Jeremiah 25:1-14
Q.1. When was this prophecy given? How long had the Lord warned the nation? What was the message? How did Judah respond? – (Jer.25:1-7)
Eventually the Lord no longer allowed Jeremiah to intercede for Judah. He was about to use Babylon to inflict judgment on the nation (Jer.7:16; 11:14; 14:11; 15:1). The king of Egypt had taken the king of Judah, Joahaz, captive and had placed his brother Eliakim as king in his place. He renamed him Jehoiakim and imposed a substantial land tax on Judah (c.f. 2 Kgs.24:1; 2 Chron.36:2-3; Jer.25:1). The word of the Lord had been proclaimed by Jeremiah and the prophets repeatedly – but you have not listened. And the Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear (Jer.25:3-4). The prophets had all promised that Judah would – 5 … dwell in the land which the Lord has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever (Jer.25:5). However, their responsibility was to refrain from – 6 … going after other gods to serve them and worship them and to not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands; Then I will do you no harm (Jer.25:5-6 c.f. 2 Chron.36:15-17). However, Judah’s leaders had refused to respond to the warnings (Jer.25:7).
Q.2. How was Nebuchadnezzar God’s servant? What would he do? How long would Judah be exiled? What would happen to Babylon? – (Jer.25:8-14)
God would use Babylon to execute His judgment on wayward Judah. In this sense, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon was ‘My servant’ (Jer.25:8-9). Because of their abuses, God declared that -11 This whole land will be a desolation and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 ‘Then it will be when seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,’ declares the Lord, ‘for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation (Jer.25:11-12). The seventy years of captivity equated to Israel’s sabbath abuses and would fulfill – … all My words which I have pronounced against it, all that is written in this book which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations (c.f. 2 Chron.36:21). However, God’s instrument of judgment would itself be judged and -… I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,’ declares the Lord, ‘for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation (Jer.25:12). God was sovereignly in control over all the nations.