The passage

1This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations: 2Concerning Egypt: This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: 23They will chop down her forest,” declares the Lord, “dense though it be. They are more numerous than locusts, they cannot be counted.

Also referenced today

The shape of the message

1. Misplaced trust: running to something other than God when afraid
2. Why Egypt looked like the obvious solution for Judah
3. Egypt’s collapse: Carchemish and the limits of earthly power
4. Mercenaries and hirelings contrasted with Jesus the Good Shepherd
5. God’s faithfulness to His people: “Do not fear… I am with you”
6. Personal application: identifying and turning from your “Egypt”

Questions to hold while you listen

• Where do you tend to run when you get scared, and what does that reveal about what you trust most?
• What are some ways good gifts (advisors, doctors, planning) can become a misplaced source of confidence instead of God?
• Why is it persuasive when something “looks strong,” and how does Jeremiah 46 challenge that perspective?
• How does the contrast between mercenaries and Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:12–14) speak to hardship you’re facing?
• What difference does it make to hear God’s promise as “I am with you” rather than “you won’t suffer”?

Notes

This week

Write down your answer to the question, “What is my Egypt—what am I trusting more than God, and where do I run when life gets scary?” Choose one specific place you’ve been leaning on for security and deliberately put your trust in Christ, His Word, His promises, and His timing.