“The word, which the Lord spoke concerning Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, through Jeremiah the prophet.” (v.1)
Like the oracles against Egypt and Moab, arrogance and idolatry are reasons for Babylon’s destruction. But there was more. Babylon would also face punishment for their treatment of God’s people. Yes, they had been a tool in God’s disciplinary hand, but that did not exonerate their cruel treatment of Judah.
God described Babylon as a devouring enemy all too happy to crush Judah. They oppressed God’s people and held them captive. In the end, God declared to the remnant: “Before your eyes I will repay Babylon and all who live in Babylonia for all the wrong they have done in Zion” (Jeremiah 51:24).
Embedded in the oracle against Babylon is an important message about God’s covenant faithfulness. It was not just a verdict of guilt, but a proclamation of God’s protection and zeal for His people. He was their Redeemer, and He would “vigorously defend their cause” (v.34). The hidden lesson here was, even in difficulty, God’s protective watch does not relent. And, as we shall see in chapter 52, He will fulfill His covenant and the Davidic line, which eventually led to our Lord Jesus Christ (see Matt. 1:11–12).
The Truth: “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless." (Jeremiah 15:21)
Like the oracles against Egypt and Moab, arrogance and idolatry are reasons for Babylon’s destruction. But there was more. Babylon would also face punishment for their treatment of God’s people. Yes, they had been a tool in God’s disciplinary hand, but that did not exonerate their cruel treatment of Judah.
God described Babylon as a devouring enemy all too happy to crush Judah. They oppressed God’s people and held them captive. In the end, God declared to the remnant: “Before your eyes I will repay Babylon and all who live in Babylonia for all the wrong they have done in Zion” (Jeremiah 51:24).
Embedded in the oracle against Babylon is an important message about God’s covenant faithfulness. It was not just a verdict of guilt, but a proclamation of God’s protection and zeal for His people. He was their Redeemer, and He would “vigorously defend their cause” (v.34). The hidden lesson here was, even in difficulty, God’s protective watch does not relent. And, as we shall see in chapter 52, He will fulfill His covenant and the Davidic line, which eventually led to our Lord Jesus Christ (see Matt. 1:11–12).
The Truth: “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless." (Jeremiah 15:21)
