Jeremiah 32:21
You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to focus on God's power in freeing Israel from Egypt, but notice the "great terror." This wasn't just about God's mighty acts; it was about the fear those acts instilled in Israel's enemies, a powerful demonstration that their God was truly in control. This terror also served to awe the Israelites themselves, reminding them of the fearful majesty of the One leading them.
Jeremiah is in the midst of praying after buying a field, a seemingly illogical act given that Jerusalem is about to fall and be destroyed. He begins by recounting God's mighty acts of redemption for Israel, specifically recalling the miraculous Exodus from Egypt, emphasizing the undeniable power and awe-inspiring divine intervention that secured their freedom. This remembrance of past faithfulness serves as the foundation for Jeremiah's current plea, reminding God and himself of His consistent character even in the face of present devastation.
Jeremiah reminds us of God's powerful intervention in the past. But what exactly are these 'signs and wonders' and why does he bring them up now?
When Jeremiah writes about God bringing Israel out of Egypt 'with signs and wonders,' he's referencing the dramatic plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. These weren't just random events; they were God's unmistakable demonstrations of power.
A Divine Display
Jeremiah uses this imagery to underscore that the God who delivered Israel from slavery with such undeniable force is the same God he is praying to in his own desperate situation. He's reminding God (and himself!) of God's proven track record of powerful intervention.
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We hear about God's 'strong hand and outstretched arm' often. What does this powerful imagery truly convey about God's action and His people?
The phrases 'strong hand' and 'outstretched arm' are powerful metaphors for God's active and protective power.
God's Active Power:
These aren't just abstract descriptions; they paint a picture of a God who personally and forcefully intervened to rescue His people from the oppressive might of Egypt. It assures us that God’s power is not distant or indifferent, but engaged and capable of overcoming even the most formidable opposition.
The verse ends with 'great terror.' Who was terrified, and what does this reveal about God's character and His impact on the world?
The inclusion of 'great terror' highlights the awe-inspiring and fear-inducing power of God's actions during the Exodus. This terror wasn't just about the Egyptians' panic, but also the profound respect and fear it instilled in others.
Awe and Dread:
This 'terror' is a facet of God's glory – a reminder that He is not only loving and powerful but also a righteous judge whose might commands respect and awe.
Understand the original words
oth, mophet · Hebrew Noun
Divine acts that display God's power and confirm His message, often serving to authenticate His presence and authority. They are intended to prompt belief and demonstrate His sovereignty over creation and history.
yad chazaqah uzeroa netuyah · Hebrew Noun phrase
An anthropomorphic expression denoting God's sovereign, irresistible power applied in history to deliver His people or execute His judgment. It emphasizes that God is active, intentional, and mighty in fulfilling His purposes.
Jeremiah recalls the foundational act of the Exodus, a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His people and His absolute power over nations, even amidst the current crisis of exile.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through a series of plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, demonstrating His mighty power.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
After the Exodus, the Israelites journey through the Sinai wilderness for 40 years, during which God continues to provide for and guide them.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin the military campaign to take possession of the Promised Land.
c. 1050 BC
Establishment of the Monarchy
Saul is anointed as the first king of Israel, ushering in a new era of national leadership and identity.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and scattering them.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem and carries away some of the Judean elite, including Daniel, to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining Judean population.
This passage directly describes the 'signs and wonders' God used during the Exodus, specifically the plague of the firstborn, highlighting the terror that led to Israel's release.
Deuteronomy 4:34This verse echoes Jeremiah's language, reminding Israel that God brought them out of Egypt with mighty deeds and powerful displays to make nations tremble and know His name.
Psalm 136:11-12This psalm celebrates God's steadfast love through the Exodus, recounting His powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt 'with a strong hand and outstretched arm,' reinforcing the immense power involved.
Deuteronomy 26:8This verse provides a liturgical recounting of the Exodus, mirroring Jeremiah's description by mentioning God bringing them out with signs, wonders, a strong hand, and an outstretched arm.
Joshua 2:9-11This passage shows the 'great terror' mentioned by Jeremiah affecting the nations, as Rahab recounts how the news of God's mighty acts in Egypt and at the Red Sea had made the Canaanites' hearts melt with fear.
pooleJeremiah 32:21: "And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;"
The history of this we have in the eleven or twelve first chapters of Exodus. God sent ten plagues upon Egypt one after another, before Pharaoh would let them go; and when he pursued after them, divided the Red Sea for them, that they might pass through, and then brought the waters back upon the Egyptians,…
ellicottJeremiah 32:21: "And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;"
(21-23) And hast brought forth thy people Israel . . . —The verses travel over ground so familiar as to require no comment, but the parallelism with Deuteronomy 26:8 , with the other prophetic prayers above referred to, and with Psalm 136:11-12 , is significant. The thoughts of all true worshippers moved mo…
It's easy to focus on God's power in freeing Israel from Egypt, but notice the "great terror." This wasn't just about God's mighty acts; it was about the fear those acts instilled in Israel's enemies, a powerful demonstration that their God was truly in control. This terror also served to awe the Israelites themselves, reminding them of the fearful majesty of the One leading them.
Jeremiah is in the midst of praying after buying a field, a seemingly illogical act given that Jerusalem is about to fall and be destroyed. He begins by recounting God's mighty acts of redemption for Israel, specifically recalling the miraculous Exodus from Egypt, emphasizing the undeniable power and awe-inspiring divine intervention that secured their freedom. This remembrance of past faithfulness serves as the foundation for Jeremiah's current plea, reminding God and himself of His consistent character even in the face of present devastation.
Jeremiah is in the midst of praying after buying a field, a seemingly illogical act given that Jerusalem is about to fall and be destroyed. He begins by recounting God's mighty acts of redemption for Israel, specifically recalling the miraculous Exodus from Egypt, emphasizing the undeniable power and awe-inspiring divine intervention that secured their freedom. This remembrance of past faithfulness serves as the foundation for Jeremiah's current plea, reminding God and himself of His consistent character even in the face of present devastation.
"You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror." — It's easy to focus on God's power in freeing Israel from Egypt, but notice the "great terror." This wasn't just about God's mighty acts; it was about the fear those acts instilled in Israel's enemies…
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