Jeremiah 49:1-33
Dear RTB’ers,
Weeks ago, when we started reading Jeremiah I had suggested that many scholars argue that the chapters and verses in Jeremiah were not to be read chronologically. These prophecies to the nations in chapters 46 to 49 certainly fall into that category. I went back to the Chronological Study Bible (CSB) to find the order in which they had placed various readings. CSB had 22 days in which Jeremiah was read (included with other Kings, Chronicles, Daniel and Ezekiel books also). The Lord’s prophecies against Egypt (the first half of chapter 46) and the Philistines (chapter 47) were read on the 6th day in the CSB; against Moab (chapter 48) and Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam (chapter 49) on the 14th day; finally, their reading where Babylon is mentioned in the prophecy against Egypt (the last half of chapter 46) is on their 19th day. So yes, these prophecies do appear to be out of order and out of context. (See also additional notes in our STS book on all these nations.) But, as John noted yesterday, “…the LORD is clearly the One bringing all the calamity.” It’s His will, His judgment. So let’s keep that in mind when we read these prophecies against these nations.
Blessings.