Jer 50:2 | KingComments | STEP | Two long chapters are devoted to “the word … concerning Babylon” ( ). In Jeremiah 46-49 we see that Babylon is the disciplinary rod in the hand of God to discipline other nations. Now comes God’s judgment on this rod (cf. ). This judgment comes on it because the disciplinary rod is even worse than Israel itself. God disciplines His children because He loves them. When the rod goes beyond God’s purpose, God must judge the rod. God blames Babylon for executing judgment on Jerusalem in a way that He did not ordain (cf. ). Again we have the double layer. Babylon is judged by the Medes and Persians ( ). The Medes and Persians are the rod of God for Babylon. Babylon is also the great God-hating power in the end time, represented there in the restored Roman Empire. We know this because judgment on Babylon is connected to the restoration of Israel in the end time, when the two and ten tribes are back in the land. Jeremiah now, commissioned by the LORD, fearlessly speaks the word against mighty Babylon ( ; ). This word spans two long chapters. Jeremiah makes the announcement of judgment on Babylon heard among the nations who have also suffered under the yoke of Babylon ( ). Deliverance from that yoke comes, they may lift up a standard and say that Babylon has been captured. With that, his chief god Bel and other idols have also lost their power, they have been shattered. The enemy who will defeat Babylon comes from the north, just as Babylon itself is an enemy for Israel who comes from the north ( ). The enemy for Babylon are the Medes and Persians. They defeat Babylon and turn the land into an object of horror, from which all life flees. The final fulfillment of this lies in the future.

‏ Jeremiah 50:2

Introduction

Two long chapters are devoted to “the word … concerning Babylon” (Jer 50:1). In Jeremiah 46-49 we see that Babylon is the disciplinary rod in the hand of God to discipline other nations. Now comes God’s judgment on this rod (cf. Isa 10:5-19). This judgment comes on it because the disciplinary rod is even worse than Israel itself. God disciplines His children because He loves them. When the rod goes beyond God’s purpose, God must judge the rod. God blames Babylon for executing judgment on Jerusalem in a way that He did not ordain (cf. Hab 1:13).

Again we have the double layer. Babylon is judged by the Medes and Persians (Dan 5:28-30). The Medes and Persians are the rod of God for Babylon. Babylon is also the great God-hating power in the end time, represented there in the restored Roman Empire. We know this because judgment on Babylon is connected to the restoration of Israel in the end time, when the two and ten tribes are back in the land.

The Word Concerning Babylon

Jeremiah now, commissioned by the LORD, fearlessly speaks the word against mighty Babylon (Jer 50:1; Jer 25:26 ; Jer 27:7). This word spans two long chapters. Jeremiah makes the announcement of judgment on Babylon heard among the nations who have also suffered under the yoke of Babylon (Jer 50:2). Deliverance from that yoke comes, they may lift up a standard and say that Babylon has been captured. With that, his chief god Bel and other idols have also lost their power, they have been shattered.

The enemy who will defeat Babylon comes from the north, just as Babylon itself is an enemy for Israel who comes from the north (Jer 50:3). The enemy for Babylon are the Medes and Persians. They defeat Babylon and turn the land into an object of horror, from which all life flees. The final fulfillment of this lies in the future.