Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Jeremiah 48 - The Destruction of Moab

In this chapter, the prophet turns his attention to the Moabites. Jeremiah describes their sins, and their ultimate fate. Their sins of arrigance, haughtiness, pride in their wealth and jeering at those who were not as fortunate as they.  The destruction of their nation and culture that the prophet foretells is awful indeed.

Jeremiah 47 - The End of Philistia

Jeremiah prophecies about the end of the nation of the Phillistines.  We review the many descriptions of the barbarity of the Philistine people in the words of the prophets.  Jeremiah's prophecy is similar to the predictions of his predecessors.

Jeremiah 46 Explained - What's up with Egypt?

In this podcast, we explore what the sins of Egypt were that made them the target of the prophecies of destruction.  By analyzing the text of this chapter and the other prophets who discuss egypt, we get an idea of what lessons God wanted the Egyptians to learn.  Humility, reliability, and trustworthiness.

Jeremiah 46b - Babylon Takes it to Egypt

In the second prophesy regarding Egypt, Jeremiah  describes what will occur when Babylon takes the fight into Egypt's homeland.   He describes the Egyptian's hasty retreat and devastating loss to the invading Babylonians.  Pharoah is shown to be an unreliable leader, and will look like a fool.  In the final verses of this chapter, Jeremiah reassures the people of Israel. Although these other mighty empires may be destroyed, Israel need not be afraid. The children of Jacob, though they may suffer much in exile, will one day return to their land.  

Jeremiah 46a - The Battle of Carchemish

Jeremiah addresses the nations of the world, and begins with Egypt. In the first part of this chapter, the prophet tells Egypt that it will suffer shame and defeat at the hands of the Babylonians when they come to fight them in Carchemish. Carchemish is a city located in Syria near the Euphrates river.  The arrogance of the Egyptians will be their downfall.

Jeremiah 45 - God's Promise to Baruch

In a flashback to the days of Yehoyakim, we learn oif the concerns and suffering of jeremiah's faithful scribe Baruch. God guarantees that Baruch's life will be spared throughout all of the coming wars, as long as he remains humble and does not seek personal glory. 

Jeremiah 44 - Rejecting God's Message

Jeremiah and the people have very different versions of history, and tragically a very different understanding of God.  The people cling to the notion of a transactional God who wants to be appeased. Jeremiah continues to teach that what God wants is for us to live according to the ways He teaches us, not incense and sacrifices.  The people refuse to take heed, and insist in continuing their behavior.  Thus the Judean presence in Egypt will tragically be destroyed just as the presence in Judea was destroyed.

Jeremiah 43 - Return to Exile in Egypt

The Judean refugees ignore Jeremiah's advice, and they leave the land of Judea and head to Egypt.  What a tragic turn of history. The people as a nation was born escaping Egypt and they built a nation in their own land.  But they failed due to their sins and they now abandon their land and seek safety in the land of their former oppressors.  Jeremiah however, warns them verty clearly that things will not work out for them in Egypt.

Jeremiah 42 - Don't Abandon Your Land!

The people turn to Jeremiah for advice, do we leave Judea and seek refuge in Egypt, or do we risk the wrath of babylon and remain here?  Jeremiah gets his answer from God. You have nothing to fear from the King of Babylon, remain in your land and build it.  Rely on God, not the Egyptians.  If you run to Egypt you will not survive.  However, the people have already made up their mind. 

Jeremiah 41 - The Assassination of Gedaliah

In one of the most tragic events of Jewish history, Yishmael ben Netanya assassinates the last remaining hope for the people of Judah in their homeland.  He kills the soldiers, and takes the civilians captive.  When the news gets out, Yochanan and the other leaders loyal to Gedaliah rescue the captives and Yishmael runs away to the protection of his sponsors in Ammon.  The people gather together to decide what to do next.  Egypt seems like their only safe refuge.