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Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 43 - Verse 10

43:10
And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

Meaning

Jeremiah 43:10 reveals a significant prophecy from the LORD of hosts to the people of Israel. In this verse, God informs the people that He will send Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, as His servant to carry out His plan. The mention of Nebuchadnezzar being God's servant may seem surprising, as he was a pagan ruler. However, this demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to use even those outside of His chosen people to accomplish His purposes. The verse also speaks of setting Nebuchadnezzar's throne upon hidden stones, indicating a divine plan being set in motion. This prophecy ultimately comes to pass as Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem and establishes his rule over the region, fulfilling God's will. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority and His ability to work through both the faithful and the unfaithful to bring about His plans.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Jeremiah, the prophet delivers a message from the Lord to the people of Israel. The Lord refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, as his servant. This may seem surprising, as Nebuchadnezzar was not a follower of the God of Israel. However, the theological interpretation here is that God is sovereign over all kings and rulers, even those who do not acknowledge Him. By calling Nebuchadnezzar his servant, the Lord is emphasizing that He is in control of all powers on earth, and can use even those who do not believe in Him to accomplish His purposes. The word "servant" in this context does not imply that Nebuchadnezzar worshipped the God of Israel, but rather that he was being used as an instrument of God's will. This verse also speaks to the theme of divine judgment, as Nebuchadnezzar is being sent by the Lord to carry out His plans, which include the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Israelites. The mention of hiding stones and setting his throne upon them symbolizes the establishment of Nebuchadnezzar's reign and the exaltation of Babylon as a powerful empire.

American Standard Version

and say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
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