Jeremiah 49:38–39: “I will set My throne in Elam, / And will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the LORD. / But it shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring back the captives of Elam,’ says the LORD.”

November 17th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

In this chapter, God predicted the fall of 5 Gentile, pagan nations who were neighbors of Israel and had opposed them. This section deals with the Elamites, who were located in modern-day Iran. The first part of the prophecy, the destruction of Elam, took place not long after Jeremiah’s prophecy, when the Persian King Darius conquered the capital and then ruled his vast empire from it. The second half, to bring Elam back, was fulfilled 600 years later at Pentecost, when the disciples spoke in unknown tongues and were understood by Elamite people in the crowd (Acts 2:9). They returned to their country and brought the gospel back with them.

Almighty God raises up and puts down kings and nations, even using the actions of non-believing Gentile leaders to ultimately fulfill His purposes. God’s great desire is that individuals from “every tribe and tongue” will surrender to Him, receive eternal life, and spend eternity with Him (Rev. 7:9).

It is our great privilege to introduce others to God and His free gift of eternal life. Some struggle with the idea that simply believing is enough for salvation, thinking it too simplistic and that it somehow devalues the gift, but that could not be further from the truth. It is said that Caesar once gave a very valuable present, and when the receiver protested that it was too costly a gift, the Emperor answered that it was not too great a thing for Caesar to give. Our heavenly Father, King over all the cosmos, delights to use us. And we delight Him when we ask for great grace to serve Him well.

“LORD, please give to us great grace this day so that we can lead others to Your salvation.”