Egypt rises like the Nile, like rivers of surging waters. She says, 'I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy cities and their people.' – Jeremiah 46:8

Today's Scripture Reading (June 2, 2023): Jeremiah 46

Genghis Khan (1162-1227). In the early years of the thirteenth century, just the name of the Mongolian leader was enough to drive people into a panic. He began the Mongolian Empire's spread throughout the East and even moved west toward the great European civilizations of the day. To watch the spread of the Mongolian Empire it was almost like a flood had started in Mongolia and then spread throughout the known world. And to hear that Khan and his forces were heading your way was enough to drive terror into the hearts of the one receiving the message.

And the terror was not uncalled for. Khan and his forces were known for mass murder and making slaves of anyone who resisted their aims. The spread of Khan's Empire continued until Genghis Khan died on August 25, 1227, at the age of 65. Khan died during a military campaign, just as he had spent most of his life fighting those who opposed him. But contemporary experts do not believe that the Mongolian leader died in battle. Most believe he died of a sickness or disease, and most today seem to favor death due to the bubonic plague. The body of Genghis Kahn was buried close to his home in an unmarked grave, as was the custom for the tribe from which Khan arose.

Jeremiah speaks a lot about Babylon in his writings, but there was a second power during his day, and that power was Egypt. And Jeremiah tells his readers that Egypt will also rise and become an almost unstoppable force.

One important note for us as we read Jeremiah's words is that the weeping prophet doesn't actually mention the Nile River. This verse in Jeremiah might be better translated as "Egypt rises up like a flood and the waters are moved like the rivers." As a result, there is some discussion among biblical experts over which river Jeremiah is speaking of, or maybe it is just the action of some generic river at its flood stage. What makes some experts believe that Jeremiah is talking about the Nile is that he used the plural "rivers." The belief is that this use of the plural would indicate the Nile and its irrigation canals, which flooded the fertile farmland regularly, allowing for the growth of much-needed crops.

But regardless of the river, Jeremiah's point remains. This wasn't about good or bad countries. Yes, Babylon was a threat, but so was Egypt. Both of the major powers of the day were dangerous, and both could be used to exercise God's judgment on his people. And, just as Genghis Khan had later in history, Egypt could rise like a flood that would cover the land.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 47