Babylon was the dominant nation, conquering nation after nation. Moreover, she was the instrument that the Lord was using to judge Judah. Yet her destiny was to be destroyed. She would be captured and her gods would be taken captive, just as she had done to other nations. Her land would be desolate.
All this would be combined with the salvation of Israel and Judah, with their repentance. They would seek the Lord and be found. For a time they had to live in exile in Babylon, but this was only for a season. We need to realise that there are times when God leads us to do something or to be in some place, but it is only for a limited time.
Those who pillaged Judah needed to realise that they were doing it only as an instrument of God's judgement, it did not reflect on their own strength. Nor should they delight in their role. Babylon would suffer for what she had done to others.
Assyria had been used as an instrument of judgement against Israel (and Judah to a lesser extent). Babylon had seen what had happened to Assyria, so she should learn the lesson. Instead she became proud and ruthless.
Earlier chapters described graphically the onslaught that would fall on Judah. Now similar language is used to describe what would happen to Babylon.
Israel and Judah were oppressed, but the Lord Almighty was their redeemer. There are times when we are weak, but we need to remember who our redeemer is, and He is not weak.
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