God’s Hammer
December 3, 2019
Commentary
God used his wisdom and power to create the heavens and the earth (v. 15). He makes the clouds from the waters in the heavens, He sends the winds from His storehouse and makes lightening flash in the rain (v. 16). People who make idols are stupid because these false gods can not breathe, and when the time is right will be destroyed (vv. 17-18). Israel’s God is all-powerful and created everything (v. 19). Babylonia was the hammer used to pound nations, shatter chariots, men and women, shepherds, flocks, farmers, oxen, governors and leaders (vv. 20-23). He says He will repay them for what they did to Zion (v. 24). They seem strong because they destroyed the nations but He can roll them off a cliff and they will be as a pile of scorched bricks (v. 25). He promises that their foundations will crumble and they will be a desert forever (v. 26).
For the third time God summons the nations to rally their troops against Babylon. In addition to the Medes the invasion forces include the kingdom of Ararat (located in present day Armenia, which is today western Iran), and Ashchenaz (near Lake Urmia and Ararat (v. 27). He tells the kings, governors, leaders and people to prepare for war and Babylon will be a desert where no one can live (vv. 28-29). God sends these invaders to accomplish His purposes against Babylon. Instead of offering resistance, these warriors of Babylon stop fighting and withdraw to their strongholds (v. 30). The city was in flames, and the bars to the gates were broken (vv. 30-31). Messengers rush from various parts of the city to announce that the entire city has been captured (v. 32).
Application
It is easy to think that the things will bring me happiness. However these things will soon rot and decay. Why should I put my trust in things that disappear and become worthless in a few years?
Jeremiah 51:15– 32 (NET)
15 He is the one who by his power made the earth. He is the one who by his wisdom fixed the world in place, by his understanding he spread out the heavens.
16 When his voice thunders, the waters in the heavens roar. He makes the clouds rise from the far-off horizons; he makes the lightning flash out in the midst of the rain. He unleashes the wind from the places where he stores it;
17 all idolaters will prove to be stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith will be disgraced by the idol he made. For the image he forges is merely a sham; there is no breath in any of those idols.
18 They are worthless, objects to be ridiculed. When the time comes to punish them, they will be destroyed.
19 The Lord, who is the portion of the descendants of Jacob, is not like them. For he is the one who created everything, including the people of Israel whom he claims as his own. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
20 “Babylon, you are my war club, my weapon for battle. I used you to smash nations. I used you to destroy kingdoms.
21 I used you to smash horses and their riders. I used you to smash chariots and their drivers.
22 I used you to smash men and women. I used you to smash old men and young men. I used you to smash young men and young women.
23 I used you to smash shepherds and their flocks. I used you to smash farmers and their teams of oxen. I used you to smash governors and leaders.”
24 “But I will repay Babylon and all who live in Babylonia for all the wicked things they did in Zion right before the eyes of you Judeans,” says the Lord.
25 The Lord says, “Beware! I am opposed to you, Babylon! You are like a destructive mountain that destroys all the earth. I will unleash my power against you; I will roll you off the cliffs and make you like a burned-out mountain.
26 No one will use any of your stones as a cornerstone; no one will use any of them in the foundation of his house. For you will lie desolate forever,” says the Lord.
27 “Raise up battle flags throughout the lands. Sound the trumpets calling the nations to do battle. Prepare the nations to do battle against Babylonia. Call for these kingdoms to attack her: Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a commander to lead the attack. Send horses against her like a swarm of locusts.
28 Prepare the nations to do battle against her. Prepare the kings of the Medes. Prepare their governors and all their leaders. Prepare all the countries they rule to do battle against her.
29 The earth will tremble and writhe in agony; for the Lord will carry out his plan. He plans to make the land of Babylonia a wasteland where no one lives.
30 The soldiers of Babylonia will stop fighting. They will remain in their fortified cities. They will lose their strength to do battle. They will be as frightened as women. The houses in her cities will be set on fire. The gates of her cities will be broken down.
31 One runner after another will come to the king of Babylon; one messenger after another will come bringing news. They will bring news to the king of Babylon that his whole city has been captured.
32 They will report that the fords have been captured, the reed marshes have been burned, the soldiers are terrified.
Illustration: Cyrus Who Captured a Prince And His Family
It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?” “The half of my wealth,” was his reply. “And if I release your children?” “Everything I possess.” “And if I release your wife?” “Your Majesty, I will give myself.” Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, “Wasn’t Cyrus a handsome man!"With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, “I didn’t notice. I could only keep my eyes on you – the one who was willing to give himself for me.” (Source Unknown)