Jeremiah 47:6-7

Jeremiah continues his prophecy of the destruction of nations round about Israel. This chapter is against the Philistines, whose primary cities were Tyre and Sidon and Ashkelon it seems (Jeremiah 46:4,7). The Lord is using the Babylonians for more purposes than capturing His own people to teach them a lesson. While they’re at it, they are inflicting punishment on all those nations that have sinned against the Lord greatly.

We come again to the greatness of the LORD. So often stated and yet so often forgotten in practice. His Holiness is beyond even the most perfect thing we would imagine. Sin is absolutely intolerable to Him. We can be sure that when we do sin (apart from His forgiveness of course), that He will bring punishment on that: perhaps not straight away, but it will happen. What you sow is what you reap. God is not to be trifled with. That message cannot be stated enough. The time will come when He chooses to turn the sword on you:

‘"O you sword of the LORD,
How long until you are quiet?
Put yourself up into your scabbard,
Rest and be still!
How can it be quiet,
Seeing the LORD has given it a charge
Against Ashkelon and against the seashore?
There He has appointed it."’ (Jeremiah 47:6-7)

And who can escape His sword? Therefore let’s not play games and mess about in this life. This is serious. If you have been saved already, it is not less serious, for chances are, your best friend hasn’t. Make the most of now.