Babylon Will be Destroyed

Jeremiah 51:1–14
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

The Lord sends a wind storm to destroy Babylon (v. 1). Foreign soldiers come from every direction and Babylonia will be empty and worthless (v. 2). He will tell these soldiers to kill and destroy their army before they can string their bows (vv. 3-4). Everyone in Israel and Judah is guilty but God has not abandoned them and ordered them the second time to go out of Babylon when the opportunity came (vv.5-6). Babylon was filled with the wine of His anger, causing the nations of the world to go insane (v. 7) but suddenly Babylon will fall and be destroyed (v. 8). They were told to get medicine for its wounds but the foreigners said they had tried to treat Babylon’s wounds, but they would not heal (v. 9).

The people of Israel said, “Tell everyone in Zion the Lord has taken revenge for what Babylon did to us” (v. 10). The Lord wants Babylon destroyed and Jeremiah describes the preparations of the armies who are set to attack them. He identifies the attackers as the kings of the Medes (which is today northern Iran (v. 11). The signal flag is raised to attack the city walls as the soldiers set up ambushes but nothing can stop them (v. 12). He warned them to get ready, set up their defense on the walls, and post watchman, because the invasion is about to begin (“thine end is come”) (v.13). He will carry out His purpose to destroy the Babylonians (who live by the Euphrates river) because He has promised that these invaders will completely cover Babylon like a swarm of locusts (v. 14). 

Application

It is easy for us today to put our hope in this present world. Many put there hope in money and material things. When these are gone all hope is gone and some even commit suicide because of it. If my hope is in the Lord, it doesn’t matter what I have or what circumstances I am in I will have peace and security. Where is my hope today?