Jeremiah Gives Seraiah a Scroll
June 28, 2019
Commentary
It was God’s plan that Babylon would fall because she was responsible for the deaths of many Israelites (v. 49). The Lord made it clear that there was no future for those who chose to remain in Babylon. Those who left and returned to their homeland would experience a new beginning under His blessing (v. 50). The exiles felt disgraced and ashamed because of what the Babylonians had done to the temple in Jerusalem (v. 51). Yet God promised to judge Babylon. He would punish its idols and fill the land with the thewounded (v. 52). Although Babylon’s high walls and massive gates seemed impossible to overcome, they would not save the city. The Lord declared that its defenses would become fuel for the thefire when the invaders came (v. 53).
Cries for help would rise from Babylon as destruction spread throughout the land (v. 54). The noise of the attackers would drown out the cries of the people (v. 55). The Lord would take vengeance, capture Babylon’s warriors and breaking their weapons (v. 56). He promised that the officials, governors, and soldiers would become drunk, fall into adeep sleep, and never awaken (v. 57). The city’s walls would be torn down, its gates burned. The people’s labor would end in smoke and ashes (v. 58). When Seraiah traveled to Babylon with King Zedekiah, Jeremiah gave him a scroll describing Babylon’s coming judgment (vv. 59–60). Seraiah was to read it aloud and pray, “O LORD, You have spoken against this place to cut it off” (v. 62). Then he was to throw the scroll into the Euphrates River as a sign that Babylon would sink and never rise again under God’s judgment (vv. 63–64). Through this message, the Lord reminded His people that His word never fails and that every prophecy He speaks will be fulfilled.
Application
God’s word never fails. What strongholds am I trusting in instead of the Lord? Am I holding on to anything that God wants me to leave behind? When I feel ashamed, do I remember that God can give a new beginning? Do I believe His promises even when circumstances seem impossible? Will I trust and obey His word today?
Jeremiah 51:49–64 (NET)
49 “Babylon must fall because of the Israelites she has killed, just as the earth’s mortally wounded fell because of Babylon.
50 You who have escaped the sword, go, do not delay. Remember the Lord in a faraway land. Think about Jerusalem.
51 ‘We are ashamed because we have been insulted. Our faces show our disgrace. For foreigners have invaded the holy rooms in the Lord’s temple.’
52 Yes, but the time will certainly come,” says the Lord, “when I will punish her idols. Throughout her land the mortally wounded will groan.
53 Even if Babylon climbs high into the sky and fortifies her elevated stronghold, I will send destroyers against her,” says the Lord.
54 Cries of anguish will come from Babylon, the sound of great destruction from the land of the Babylonians.
55 For the Lord is ready to destroy Babylon, and put an end to her loud noise. Their waves will roar like turbulent waters. They will make a deafening noise.
56 For a destroyer is attacking Babylon. Her warriors will be captured; their bows will be broken. For the Lord is a God who punishes; he pays back in full.
57 “I will make her officials and wise men drunk, along with her governors, leaders, and warriors. They will fall asleep forever and never wake up,” says the King whose name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
58 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “Babylon’s thick wall will be completely demolished. Her high gates will be set on fire. The peoples strive for what does not satisfy. The nations grow weary trying to get what will be destroyed.”
59 This is the order Jeremiah the prophet gave to Seraiah son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, when he went to King Zedekiah of Judah in Babylon during the fourth year of his reign. (Seraiah was a quartermaster.) 60 Jeremiah recorded on one scroll all the judgments that would come upon Babylon—all these prophecies written about Babylon. 61 Then Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “When you arrive in Babylon, make sure you read aloud all these prophecies. 62 Then say, ‘O Lord, you have announced that you will destroy this place so that no people or animals live in it any longer. Certainly it will lie desolate forever!’ 63 When you finish reading this scroll aloud, tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates River. 64 Then say, ‘In the same way Babylon will sink and never rise again because of the disaster I am ready to bring upon her; they will grow faint.’” The prophecies of Jeremiah end here.
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