Year 2, Week 16, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 16, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Jeremiah 50.

Today’s reading continues the fifth segment of the Book of Jeremiah. The fifth segment (chapters 46-51)  is a collection of judgment against the nations as it corresponds to the first segment (chapters 2-20) in that it is a collection of judgments against Judah. Today’s reading as well as tomorrow’s reading, which has many similarities to Habakkuk, pertain to Babylon as they form the longest oracle against any of the nations. Jeremiah 50 underscores two points. First, Jeremiah 50 is a pronouncement of judgment against Babylon: “The word that the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet: “Declare among the nations and proclaim, set up a banner and proclaim, conceal it not, and say: Babylon is taken, Bel is put to shame, Merodach is dismayed. Her images are put to shame, her idols are dismayed.’ “For out of the north a nation has come up against her, which shall make her land a desolation, and none shall dwell in it” (Jeremiah 50:1-3a). Second, Jeremiah 50 is an announcement of restoration for the people of Israel and Judah: “In those days and in that time, declares the LORD, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come, and they shall seek the LORD their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, let us join ourselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:4-6).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was a reason behind the destruction of Babylon: “I set a snare for you and you were taken, O Babylon, and you did not know it; you were found and caught, because you opposed the LORD…Repay her according to her deeds; do to her according to all that she has done. For she has proudly defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel…Behold, I am against you, O proud one, declares the Lord GOD of hosts, for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. The proud one shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up, and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all that is around him” (Jeremiah 50:24,29a,31-32). Babylon would be destroyed because of its arrogant defiance before the LORD. This destruction would actually occur in 539 BC when the Persian Empire sacks the Babylonian Empire: “That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old” (Daniel 5:30-31). And the reason stated for this immediate coup was arrogance: “And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven” (Daniel 5:22-23), Belshazzar did not learn humility as his father, Nebuchadnezzar had by the LORD.

The Babylonians were to be the LORD’s instrument of chastisement upon Judah: “For thus says the LORD: Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends. They shall fall by the sword of their enemies while you look on. And I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon. He shall carry them captive to Babylon, and shall strike them down with the sword” (Jeremiah 20:4). But the Babylonians far exceeding in the cruelty they expressed toward Judah would be held accountable for their wicked actions. The prophet Isaiah spoke a similar word against Babylon as he pressed not only their arrogance but also their lack of mercy: “Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms. I was angry with my people; I profaned my heritage; I gave them into your hand; you showed them no mercy; on the aged you made your yoke exceedingly heavy. You said, “I shall be mistress forever,” so that you did not lay these things to heart or remember their end. Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me” (Isaiah 47:5-8a). Babylon went beyond what was needed. Thus, the instrument of judgment would be judged. The description of Babylon’s judgment in today's reading, which is exceedingly devastating, is in proportion to how they acted. Ironically, Babylon, who were invaders from the north, would be invaded from the north: “For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a gathering of great nations, from the north country” (Jeremiah 50:9a).

Meanwhile, as the pronouncement of judgment is going forth, so is an announcement of restoration for the people of Israel and Judah: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah with them. All who took them captive have held them fast; they refuse to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon” (Jeremiah 50:33-34). Facets of this restoration seem to unfold in the immediate aftermath of Babylons’s destruction by the Persians, while other facets seem to have fuller elements not immediately implemented. Early in Jeremiah 50 (verse 6) the “everlasting covenant” is mentioned. This phrase was used previously by Jeremiah in reference to the blessings of the New Covenant: “I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul” (Jeremiah 32:40). The New or Everlasting Covenant seems to get worked out in increments that even in our own time today, still has elements yet to be completely put in place. But in Christ, it has started.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe