Hope For Iran….And For Us
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Jeremiah 49:34-39-Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, The foremost of their might. 36 Against Elam I will bring the four winds From the four quarters of heaven, And scatter them toward all those winds; There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go. 37 For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies And before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, My fierce anger,’ says the LORD; ‘And I will send the sword after them Until I have consumed them. 38 I will set My throne in Elam, And will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the LORD. 39 ‘But it shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring back the captives of Elam,’ says the LORD.”
The world right now is watching Iran.
Some are watching with a sense of doom, and it is understandable. Many of us have loved ones in the military, many of us have family and friends overseas, and the prospect of war is a frightening one. Yet as Christians, we are exhorted to remember that we are not ruled by a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). And in regard to Iran, we have good reason to look at events there with hopeful optimism. This is based on God’s promise in Jeremiah regarding the nation of “Elam.”
What does this have to do with Iran?
You see, Elam is one of the ancient names for the land of Iran!
“Elam was an important state in southwestern Iran from the third millennium BC to the appearance of the Persian Empire and beyond.” (D.T. Potts, The Archaeology Of Elam: Formation And Transformation Of An Ancient Iranian State, 1, 12 (Kindle Edition); Cambridge World Archaeology)
This prophecy of Jeremiah is said to be fulfilled during “the latter days.”
Sometimes in the Old Testament, this phrase could reference the latter part of a person’s life before death (Job 42:12; Proverbs 19:20; Numbers 24:14), the end of a king’s (or a kingdom’s) reign (Deuteronomy 4:30; 30:1-3;31:29), or to the Christian Age (from the death of Christ to the end of the world-Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21; Hebrews 1:1-3). When we look at how this phrase is used throughout the Book of Jeremiah, we see that its primary significance is during the Christian Age (cf. Jeremiah 23:20 with Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 30:23 with Jeremiah 30:9; 48:47).
God says here that during the Christian Age, He will do at least three things in regard to Iran. He will bring judgment on the rulers of Elam, He will establish His throne there, and He will “bring back the captives” (or the captivity) of Elam. This last expression was a Jewish expression that meant to “reverse the fortune” of a nation or a person. Notice how this is rendered in some other translations of Scripture:
Jeremiah 49:39 (ERV)-“But in the future I will make good things happen to Elam.” This message is from the LORD.
Again:
Jeremiah 49:39 (ISV)-“But in the latter days I’ll restore the fortunes of Elam,” declares the LORD.
One scholarly work has noted:
“The expression restore the fortunes or “reverse the fortunes” ( šûḇ š e ḇûṯ , lit. “turn the turning”) occurs frequently in the OT. The translation “turn the captivity” 1 is incorrect and the phrase occurs at times where no captivity is in view (e.g., Job 42:10; Ezek. 16:53). What is in view here is either a reversal of the fortunes of Yahweh’s people or a restoration of their fortunes.” (J.A. Thompson, The New International Commentary On The Old Testament: The Book Of Jeremiah,11060 (Kindle Edition); Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
Here are a few things to consider about this prophecy.
First, we are reminded that God is concerned-not only with the Jewish people as many believe-but with persons from all nations. Scattered throughout the Old Testament are great prophecies of redemption promised for all humanity. The Jewish people were to be proclaimers of this hope to the entire world (Exodus 19:5-6), as we are called to be as Christians (1 Peter 2:9). If God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35), Christians should not be either (Galatians 3:26-29). Outside of Christ, Iranians are no more enemies of God then are people of any country-just like you and I were (Colossians 1:21). Racism should have no part in the heart of the child of God; and where it is present, it must be fought against (Galatians 5:16-17).
Second, this passage reminds us that sometimes God is opposed to kings and rulers over the nations because they are wicked and unjust. This is no less true today (Colossians 1:16-21). As in that time, we are called upon to pray for the salvation of wicked authorities and people (Psalm 83:16; Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4) even as we defend the oppressed and speak God’s Word in love (Jeremiah 20:9; 38:1-29; Acts 9:15; Ephesians 4:15).
Third, we see here a remarkable reminder that in the midst of calamity and suffering, God is at work to bring forth goodness in this world. Indeed, notice that this prophecy of Jeremiah began to be fulfilled on that great day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when the church of Christ was born into the world!
Acts 2:5-9-And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Did you notice who was present on that holiday?
“Elamites.”
Or:
“Iranians.”
God’s kingdom began to be established through the people of Iran on that day, and His work continues, even now! The Word gives hope for every situation and challenge. As we approach this difficult season with Iran, let us look to the future with hopeful optimism that people there (and everywhere) will embrace the Good News of Jesus.
Acts 2:38-39-Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Father, thank You for always bringing hope in seemingly hopeless situations. We pray for all the leaders of the world, for our soldiers, for the people of Iran, and for our enemies. May each and every one have time and opportunity to hear the Word of Jesus and be saved. He is our light in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome Him. Be with us today. Amen.