Jeremiah 47:6-7

If the Lord is not in it…it will not stand! 

He can use whomever He chooses to punish the sins of a nation. He always has the final word.

Pray for the world!

Ashkelon was an ancient Canaanite city-state on the Mediterranean coast. Joshua 13:3 lists it as one of the five cities of the Philistines, and it was captured by Judah during the conquest (Judges 1:18). Ashkelon also is mentioned in the story of Samson (Judges 14:19). Most likely, the Canaanite city was settled by the Philistines after the Sea Peoples failed to conquer Egypt around 1190 bc. Ashkelon was a strategic port—a logical place for Egypt to station enemies-turned-mercenaries who had invaded by sea. Ashkelon did not yield to Babylonian rule after the Battle of Carchemish, so Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city in 604 bc. It was rebuilt into a thriving port in the Persian period and continued to be an important regional city until 1270 ad. Faithlife Bible.

The image of the sword of the Lord is often used to portray divine judgment. The judgment had long been withheld; the long-suffering of the Lord had reached its end. NKJ Bible.

Jeremiah 47:6–7 (NKJV)

⁶ “O you sword of the Lord,

How long until you are quiet?

Put yourself up into your scabbard,

Rest and be still!

⁷ How can it be quiet,

Seeing the Lord has given it a charge

Against Ashkelon and against the seashore?

There He has appointed it.”

Micah 6:9 (NKJV)

⁹ The Lord’s voice cries to the city—

Wisdom shall see Your name:

“Hear the rod!

Who has appointed it?