Jeremiah 52:10-34 - So Judah went into captivity

52:10-16

The times were extremely violent. Zedekiah’s sons were killed before his very eyes, along with his servants. Then Zedekiah’s eyes were gouged out, and he spent the rest of his days in prison.

Nebuchadnezzar then set fire to the temple. The Jewish people regarded the temple as inviolable, surely God would not allow His temple to be desecrated? But God was more concerned with the heart of His people, and their hearts had been desecrated long ago. Only the poorest people were left behind in Judah, with the task of looking after the vineyards and fields.

52:17-27

Many of the “fixtures and fittings” of the temple were carried off to Babylon. We are then given the names of a number of officials who were taken off into captivity. 

“So Judah went into captivity, away from her land”. Judah suffered the judgement that she deserved.

52:28-34

We now get the figures for those carried off into exile. 2 Kings 24:14,16 gives rather higher figures, but it may be that the figures here are just the adult males. After some time in exile, Jehoiachin was released from prison and was treated rather well for the rest of his time in Babylon. 

Jeremiah 52:1-9 - The city was kept under siege

52:1-3

We now come to the final chapter which is more a summing up of historical events than prophecy, Jeremiah’s words having ended with the previous chapter. The words sum up the spiritual situation. The king (along with the people) did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his predecessors had done. The Babylonian defeat of Judah was a result of God thrusting the people from His presence. Zedekiah had rebelled against the Lord, now he rebelled against Babylon. Rebellion is part of human nature.

52:4-9

Babylon marched against Jerusalem and besieged the city for about eighteen months. During that time conditions within the city would become increasingly desperate. Eventually there was no food left. Then the city walls were broken and the army fled. Babylon pursued Zedekiah and captured him and he was taken to Babylon.

Jeremiah 51:45-64 - Come out of her my people

51:45-48

Yet again God’s people are urged to come out of her. We must not remain in the world, if for no other reason than that she was destined for destruction. If they stayed they would join in the suffering of God’s fierce anger. In times of turmoil there are always many rumours, we must not be terrified by such things. God in the business of punishing the idols of Babylon, and His judgement is a controlled process. The earth would rejoice at the fall of Babylon. This will happen at the end of time as well.

51:49-53

Everything comes to an end. If we ever assume that things will always be as they are we are mistaken. The kingdom of God is the only everlasting kingdom. Babylon must fall, just as the world system will fall one day, and it is vital that we do not hold on to the world system. The judgement upon Israel had been devastating, even the holy place had been desecrated. “But days are coming ...” when judgement would come upon Babylon, and there is nothing she can do against the judgement. 

51:54-64

We get more vivid description of the fall of Babylon. To imagine that the world system will last forever is madness. “The Lord is a God of retribution”, this is part if the character of God, part of the good character of God. All the instruments of state will be destroyed, along with all the defences. Jeremiah had sent this message along with Zedekiah to Babylon. The servant was also to give a dramatic demonstration of the fall of Babylon. 

Jeremiah 51:34-44 - Her towns will be desolate

51:34-40

Zion had suffered greatly at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, and she would rejoice at the downfall of Babylon. We tend to get embarrassed or offended by verse like these, but that is largely a product of our not having suffered in the way that many peoples in history have suffered.

We see here yet again that the restoration of Israel is the goal of God’s plans. He had to deal with her sins, but even so salvation was the goal. Israel would be avenged for the evil she had suffered. We find it difficult to hold two ideas at once. One being the sin and subsequent judgement of Israel and Judah, and the other being the restoration and salvation of Israel as a result of the grace of God. But if we are to have anything like a proper view of the Bible we do need to hold both ideas at once, or we will never understand God’s plans for Israel, nor His work in our own lives.

51:41-44

Sheshak is a cryptogram for Babylon. Once it was the “boast of the whole earth”, but soon it would be captured, then it would be desolate among the nations. There would be few inhabitants. Bel was a prime Babylonian god, also known as Bel-Marduk. Bel meant lord. Nations had been taken captive by this idol, but it would no longer have any power.

Jeremiah 51:25-33 - Lift up a banner in the land!

51:25-27

“You who destroy the whole earth”. This another example that clearly demonstrates that taking a literal interpretation of all verses in the Bible is not a sensible approach. Babylon had not destroyed the whole earth, but only within the region. However, if we then take Babylon as representing the world system under Satan we see that “Babylon” has had a terribly destructive influence upon the whole earth. So a little common sense is needed in interpreting verses. Babylon would be completely destroyed, and the world system will one day be completely destroyed.

51:28-33

A vast army would come against Babylon, with the Medes being the primary conquerors, but other nations would be involved as well. The message is clear, Babylon will fall and has no chance. All her strength and courage will be gone. She is reaping the harvest of her wickedness. The descriptions could have applied to the Nazi Germany when the Russians utterly overwhelmed this once dominant land.

Jeremiah 51:19-24 - He is the Maker of all things

5:19

“He who is the portion of Jacob is not like these”. Israel’s God was not like the gods of other nations. Our God is not like the world, and the church is utterly stupid when it decides that following the world is a good idea. Our God is the maker of all things. Babylon’s idols had created nothing, the so-called wisdom of modern society has done no good at all. “Including the people of His inheritance”. We too were created by God. We need to have a proper perspective on things. We are the people who belong to the Lord Almighty.

51:20-24

If we take this as being addressed to Babylon, then it means that Babylon was God’s instrument of judgement first against Judah, but then also against many other nations as well. We need to understand that God uses nations to execute judgement upon other nations, this is a principle that is clearly stated in the Bible, especially in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Yet Babylon was not without responsibility. She was utterly heartless and merciless, especially against Jerusalem. Therefore she would be punished for this.

Jeremiah 51:11-18 - Everyone is senseless and without knowledge

51:11-14

The description of the attack becomes clearer, with the “king of the Medes” being mentioned specifically. The walls of Babylon will be no use as a defence, those who live by waters will not be secure. When the Lord sends judgement no one can stand against it.

51:15,16

We now get the reason why no one can stand against it.The Lord is the one who made the earth by His power, and just the earth but the heavens as well. All things were created by Him. So everything has to submit to Him.

51:17,18

The goldsmiths who made the idols were probably an honoured profession, yet a moment’s thought should have made people realise that they were engaged in a rather pointless exercise. But we are no better off today. Many of the ideas that are bandied around today, and are having a significant impact on society and its laws are absolute nonsense, and a moment’s thought should be sufficient to make us realise this. “The images he makes are a fraud”, likewise many of the ideas today are a deception. “They are worthless, the objects of mockery”. The Bible is far more realistic than the world is. When judgement came upon Babylon it would show up the worthlessness of Babylon’s idols. Likewise, a day will come when God shows up the futility of modern man’s thinking.

Jeremiah 51:9,10 - The Lord has vindicated us

51:9

“We would have healed Babylon”. God had told the people to seek the well-being of Babylon and to pray for it. As Christians we are, for the most part, to live in the world and seek the best for it. “But she cannot be healed”. Christ is the only means of salvation, and the world as a whole will not turn to Christ. We need to face up to this fact. However, it is equally important that we do not despair. We are to carry on seeking the best for the world, seeking to influence it in a godly way. It is essential that we do not give up. For some will be saved, and there will be times when society is influenced by the gospel and this is good for society. However, there will come a time when “her judgement reaches up to the skies”. We need to recognise this as well. We need to have as balanced a view as the Bible has. There comes a point when a society’s sins have reached such a level that judgement is on its way. But before this point is reached we need to work for the good of society.

51:10

“The Lord has vindicated us”. We must not give in to a godless society, for if we do we will be judged along with the society. If we remain faithful we will ultimately be vindicated by God. Then we will be able to tell the people what God has done for us.

Jeremiah 51:1-8 - Flee from Babylon!

51:1-5

The description of the destruction of Babylon continues, and in a graphic sense. Then verse 5 brings in Israel and Judah again. Babylon may have thought that God had abandoned Israel and Judah, but this was not the case. This should also serve as a warning to those today who think Israel no longer has a special place in God’s plans.

51:6-8

While the previous few verses have consequences for those who oppose Israel, this section has implications for Israel (and by continuation for those of us who follow Christ). They must flee Babylon, otherwise they would be destroyed because of the sins of Babylon. There is a time to flee the world. Babylon that once seemed so powerful would come to nothing. The language of nations becoming drunk on her wine is also used in Revelation. Emphasising once again that if we want to understand Revelation we need to understand the Old Testament, in particular the books like Jeremiah, Daniel and Zechariah.

Jeremiah 50:35-46 - An army from the north is coming

50:35-40

The verses in this section single out most of the key elements of the state of Babylon. First there are the Babylonian people, then her false prophets (not that she had any true prophets), against her warriors, against her chariots and horses, against her wealth, and against her natural resources. When God’s judgement comes upon an individual or a nation there is no escape. The place would be taken over by desert creatures and hyenas, symbolising the desolation and collapse of the place.

50:41-46

Now follows a graphic description of the coming onslaught, of the army from the north, striking terror into the Babylonian army. Nations gain power and influence not because of their prowess or skill, but because God grants them power. And any power we have is given to us by God, and we will have to answer to God for how we used that power.

Jeremiah 50:28-34 - Yet their redeemer is strong

50:28-32

Vengeance is not a characteristic of God that we focus on much these days, even being slightly embarrassed by it. Yet this is an unbiblical view. Vengeance is part of what God does, Deut 32:35, and is part of Revelation. However, it is also an aspect of God that belongs purely to God (Rom 12:19). We must seek to be like God in love, but never in vengeance. The description of the onslaught against Babylon continues. She will be repaid for her deeds, and for her defying of the Lord. People sometimes object “why should someone go to hell just because they don’t believe in Jesus?”. Unbelief is never alone, misdeeds always accompany it. The arrogance of Babylon will be brought low.

50:33,34

These two verses describe the situation. The people of both Israel and Judah were oppressed and held fast. Their captors refused to let them go. The Bible is always utterly realistic about the situation. “Yet their Redeemer is strong”, and our Redeemer is strong. “The Lord Almighty is His name”, as it is the name of Jesus. And our Redeemer defends our cause, and works to bring unrest to our enemies, and peace to our land. We have a faithful and powerful redeemer!

Jeremiah 50:21-27 - The Lord has opened His arsenal

50:21-23

There are similarities between Rev 18 and the stuff here. There are graphic descriptions of the fall of Babylon, and there are calls for God’s people to flee from Babylon. Some interpretations of Revelation see the connection with Rome (as Babylon) as being the be all and end all of what Revelation is about. It is far better to see the parallels between Rome and Babylon, and to see the general and ultimate importance. All kingdoms fall, no matter how powerful they may seem. Ultimately the whole world system, of whom Satan is the Prince, will fall. 

50:24-27

“I set a trap for you ...” Babylon thought she was all powerful and was fulfilling her plans, and many an empire has thought much the same since. All these empires have collapsed. When we see great worldly power, in whatever form, we should not fear. It is always God who is in control and every kingdom will fall. 

There are many more parallels with Revelation, with the rejoicing over the fall of Babylon, and more graphic descriptions of the battles that will defeat her.

Jeremiah 50:14-20 - I will forgive the remnant

50:14-16

The onslaught against Babylon will be terrible but is fully deserved. She is receiving what she gave to others. A very similar situation happened with Germany at the end of the second world war. The Russian defeat of Germany, and Berlin in particular, was terrible. However, Germany herself had committed numerous atrocities, especially when she invaded Eastern Europe and Russia. Babylon had captured many peoples from different nations. These would be returned to their own lands.

50:17-20

Attention now returns to Israel. Note that she is looked at as one nation. The Assyrians had scattered the northern kingdom (Israel or Ephraim), Babylon had dealt with the southern kingdom, Judah. Assyria had already been punished (by Babylon) for her merciless dealing with Israel. Babylon would now suffer a similar fate for her equally merciless dealing with Judah. Israel and Judah had been punished for their sins, but they would be brought back to their own pasture. And their guilt will have been dealt with. People may search for it, but they would find none. Part of the plan of salvation is the removal of our guilt.

Jeremiah 50:8-13 - Flee out of Babylon

50:8

The people are told to flee from Babylon. Now remember that earlier in Jeremiah they are told to make the best of things in Babylon. We need to understand that there are things that God tells us to do for a season, but are not permanent. Now this does not apply to moral commands! We also see goats being used here in a positive sense. Remember Jesus’ parable about the sheep and the goats. 

50:9-13

Why should they flee Babylon? Because it is now Babylon’s turn to be doomed to destruction. Many nations will come against her and destroy her. We are to make the best of things in the world, but everything on earth is temporal. Similar language is used for the destruction of Babylon as was used against other nations, including Judah, in earlier sections of Jeremiah.  One of the (many) sins of Babylon was that she joyfully plundered Jerusalem. Yes she was God’s instrument, but that did not absolve her of responsibility.

Jeremiah 50:6,7 - My people have been lost sheep

50:6

“My people have been lost sheep”. Although this is a prophecy against Babylon, it is about Israel, and God’s plan for her. They had been lost sheep. I have to admit I cannot understand how any sensible Christian can possibly think that Israel no longer has a particular place in God’s plans. If it does not then so many of God’s promises would seem to be nullified. But as well as the declarations of His commitment to Israel, God is fully aware of her many failings, more aware than any of us are. And this verse summarises the problems with Israel. She had forgotten her fold. We do well to remember this. God is our fold, He is where we belong. 

50:7

Because she had abandoned God, she became subject to all sorts of enemies, enemies who would devour her. There may be times when we are tempted to abandon the Lord, sometimes fear will seek to drive us away from God. We must never give in to that fear, for if we abandon God then we truly will be at great risk. It seems that the conquering nations knew that Israel had abandoned her God.

Jeremiah 50:1-5 - The people of Judah will go in tears to seek the Lord

50:1-3

We now come to the big one in terms of judgement, Babylon. Babylon had been the instrument of God’s judgement, but that did not mean that she could do what she liked, or had no responsibility. Any ideas that think that the sovereignty of God and human responsibility are somehow incompatible is badly mistaken. Babylon was a powerful nation and had many idols. Jeremiah starts by declaring to the nations that “Baylon is taken” and her images put to shame. The once powerful Babylon would be defeated by the Medes. In reading Revelation it is vital that we have an understanding of the role of Babylon in Israel’s history.

50:4,5

The destruction of Babylon was not just about judgement, it was also about the salvation of God’s people. Israel and Judah had been divided for many years, but they would come together again, and this would happen as they sought the Lord their God. They would also be weeping. There are three vital elements here. One is that there is repenting for their sins, the second is that there is coming together, a restoration of unity, and finally they are united in seeking the Lord. If we look at worldly attempts at salvation they will fall down on at least one of these, and probably all three. The BLM movement and critical race theory (CRT) are prime examples of this. There is no repenting of their own sins, but an attempt to highlight the sins of others. There is no seeking of unity, CRT is very divisive. And there is certainly no seeking of the Lord. Thankfully, here we are speaking of the Lord’s salvation, and the people want to join themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant.

Jeremiah 49:28-39 - Terror on every side!

49:28-33

Kedar was one of the sons of Ishmael, but little is known about Hazor. However, they were big into sheep and camels, that being their primary trade, but they were now in line for judgement. As with many of the other nations, they were at ease, not suspecting the disaster that was about to come upon them. So complacent were they that they neither gated nor barred their people. But they would become desolate forever. The “wisdom” of a nation should always be taken with an enormous pinch of salt, for we do not know what is going to happen next year. At the end of last year we did not expect to be in this covid pandemic state with lockdowns all over the world.

49:34-39

Elam was in what is now Iran, and bordered Babylon. In fact, the prophecies have worked their way from Egypt up to the border of Babylon in a geographically ordered manner. Now Elam comes in for utter destruction, and no particular reason is given. However, Elam is one of the nations that God promises to restore in the latter days. So some nations are destroyed for good, others will be restored at some point. 

Jeremiah 49:14-27 - I will make you small among the nations

49:14-22

God has sent a call to the nations to attack Edom. They had been a proud nation, and one that inspired terror in other nations. They were not a large powerful nation like Babylon or Assyria, but one that fought by wileyness, but these skills would be of no use to her when the Lord attacked. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, they would be overthrown forever. Boastful and proud she may have been, but her heart would utterly melt.

49:23-27

Damascus had a good reputation, but she would become feeble. Damascus too would be defeated. We see here a whole litany of nations thrown into various degrees of distress, and this is all as a result of God’s judgement upon the nations.

Jeremiah 49:1-13 - Has Israel no sons?

49:1-6

A number of nations come under judgement in this chapter, beginning with the Ammonites. Ammon had allied herself with Judah when Jidah first rebelled against Babylon, but was generally an enemy of Judah. The “has Israel no sons” stuff refers to the northern kingdom of Israel. Assyria had earlier conquered Israel and Ammon had since taken possession of the land, assuming that the Israelites would not come back. This was a mistake. Just because God had inflicted severe judgement upon Israel did not mean that she was abandoned forever. We can apply this principle to individuals as well. Now Ammon felt secure, but this was based on pride and she would suffer a terrible fate. However, like Moab, God says that it will be only for a time, then God would restore her.

49:7-13

Next up is Edom. Edom was the nation that was built out of Esau. Edom had a reputation for wisdom, and Job 2:11 speaks of Eliphaz the Temanite. But her reputation for wisdom would soon come to nothing. Edom had often been at war with Judah, and delighted in Judah’s downfall. But Edom herself would soon suffer a devastating downfall. The reputations of nations can soon come to nothing.

Jeremiah 48:29-47 - Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab

48:29-33

Moab was a very proud and boastful nation, though actually she was quite small. The tables will very much be turned on her. Her influence had spread quite a way, but the destroyer (Babylon) would fall on her and all would be lost. All of us, individuals or nations, need to know that any strength or wealth that we have can be taken in an instant. We need to commit ourselves to God and to walk in humility, there is no other sensible option.

48:34-44

The description of her downfall continues. God says He laments for them. We should note that this is God bringing just judgement upon Moab. We do not like the idea of a God of judgement, but judgement is a fundamental aspect of who God is and what He does. Virtually every page in the Bible talks about judgement. If we do not consider the judgement of God then we should not fool ourselves into thinking we know anything about Him.

48:45-47

The judgement finally comes to an end. First there is a reminder of what will happen, but then a surprising ending: “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come”. There is a reminder that the fortunes of an individual or nation depend above all else on the Lord. Then there is the fact that judgement and salvation go together.