Jeremiah 47

Introduction

The Philistines had a history with Israel that reached all the way back to the days of Abraham (Gen. 21:32, 34).

They were the archenemy of God’s people at different points in history.

Israel certainly rejoiced to hear that the Philistines were soon to be judged by God.

Jeremiah 47:1 says that this prophecy came to Jeremiah before the Philistine city of Gaza was captured by the Egyptian army.

On what occasion did Egypt capture Gaza? A few options…

Pharaoh Hophra captured Gaza around 587 BC.

In 609 BC, Pharaoh Neco defeated Israel’s King Josiah at Meggido, Egypt either took Gaza then or on its way home after its defeat at Carchemish by the Babylonians.

In 601 BC (about eight years later), Babylon tried to invade Egypt but was repelled by Pharaoh Neco who continued to push north capturing Gaza while the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar regrouped.

In any event, Jeremiah prophesies that the Babylonians (“the waters from the north” in v. 2) are soon to destroy the Philistines at God’s direction.

Major Ideas

#1. God Knows

Exp: God knew the Philistines. He knew…

…its origin (Caphtor)

…its cities (Gaza, Ashkelon <Ekron, Ashdod, Gath>)

…its neighbors and alliances (Tyre and Sidon)

…its sins against Him and His people

Philistines sinned against God by worshipping false gods like…

…Dagon (chief)

…Ashtoreth (fertility)

…Baalzebub (‘lord of the flies’; pestilence)

Philistines sinned against God’s people by…

…oppressing them during the time of the judges (Judges 13-16)

…moving in on the territory of the tribe of Dan, forcing Dan to move to the north (Judges 18:11, 29)

…defeating Israel and capturing the ark of the covenant in the days of Samuel (1 Sam. 4)

…killing King Saul in battle (2 Sam. 5:17-25)

App: God knows us, knows who/what we worship, knows our sins against Him and others.

Illus: The woman at the well in John 4

Jesus knew her, knew her sins, but offered her salvation through faith in Him

#2. God Promises (vv. 1, 6-7)

Exp: There are many prophecies against the Philistines in the prophets (Isa. 14:29-31; Ezek. 25:15-17; Amos 1:6-8; Zeph. 2:4-5). But Zechariah 9:5-7 stands out…

Zechariah 9:5–7 NLT

5 The city of Ashkelon will see Tyre fall and will be filled with fear. Gaza will shake with terror, as will Ekron, for their hopes will be dashed. Gaza’s king will be killed, and Ashkelon will be deserted. 6 Foreigners will occupy the city of Ashdod. I will destroy the pride of the Philistines. 7 I will grab the bloody meat from their mouths and snatch the detestable sacrifices from their teeth. Then the surviving Philistines will worship our God and become like a clan in Judah. The Philistines of Ekron will join my people, as the ancient Jebusites once did.

The Philistines were finally conquered by the Maccabees and merged with Israel during the intertestamental period.

That remnant became a part of the people of God.

App: God promises judgment on unrepentant sinners who refuse Him but salvation to the few repentant sinners who trust Him.

How can we be saved? Through faith in Israel’s King who entered Jerusalem to die for His people and rise for His people.

Zechariah 9:9 NASB95

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The Jebusites and Philistines were grafted into the people of God; through the New Covenant in Christ’s blood, we are grafted into the people of God through faith in Him.

Romans 11:17 NLT

17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.

#3. God Judges

His judgment is describe as…

…unstoppable (v. 2)

…hopeless (v. 3)

…destroying (v. 4)

…sad (v. 5)

App: If His earthly judgments are this bad, just imagine how the terribleness of His eternal judgments?

Conclusion

God knows you—knows all about you. You cannot hide from Him. You will answer to Him.

God promises you—salvation if you repent and believe on Jesus who lived the perfect life you haven’t lived, died the death you deserved because of your sinfulness, and rose from the dead as a guarantee of salvation for all who trust in Him

God promises you—judgment if you refuse to repent and believe

God will judge you—it is certain to come and certain to be severe; but there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.