart of Egypt, govern the nations, and your purpose, not theirs, will finally stand. Let me rest in your rule over all, Lord.