Jeremiah 27:5
By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.
By My great power and outstretched arm,

The Lord’s strength is shown in decisive acts of creation, deliverance, and judgment. The arm that redeemed Israel from Egypt now governs the nations confronting Judah, including Babylon.

Jer 32:17 Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth…
Deu 4:34 Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation……
Psa 136:12 with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.…

I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it,

The Creator possesses rightful authority over every land, nation, person, and creature. Human kingdoms exist within the order established by the One who made all things.

Isa 45:12 It is I who made the earth and created man…
Gen 1:24-27 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures”…
Neh 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens,…

and I give it to whom I please.

God was giving dominion to Nebuchadnezzar for a limited time as an instrument of judgment against Judah and surrounding nations. Babylon’s rise did not excuse its pride or violence, for God would later judge that empire as well. Earthly rulers hold authority only by God’s permission and remain accountable to Him.

Dan 4:17 This decision is the decree of the watchers,…
Dan 4:25 You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling…
Dan 2:21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah and the surrounding nations. He is known for his prophecies of judgment and restoration.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment and exile due to its disobedience to God.

3. Babylonian Exile
The event where the people of Judah were taken captive by the Babylonians, a central theme in Jeremiah's prophecies.

4. Nebuchadnezzar
The king of Babylon, whom God used as an instrument of judgment against Judah and other nations.

5. God's Sovereignty
The overarching theme of this passage, emphasizing God's control over creation and His authority to give dominion to whomever He chooses.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Creation
Recognize that God, as the Creator, has ultimate authority over all creation. This understanding should lead to a posture of humility and trust in His plans.

Divine Authority and Human Governance
Acknowledge that God appoints leaders and authorities according to His purposes. This should encourage believers to pray for leaders and trust God's overarching plan, even when earthly governance seems flawed.

Trust in God's Plan
In times of uncertainty or difficulty, remember that God is in control. His "great power and outstretched arm" are at work, even when circumstances are challenging.

Stewardship of Creation
As God has created and given the earth to humanity, believers are called to be good stewards of the environment and resources entrusted to them.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty in creation affect your view of current world events and leadership?

2. In what ways can you demonstrate trust in God's plan, especially when facing personal challenges or uncertainties?

3. How can the truth of God's authority over creation inspire you to be a better steward of the environment and resources?

4. Reflect on a time when you struggled with the actions of a leader or government. How can Jeremiah 27:5 guide your response and attitude?

5. How does the theme of God's sovereignty in Jeremiah 27:5 connect with the message of hope and restoration found later in Jeremiah's prophecies?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:1
This verse connects to the creation theme in Jeremiah 27:5, highlighting God's power in creating the heavens and the earth.

Daniel 4:17
This passage reinforces the idea of God's sovereignty over the kingdoms of men, similar to the message in Jeremiah 27:5.

Psalm 24:1
This verse echoes the theme of God's ownership of the earth and everything in it, aligning with the message of Jeremiah 27:5.
Jehovah's Consideration Towards Some Neighbors of IsraelD. Young Jeremiah 27:1-11
Divine Judgments not to be ResistedA.F. Muir Jeremiah 27:1-22
God and the EarthHomilistJeremiah 27:4-5
Meetness Before GodP. B. Power, M. A.Jeremiah 27:4-5
The Divine Distribution of the Earth Amongst MenHomilistJeremiah 27:4-5
The Earth Made by GodH. W. Beecher.Jeremiah 27:4-5
People
Ammonites, Jeconiah, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah, Zidon
Places
Ammon, Babylon, Jerusalem, Moab, Sidon, Tyre
Topics
Animals, Anyone, Arm, Beast, Beasts, Cattle, Face, Ground, Lords, Meet, Outstretched, Out-stretched, Please, Pleasing, Pleasure, Power, Seemed, Seemeth, Seems, Sight, Stretched-out, Surface, Thus, Whomever
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 27:5

     4060   nature
     4203   earth, the
     5020   human nature
     5126   arm
     5955   strength, divine

Jeremiah 27:1-7

     1431   prophecy, OT methods

Library
Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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