Jeremiah 51:1-32
Q.1. How did the future destruction of Babylon compare with God’s treatment of His own people? – (Jer.51:1-10)
A remnant of Israel was still in the land. The majority had been taken into exile. Babylon was at that time the dominant empire. It was at the height of its power, sweeping all before it, because – Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of the Lord … (Jer.51:7). All the people of Jerusalem and Judea would soon be devastated, along with the rest of the nations. However, here Jeremiah foretold of a time when Babylon would be brought low, with none to rescue her – … For this is the Lord’s time of vengeance; He is going to render recompense to her (Jer.51:6). Jeremiah comforted God’s Covenant people with this message – For neither Israel nor Judah has been forsaken by His God, the Lord of hosts, although their land is full of guilt before the Holy One of Israel (Jer.51:5). In jubilation, Jeremiah wrote -The Lord has brought about our vindication; come and let us recount in Zion the work of the Lord our God (Jer.51:10). God will not allow the pride of man to prevail for long.
Q.2. How does the power of the Lord compare with the power of idols? Why would God destroy Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans? – (Jer.51:11-32)
Just as God used His destruction Babylon to achieve His purposes, so He would use the Persians to execute His vengeance on Babylon for the destruction of the Temple (Jer.51:11). Babylon had gloated abouts its wealth (Jer.51:13). She had boasted of her man-made idols. However – All mankind is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols for his molten images are deceitful. There is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of mockery … (Jer.51:17-18). Consider this: – The portion of Jacob is not like these. For the Maker of all is He … (Jer.51:19). Therefore – the Lord of hosts has sworn by Himself … the Lord has both purposed and performed what He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon … I will repay Babylon and on the inhabitants of Chaldea for all their evil that they have done in Zion before your eyes … (Jer.51:14 & 12, 24 c.f. Jer.51:29). God detailed His planned destruction of Babylon, for all its actions, and for what it represented (Jer.51:20-32 c.f. Rev.Chpts.18-19).