Babylon Will be Disgraced

Jeremiah 50:11–20
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Jeremiah now focuses on Judah’s enemy, the empire of Babylon. Babylon sinned in proudly destroying Judah. God is not pleased with those who rejoice in destroying others and brag about it. Because of this he vowed to disgrace Babylon by destroying it so completely that those who pass by will be horrified and scoff at it. Three movements are evident in Jeremiah 50-51. (1) God declares war on Babylon (50:1-28), (2) He assembles the armies against Babylon (50:29-51:26), and (3) He announces victory over Babylon (50:27-58).

1. God speaks to Babylon (vv. 11-13). Yes, Babylon was God’s tool for chastening Israel, but the Babylonians went too far and enjoyed it too much. They acted like a joyful calf threshing the grain and getting its fill! Any nation that cursed the Jews will ultimately be cursed by God (Gen. 12:1-3).
2. God speaks to the invading armies (vv. 14-16).Just as Babylon was God’s tool to chasten Judah, so Cyrus with the Medes and Persians and latter Alexander was God’s weapon to defeat Babylon. This was no ordinary war but it was the vengeance of the Lord (v. 15).
3. God speaks about the Jews (vv. 17-20. Assyria had ravaged Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Babylon had ravaged Judah (the Southern Kingdom, but now God would punish Babylon as He had Assyria. He promises to bring his people back to their own land.

Application

God has a law that what we sow we will reap. I’m not to rejoice in another mans trouble or I may reap what I sow. I want to weep when another person is sad and I want to rejoice when they rejoice.