Read Jeremiah 47 in the King James Bible (opens in a new tab)
Jeremiah 47 contains the Lord’s prophetic word against the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza. Jeremiah describes an overwhelming enemy coming from the north like rising floodwaters, bringing terror and devastation upon the land, its cities, and their inhabitants. Gaza and Ashkelon are singled out as places of mourning, while the wider Philistine strength is shown to be powerless before the appointed judgment. The chapter’s closing cry asks how long the sword of the Lord will continue, but the answer makes clear that it cannot rest until it has completed the purpose God assigned to it. Jeremiah 47 therefore warns that neither military strength, geography, nor desperate human resistance can provide refuge when God’s righteous judgment has been appointed.
Jeremiah 47:1 - 47:7
1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
2 Thus saith the Lord; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
3 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong [horses], at the rushing of his chariots, [and at] the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to [their] children for feebleness of hands;
4 Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
5 Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off [with] the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6 O thou sword of the Lord, how long [will it be] ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
7 How can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.