God Still Judges the Nations

Jeremiah 10:7 “Who would not fear thee, O King of nations?”

Nations rise and fall at the hand of the Lord. Human power structures are temporary; God’s covenant purposes are eternal.

After the flood, God allowed men to form nations—so long as they remained divided (Gen. 10:5, 32; Deut. 32:8). But in Genesis 11 the human race rejected God’s order and attempted to build their own “united nations” at Babel. Their ambition was unity without God, strength without submission, and progress without obedience. Heaven intervened, scattered them, and confounded their language (Gen. 11:8-9).

The lesson is unmistakable: God alone is the Judge of Nations.Jeremiah calls Him the “King of nations” (Jer. 10:7). Every capital, every parliament, every chamber of power stands open before His eyes—“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3). No government functions off the record. No nation operates beyond reach. Every rise, every decline, every shift belongs to Him.

Scripture shows His judgments can be subtle, severe, or devastating—famine in David’s day (2 Sam. 21:1), drought under Elijah (1 Kgs. 17:1), and the complete destruction of Jerusalem (Jer. 52–Lam. 5). And He tells us plainly that the rise and fall of nations is as effortless to Him as planting or pulling up a plant (Jer. 18:7-10).

Human kingdoms glory in their power, but God is not impressed. “The nations are as a drop of a bucket” (Isa. 40:15). In fact, He goes further—“less than nothing, and vanity” (Isa. 40:17). Patriotism may swell human hearts, but the King of nations is not moved by flags, borders, or political prestige.

Yes, God does bless a righteous nation (Psa. 33:12), but history testifies that nations seldom remain righteous. Pride grows, sin multiplies, and God “putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Psa. 75:6-7). This cycle has governed Gentile power for millennia, but Scripture declares it will end with global judgment (Zeph. 3:8-9; Joel 3:2; Matt. 25:32). The “times of the Gentiles” are winding down (Luke 21:24).

God’s Country

Yet amidst this revolving door of empires, one nation stands in a category of its own. After Babel’s rebellion, God called Abram from that very region—Ur of the Chaldees—and made an unconditional covenant (Gen. 12:1-3). God promised land, a great nation, blessing for those who blessed Israel, and cursing for those who opposed her.

Five truths anchor this covenant:

1. It is unconditional.

   No “if.” No conditions. God binds Himself.

2. It includes literal land.

3. It guarantees a literal nation descending from Abraham.

4. It includes a divine blessing on Abraham and those who bless Israel.

5. It includes a divine curse on those who curse Israel.

Nothing in Scripture cancels this covenant—not the Law of Moses (which came centuries later), not the Cross, and not the Church Age. Moses’ law was fulfilled at Calvary (Matt. 5:17; John 19:30; Col. 2:14). Abraham’s covenant remains as intact as God’s covenant with Noah (Gen. 9:11-17).

Every rainbow reminds us of God’s promise to Noah.Every Jew, every Israeli flag, every preserved remnant of Abraham’s seed stands as a living reminder of Genesis 12:1-3.

The nations will be judged, but God’s covenant people will remain.

Reflection Questions

1. How does remembering God as “King of nations” change the way you view world events?

2. Which earthly identities (political, national, cultural) compete for your trust more than they should?

3. How should God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel strengthen your confidence in His promises to you?

Pray specifically today for your nation—not in fear, but in submission—asking the Lord to keep your heart anchored in His kingdom, not in the instability of earthly powers.