Who can stand?

Behold, like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make him run away from her. And I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me?
Jeremiah 49:19

Standing against the purposes of God has about as much of a chance of success as surviving against a charging lion! You will not be standing after the attack. God's power attends His purposes. And He will work His will among men. It is an inescapable reality.

The context of this metaphor is judgment upon Edom. The last few chapters of Jeremiah detail God's judgments against the historic enemies of Israel and Judah. He outlines in oracles the unstoppable justice of God against the foes of the Jews. And in all these prophecies there is an overwhelming sense of God's sovereign control. The nations cannot stand against Him. He will do as He pleases with kings and armies.

The tendency might have been for the Edomites to delight in the destruction of Jerusalem. But Nebuchadnezzar would extend Babylon's power across the Middle East. And the Edomites would not be free to scoff at Jerusalem for long. They too would suffer justice at the hands of the Chaldean army. The roaring of the lion would sweep through the hillsides and desert rocks until not a shepherd nomad of the Edomites would escape. All would know the loss that God had decreed.

It does no good to rage against a sovereign God. The world is His creation. Mankind is His kingdom. And He is moving all of world history to come to the knowledge of Him. Biblical prophecy calls us to believe us. Past prophecies have come to fruition, compelling us to believe with holy fear. And future prophecies point the same direction. Who is like God? Who can stand before Him?