The LORD Will Take Revenge on Babylon
May 26, 2022
Commentary
The Lord says Babylon will soon be leveled like a threshing floor at harvest time (v. 33). Judah reminded the Lord of what Nebuchadnezzar had done to them (vv. 34–35). They said he had been like a vicious monster who picked up Judah as if it were a jar full of food, swallowed it, emptied it, and then shattered the jar. He had cruelly chewed them up and spit them out (v. 34). Many were harmed, and others were killed (v. 35). In response, the Lord assured them that He was on their side and would take revenge on Babylon by drying up its waters and turning the city into a heap of ruins (vv. 36–37). Though Babylon seemed strong and fierce like young lions (v. 38), their feasting and drunkenness would end in destruction. God declared that they would be led away to slaughter like sheep, lambs, and goats (vv. 39- 40).
Babylon was famous among the nations, yet its fall would bring shock and horror (v. 41). Invading armies would sweep over the land like the sea (v. 42). After the flood of destruction passed, Babylon would be left desolate, like a barren wilderness where no one wished to live (v. 43). The Lord would punish Marduk, Babylon’s god, and expose its helplessness (v. 44). For the third time, God commanded His people to leave Babylon and escape His judgment (v. 45). They were not to be frightened by rumors, political unrest, or reports of violence that spread throughout the empire (v. 46). Babylon’s idols could do nothing against them (v. 47). When Babylon finally fell, heaven and earth would rejoice because God’s justice had been accomplished (v. 48). Through this prophecy, God reminded His people that no kingdom, no matter how strong, can stand against His righteous judgment.
Application
I am reminded that God sees every wrong and will bring justice in His time. When I feel hurt, do I trust Him to defend me rather than seek revenge? Am I holding on to things that take God’s place? Do I let problems or uncertainty control me? Will I obey God when He tells me to leave sinful influences behind and trust His care?
Jeremiah 51:33–48 (NET)
33 For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘Fair Babylon will be like a threshing floor that has been trampled flat for harvest. The time for her to be cut down and harvested will come very soon.’
34 “King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon devoured me and drove my people out. Like a monster from the deep he swallowed me. He filled his belly with my riches; he made me an empty dish. He completely cleaned me out.”
35 The person who lives in Zion says, “May Babylon pay for the violence done to me and to my relatives.” Jerusalem says, “May those living in Babylonia pay for the bloodshed of my people.”
36 Therefore the Lord says, “I will stand up for your cause. I will pay the Babylonians back for what they have done to you. I will dry up their sea; I will make their springs run dry.
37 Babylon will become a heap of ruins. Jackals will make their home there. It will become an object of horror and of hissing scorn, a place where no one lives.
38 The Babylonians are all like lions roaring for prey; they are like lion cubs growling for something to eat.
39 When their appetites are all stirred up, I will set out a banquet for them. I will make them drunk so that they will pass out, they will fall asleep forever, they will never wake up,” says the Lord.
40 “I will lead them off to be slaughtered like lambs, rams, and male goats.
41 “See how Babylon has been captured! See how the pride of the whole earth has been taken! See what an object of horror Babylon has become among the nations!
42 The sea has swept over Babylon. She has been covered by a multitude of its waves.
43 The towns of Babylonia have become heaps of ruins. She has become a dry and barren desert. No one lives in those towns any more; no one even passes through them.
44 I will punish the god Bel in Babylon. I will make him spit out what he has swallowed. The nations will not come streaming to him any longer. Indeed, the walls of Babylon will fall.
45 “Get out of Babylon, my people! Flee to save your lives from the fierce anger of the Lord!
46 Do not lose your courage or become afraid because of the reports that are heard in the land. For a report will come in one year. Another report will follow it in the next. There will be violence in the land with ruler fighting against ruler.
47 “So the time will certainly come when I will punish the idols of Babylon. Her whole land will be put to shame. All her mortally wounded will collapse in her midst.
48 Then heaven and earth and all that is in them will sing for joy over Babylon. For destroyers from the north will attack it,” says the Lord.
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