Jer 51:62 | KingComments | STEP | At the end of the long prophecy against Babylon, after all the words Jeremiah has spoken about Babylon, he has a command for Seraiah ( ). Seraiah is probably the brother of Baruch ( ) and quartermaster to Zedekiah. As quartermaster, he is to make sure that the king has a good home everywhere he travels. In the fourth year of Zedekiah’s reign, he goes to Babylon. Jeremiah has written in a scroll all the calamity he announced about Babylon ( ). These are the words that were probably written down by Baruch when Jeremiah uttered them. He gives the scroll to Seraiah when he goes to Babylon. When he comes to Babylon, he must first look around carefully ( ). He will see all the glory and power of Babylon. Then he is to read all the words of the scroll. He is to do so with the prayer to the LORD that He has spoken these words concerning Babylon ( ). As a true Elijah, he will be aware that he stands before the LORD and not before the power of Babylon (cf. ). For Babylon, the end announced by the LORD will surely come. Nothing will be left of it. Jeremiah announced the downfall of Babylon, as he announced that of Judah and Jerusalem, even though there is not much to see of either downfall yet and even though many do not believe in it at all. When Seraiah has finished reading aloud, he must tie a stone to the scroll and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates, where the river is deepest ( ). When he has done so, he must explain why he has done so, what that act means ( ). Just as the scroll sank to the depths of the river never to rise again, Babylon will sink and never rise again ( ). This is the doom that the LORD has decreed upon Babylon. The grueling efforts to keep Babylon afloat remain unsuccessful. We see here that Jeremiah, during the time he is calling for submission to Babylon, is at the same time announcing the eventual fall of that city. This ends the words of Jeremiah. His service is at an end. His prophecy against Babylon is meant to be an encouragement to the faith of the people of Judah. The chapter that follows describes the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. But it is clearly stated beforehand that Nebuchadnezzar’s power is neither unlimited nor endless. God has the final say. This knowledge provides support only if we trust God at His word.

‏ Jeremiah 51:62

The Command to Seraiah

At the end of the long prophecy against Babylon, after all the words Jeremiah has spoken about Babylon, he has a command for Seraiah (Jer 51:59). Seraiah is probably the brother of Baruch (Jer 32:12) and quartermaster to Zedekiah. As quartermaster, he is to make sure that the king has a good home everywhere he travels.

In the fourth year of Zedekiah’s reign, he goes to Babylon. Jeremiah has written in a scroll all the calamity he announced about Babylon (Jer 51:60). These are the words that were probably written down by Baruch when Jeremiah uttered them. He gives the scroll to Seraiah when he goes to Babylon. When he comes to Babylon, he must first look around carefully (Jer 51:61). He will see all the glory and power of Babylon.

Then he is to read all the words of the scroll. He is to do so with the prayer to the LORD that He has spoken these words concerning Babylon (Jer 51:62). As a true Elijah, he will be aware that he stands before the LORD and not before the power of Babylon (cf. 1Kgs 17:1a). For Babylon, the end announced by the LORD will surely come. Nothing will be left of it. Jeremiah announced the downfall of Babylon, as he announced that of Judah and Jerusalem, even though there is not much to see of either downfall yet and even though many do not believe in it at all.

When Seraiah has finished reading aloud, he must tie a stone to the scroll and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates, where the river is deepest (Jer 51:63). When he has done so, he must explain why he has done so, what that act means (Jer 51:64). Just as the scroll sank to the depths of the river never to rise again, Babylon will sink and never rise again (Rev 18:21). This is the doom that the LORD has decreed upon Babylon. The grueling efforts to keep Babylon afloat remain unsuccessful. We see here that Jeremiah, during the time he is calling for submission to Babylon, is at the same time announcing the eventual fall of that city.

This ends the words of Jeremiah. His service is at an end. His prophecy against Babylon is meant to be an encouragement to the faith of the people of Judah. The chapter that follows describes the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. But it is clearly stated beforehand that Nebuchadnezzar’s power is neither unlimited nor endless. God has the final say. This knowledge provides support only if we trust God at His word.