Proud Babylon Will Fall
January 10, 2021
Commentary
Even though Israel and Judah had been held by their captures who refused to let them go (v.33) the Lord vowed to defend their cause. He said that He would give them rest in their own land while giving unrest to Babylon (v.34). This threat of unrest is pictured as a sword going through the land and cutting down the people. This sword of judgment was to be directed against the leaders, wise men, false prophets and the warriors (vv. 35-36). It was also to be used against the horses, chariots and foreigners serving in Babylon’s ranks (v. 37). It would even effect her treasures and her waters would dry up (v. 38). Her desolation was to be so complete that it would be like Sodom and Gomorrah where nothing was left.
Babylon will become a haven for animals and birds, and the city will never be restored. (vv. 39-40). We know from history that this prediction has not yet been fulfilled as Babylon has continued to be inhabited. This prophecy about Babylon’s complete ruin will be fulfilled during the tribulation period. God told Babylon to look at the army which would come from the North (v.41). He said they are powerful and ready for war. They will have bows and arrows and swords in their hands. They will be cruel and without mercy and sound like the noise of a roaring sea (v. 42).
The rest of the world will tremble at His judgment of Babylon. The king has heard about this army and become weak with fear (v. 43). Babylon will be attacked like a lion and the land will become empty (v. 44). The Lord asked the people of Babylon to listen to the plans He has for them. The children will be dragged off, the country destroyed and the earth will shake (vv. 45-46).
Application
No earthly power, no matter how strong it may be can last for ever. Any time I put my trust in men I will be disappointed. My trust must be in the Lord and not just something I talk about.
Jeremiah 50:33– 46 (NET)
33 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The people of Israel are oppressed. So too are the people of Judah. All those who took them captive are holding them prisoners. They refuse to set them free.
34 But the one who will rescue them is strong. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He will strongly champion their cause. As a result he will bring peace and rest to the earth, but trouble and turmoil to the people who inhabit Babylonia.
35 “Destructive forces will come against the Babylonians,” says the Lord. “They will come against the people who inhabit Babylonia, against her leaders and her men of wisdom.
36 Destructive forces will come against her false prophets; they will be shown to be fools! Destructive forces will come against her soldiers; they will be filled with terror!
37 Destructive forces will come against her horses and her chariots. Destructive forces will come against all the foreign troops within her; they will be as frightened as women! Destructive forces will come against her treasures; they will be taken away as plunder!
38 A drought will come upon her land; her rivers and canals will be dried up. All this will happen because her land is filled with idols. Her people act like madmen because of those idols they fear.
39 Therefore desert creatures and jackals will live there; ostriches too will dwell in it. But no people will ever live there again; no one will dwell there for all time to come.
40 I will destroy Babylonia just as I did Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring towns. No one will live there; no human being will settle in it,” says the Lord.
41 “Look! An army is about to come from the north. A mighty nation and many kings are stirring into action in faraway parts of the earth.
42 Its soldiers are armed with bows and spears. They are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride forth on their horses. Lined up in formation like men going into battle, they are coming against you, fair Babylon.
43 The king of Babylon will become paralyzed with fear when he hears news of their coming. Anguish will grip him, agony like that of a woman giving birth to a baby.
44 “A lion coming up from the thick undergrowth along the Jordan scatters the sheep in the pastureland around it. So too I will chase the Babylonians off their land; then I will appoint over it whomever I choose. For there is no one like me. There is no one who can call me to account. There is no ruler that can stand up against me.
45 So listen to what I, the Lord, have planned against Babylon, what I intend to do to the people who inhabit the land of Babylonia. Their little ones will be dragged off like sheep. I will completely destroy their land because of what they have done.
46 The people of the earth will quake when they hear Babylon has been captured. Her cries of anguish will be heard by the other nations.”
Illustration: 5 Year Old Johnny is Afraid of The Dark
5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone. “It’s dark in there and I’m scared.” She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, “It’s OK–Jesus will be in there with you.” Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: “Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?” (Charles Allen, Victory in the Valleys).