Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Do not fear, O My servant Jacob"
Text: Jeremiah 46:27
A GREAT WORD OF COMFORT
Fearsome were the words God had for Egypt. The nation would be humbled by the Babylonians. God had a different word for His people. It was an assuring word of comfort.
“But do not fear, O My servant Jacob,
And do not be dismayed, O Israel!
For behold, I will save you from afar,
And your offspring from the land of their captivity;
Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease;
No one shall make him afraid.”
Jeremiah 46:27
1. “But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel”
a) Fear was in the hearts of the remnant of Judah.
b) Many fled to Egypt believing that they would be safe there.
Only to hear that God would punish Egypt at the hands of the Babylonians.
c) Addressing the fear of the remnant.
i) They need not give in to their fear.
ii) They need not be dismayed.
d) Old terms were used:
i) “O My servant Jacob”
ii) “O Israel”
iii) These terms were frequently used in the prophetic books.
e) These terms were used to express:
i) Affection from the LORD.
ii) The LORD still regarded the remnant with affection.
iii) The remnant would once again become a nation.
iv) The nation would once again be the Lord’s servant.
2. “For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity”
a) God will personally save them though He may seem to be afar off.
b) God will save their offspring, begotten in captivity.
c) God’s power to save is not limited at all.
3. “Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; no one shall make him afraid.”
a) God’s vision for the future was given to raise hope
b) Jacob (Israel):
i) The nation will have rest
ii) It will enjoy ease again
c) No one would cause them to fear
i) The remnant was afraid of enemies
ii) They longed to be free from fear
d) God would draw near to save the nation
i) This was a great promise
ii) But the people must exercise trust in the LORD