The Lord Will Take Revenge on Babylon

Jeremiah 51:33–48
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The desire to “get even” seems to be a part of the human race. The story of a mother who heard her seven-year-old son screaming. She runs into the next room to see what is wrong, and discovers her two-year-old daughter is pulling the hair of her brother. The mother gets … More

Revenge

The Lord says Babylon will soon be leveled like a threshing floor at harvest time (v. 33). The Jews reminded the Lord of what Nebuchadnezzar had done to them (vv. 34,35). They said that Nebuchadnezzar had been like a vicious monster who picked up Judah as if it were a jar filled with food, swallowed it, vomited it up, and then broke the jar. He had actually chewed them up and spit them out (v. 34). They harmed some and killed others (v. 35). The Lord tells them I am on your side and will take revenge on Babylon by cutting off their water supply and making them a pile of rubble (vv. 36-37). They roar and growl like young lions (v. 38). They are hungry but will celebrate by getting drunk and falling asleep (v. 39). The Lord says he will cause them to die like sheep, lambs, and goats being led to the butcher (v. 40).

All nations praise Babylon but are horrified when captured (v. 41). Their conquers will be like a sea that covers the land (v. 42) but when the “tide is out” a dessert will be left behind (43). The Lord will punish Marduk, the god of Babylon, by taking everything it has gained and Babylon’s walls will crumble (v. 44). For the third time God orders His people to get out of Babylon (v. 45). They are not to be afraid of the many rumors of victory or violence that they hear (v. 46). They do not need to be afraid of the Babylonian idols as they can do nothing to harm them (v. 47). Heaven and earth will sing songs of praise when Babylon falls (v. 48).

Application

We do not need to be afraid of what people say or the strange God’s (example: materialism) they may worship. Just like it says on our coins in the U.S., it needs to be “in God we trust.” This needs to be something I practice and not just something I say.

Jeremiah 51:33-48 (English Standard Version)

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