Jeremiah 50-51

The judgment against Babylon is rather lengthy compared to that against the other nations.  This may at first seem strange since Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar were God’s instruments of vengeance against His own people and many other nations.  But the standard of judgment is no different for any of the nations, and Babylon was tried and found wanting.

Bel and Merodach (or Marduk) were gods of Babylon who were the target of the vengeance of God Most High (50:2).  God’s instrument was the army of the Medes and Persians.  Note the various, and accurate, descriptions of this “nation” from “out of the north” (50:3): an assembly of great nations (50:9), the kings of the Medes (51:11), and various nations under one general (51:27-28).  The Medo-Persian empire, from Israel’s north, was a group of nations brought under one government, and yet permitted to maintain some identity and authority.  The one general was Cyrus, the Persian, the Cyrus identified in Isaiah 44:28-45:1 by name who would permit God’s people to return to rebuilt the temple.

The way the fall of Babylon was predicted to happen was a perfect description of how it in fact happened.  Jeremiah said would involve an ambush or sneak attack that would not require knocking down the walls of the city as was usually necessary (51:12).  It would involve the “waters” (51:13) in the time of a fearfully weak king of Babylon (50:43).  Daniel 5 tells of that king, Belshazzar, and the night the city fell.  History says Cyrus came into the city by stopping up the canals and sending in the army without the need of a siege attack.

Why did this instrument of God’s vengeance deserve God’s judgment?  As with other nations, they had contended against God (50:24).  She was proud against the Holy One of Israel (50:29).  And that contention and pride was seen in her rejoicing over the destruction of God’s people (or heritage, 50:11).  In their glee they went beyond what God intended.  God proves Himself to be a strong Redeemer in rescuing both Israel and Judah (50:33-34).  

God is the Good Shepherd, rescuing His lost, scattered sheep (50:6-7,17).  This rescue will involve the godly sorrow of Israel (50:6-7) and the forgiveness of her sins (50:18-20).  In that sense the complete fulfillment awaits a future time, indicated by the phrase “in that day and at that time” (50:4,20).  Babylon, as a system of pride against God, still awaits total destruction, as told in Rev. 17-18.

Babylon was a mighty foe, unstoppable in the days of Nebuchadnezzar.  God’s people felt hopeless, even as Jeremiah did on occasion, doubting that there could ever be a return to the promised blessings.  But the God of these promises is a mighty God (51:15-16), unlike the gods made by men (51:17-18).  “The Portion of Jacob” is “the God who is enough”, El Shaddai.  Israel’s God is sufficient for her need, even as He always is for His people (Phil. 4:19; Eph. 3:20-21).