Judgment on Babylon (2): Jeremiah 51

Pray Psalm 52.1, 2.
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The goodness of God endures continually.
Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Sing Psalm 52.1, 2.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Why do the mighty boast in sin? God’s love endures, it knows no end!
They with their tongues vain boasts repeat, and like a razor, work deceit.

Read and meditate on Jeremiah 51.47-58.

Prepare.
1. What would the fall of Babylon signal to the people of Judah and Jerusalem captive there?

2. Who is the “plunderer” that is coming to Babylon?

Meditate.
Jeremiah spoke to the people of God in captivity, telling them that, when the fall of Babylon occurs, they should be ready to return to the land of promise.

There would be no mistaking Babylon’s fall. Everything the Chaldeans had done to the people of Jerusalem would be inflicted on them and then some (vv. 48, 49). All who have survived until that time should “Get away! Do not stand still!” but be ready to move at the word from Cyrus. Jeremiah called them to begin thinking about Jerusalem even now, to envision what it would be like to return there and to rebuild according to the promises of God (v. 50).

The people may be feeling shame and reproach now (v. 51), but they must not wallow in it. Vindication and restoration are coming, and they know what they must be doing to prepare for it (Jer. 29).

God, Who brought judgment on Jerusalem, will bring judgment on Babylon (vv. 52-58), bringing her pride down and repaying her for her wickedness against His people. God calls His people to look ahead for the day of their deliverance, when the judgment comes on Babylon.

We too look forward to the day of our deliverance, as the judgment of God falls upon the Babylon which is our world. That judgment has already begun (Rom. 1.18ff), and it will accelerate, until the Lord Himself returns in His glory to destroy His foes, break down the present world, and bring His people to the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells.

Reflect.
1. What was the message of the fall of Babylon to the people in captivity there? What were they supposed to do?

2. What is the message to us in the promised fall of the Babylon of this age? How are we supposed to prepare?

3. Why is God justified in bringing such judgment against men and nations?

The Prophet again bids the faithful quickly to flee from Chaldea; but he says, They who remain from the sword. He then intimates that the slaughter would be such, that it would include many of God's people, and that they would be destroyed. And we know that many among them deserved such a sad end; but the Prophet now turns to address those who had been preserved through God's special favor. He then bids them to depart and not to stand still or stay. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Jeremiah 51.50

Help me to be ready for Your return, Lord, as I…

Pray Psalm 52.3-9.
Pray for those who delight in evil more than in good. Pray that God will have mercy on them; thank Him that He will break down those who refuse to repent. Pray that God will make you a fruitful, green tree even in this wicked age of Babylon.

Sing Psalm 52.3-9.
Psalm 52.3-9 (Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Men more than good in evil delight, and lies prefer to what is right.
They utter words, both harsh and strong, with their devouring, deceitful tongue.

God will forever break them down, uproot, and cast them to the ground!
He from their safety tears them away, no more to know the light of day.

The righteous see and laugh and fear, and say, “Behold, what have we here?
Such are all who at God conspire, and wealth and evil ways desire.

“But as for me may I be seen in God an olive ever green!
Ever in God, most kind and just, shall I with joy and gladness trust!”

Thanks evermore to our Savior be raised! His faithfulness be ever praised!
Here with Your people, loving God, I wait upon Your Name, so good!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).