Babylon Will be Destroyed
April 28, 2020
Commentary
The Lord sends a destroying wind against Babylon and raises up foreign armies to attack from every direction (vv. 1â2). These invaders would leave the land desolate and empty. God commanded them to carry out His judgment completely (vv. 3â4). Babylon had been used by God as an instrument of judgment, but now the time had come for her own punishment. Although Israel and Judah had sinned greatly, the Lord had not abandoned His people (v. 5). He urged them to leave Babylon and escape the judgment that was com-ing upon the city (v. 6). Babylon had influenced many nations and spread its corruption throughout the world (v. 7). Yet its fall would come suddenly, and the city would be shattered (v. 8). Though people might try to save Babylon, its condition was beyond recovery. The nations would finally admit, âWe would have healed Babylon, but she is not healedâ (v. 9).
The people of Israel would see that God had brought justice upon Babylon for what it had done to them (v. 10). Jeremiah then describes the preparations for the invasion. The Lord stirred up the kings of the Medes to carry out His purpose against Babylon (v. 11). Armies gathered, watchmen were posted, and battle plans were set in motion (v. 12). No defense could stop what God had determined. Babylon was wealthy and powerful, living beside great waters and surrounded by resources (v. 13). Yet none of these things could save her. God declared that her end had come and that invading armies would cover the land like a swarm of locusts (v. 14). This passage reminds us that human power and worldly success are temporary. No one can stand against Godâs purposes. At the same time, the Lord remains faithful to His people and provides deliverance for those who trust in Him.
Application
Am I placing my confidence in God, or am I relying mainly on my own resources or abilities? Do I listen when God warns me through His Word? Is there anything in my life that competes with my devotion to Him? Am I willing to leave behind what is displeasing to God? How can I trust His faithfulness and follow Him more today?
Jeremiah 51:1–14 (NET)
1 The Lord says: âI will cause a destructive wind to blow against Babylon and the people who inhabit Babylonia.
2 I will send people to winnow Babylonia like a wind blowing away chaff. They will winnow her and strip her land bare. This will happen when they come against her from every direction, when it is time to destroy her.
3 Do not give her archers time to string their bows or to put on their coats of armor. Do not spare any of her young men. Completely destroy her whole army.
4 Let them fall slain in the land of Babylonia, mortally wounded in the streets of her cities.
5 âFor Israel and Judah will not be forsaken by their God, the Lord of Heavenâs Armies. For the land of Babylonia is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.
6 Get out of Babylonia quickly, you foreign people. Flee to save your lives. Do not let yourselves be killed because of her sins, for it is time for the Lord to wreak his revenge. He will pay Babylonia back for what she has done.
7 Babylonia had been a gold cup in the Lordâs hand; she had made the whole world drunk. The nations had drunk from the wine of her wrath, so they have all gone mad.
8 But suddenly Babylonia will fall and be destroyed. Cry out in mourning over it! Get medicine for her wounds; perhaps she can be healed!
9 Foreigners living there will say, âWe tried to heal her, but she could not be healed. Letâs leave Babylonia and each go back to his own country. For judgment on her will be vast in its proportions. It will be like it is piled up to heaven, stacked up into the clouds.â
10 The exiles from Judah will say, âThe Lord has brought about a great deliverance for us! Come on, letâs go and proclaim in Zion what the Lord our God has done!â
11 âSharpen your arrows! Fill your quivers! The Lord will arouse a spirit of hostility in the kings of Media, for he intends to destroy Babylonia. For that is how the Lord will get his revengeâ how he will get his revenge for the Babyloniansâ destruction of his temple.
12 Give the signal to attack Babylonâs wall! Bring more guards; post them all around the city. Put men in ambush, for the Lord will do what he has planned. He will do what he said he would do to the people of Babylon.
13 âYou who live along the rivers of Babylon, the time of your end has come. You who are rich in plundered treasure, it is time for your lives to be cut off.
14 The Lord of Heavenâs Armies has solemnly sworn, âI will fill your land with enemy soldiers. They will swarm over it like locusts. They will raise up shouts of victory over it.â
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