The nations in chs. 46—51 typify nine different aspects of the world. Just as Israel as God’s Old Testament elect was involved with the nations, the church as God’s New Testament elect is involved with the world in its many aspects. Jeremiah presents a vivid picture of God’s punishment and judgment on the nations so that we may know how to have a clear separation from the world and not be mixed with any of its aspects (John 12:31; 17:14-21; Gal. 6:14; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 2:15-17). God will come in to judge the world in all its aspects and to make a clear distinction between the church, which is today’s Israel (Gal. 6:16 and note Gal. 6:16^4c), and every aspect of the world.

Jeremiah prophesied concerning the nations because in His economy God needs them. On the one hand, God needs His chosen people to express Him; on the other hand, He needs another people, the nations, to behold and admire this expression, which is His masterpiece (Eph. 2:10), the New Jerusalem. The nations around the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:24, 26; 22:2b) will eventually come from the nations concerning which Jeremiah and other Old Testament prophets prophesied.

Egypt, symbolically or poetically called Rahab (Psa. 87:4; Isa. 51:9), typifies the world of making a living and of enjoyment (Gen. 12:10; 41:57; 42:1-3; Num. 11:4-6; Heb. 11:25), with which Satan, the ruler of the world (John 12:31), typified by Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, occupies and usurps the people chosen by God for His economy (Exo. 1:8-14). The name Rahab refers to a monster, to a large sea animal. This indicates that God regards Egypt as a monster, as an ugly, terrifying sea animal.

Probably the Lydians of Asia Minor.

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

According to the Septuagint; the Hebrew text repeats, has come.

The most honorable god in Egypt.

According to this word and Isa. 19:19-25 Egypt will have a remnant to be among the restored nations in the new heaven and new earth.

Jeremiah declared God’s judgment on Egypt because Israel depended on Egypt, thus offending God. Israel also suffered that judgment; hence, Jeremiah gave Israel the word of comfort in vv. 27-28 (cf. Jer. 30:10-11). This word will be fulfilled at the time of the restoration (Matt. 19:28), in the millennium, the thousand-year kingdom (Rev. 20:4-6).