The oracle against Egypt ends in Jeremiah 46:27–28 with a word of assurance addressed to the people of Israel which includes both Judah and northern Israel. Jeremiah also spoke these words in Jeremiah 30:10–11 which formed part of the promise of restoration and a new covenant in Jeremiah 30:1–31:40. The words are used here again to show that the Lord’s actions against Egypt are not divorced from the promised restoration of his people.1 The people of Israel found themselves as exiles in many of the surrounding nations, including Egypt. But as the Lord dealt with these nations, he would bring his people back from their land of captivity to Judah. These verses remind the Lord’s people that even the events of international politics are under his control. No king or kingdom determines the fate of his people, but only the Lord himself.2
The oracle against Egypt never suggests that Egypt is being punished for any sort of mistreatment of the Israelites. There is a great deal of irony and taunting in the oracle, but this is aimed at Egypt’s arrogance and pride because of its belief that it could rise up and rule the world. Pharoah is not the sovereign ruler of the world; the Lord is.3 This oracle will also have served as a warning to the people of Judah not to seek help and refuge from Egypt, but to rather submit to Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord’s servant. Sadly, they largely ignored this warning.
28 Toi, mon serviteur Jacob, ne crains pas! dit l'Eternel; Car je suis avec toi. J'exterminerai toutes les nations parmi lesquelles je t'ai dispersé, Mais toi, je ne t'exterminerai pas; Je te châtierai avec équité, Je ne puis pas te laisser impuni.