Jer 51:41 | KingComments | STEP | Then we hear the complaint of Jerusalem or Zion about what Nebuchadnezzar has done to her ( ). He has devoured Zion and crushed it and swallowed it like a sea monster. With all the delights of the land he has filled his stomach, and the land itself he has washed away by carrying off the inhabitants from it. The inhabitant of Zion is encouraged to ask for retribution ( ). That is in accordance with the period of time in which he lives. The believer of the church does not ask that, but asks forgiveness for his enemies. In the Old Testament and after the rapture of the church, the law applies. During those periods, God is in relationship with His earthly people, a relationship governed by the law. The time of the church, God’s heavenly people, on earth is characterized by grace. The LORD answers the demand for retribution with the promise that He will take the trial of His people ( ). He will take vengeance for them. He will drain the border river the Euphrates ( ) so that hostile armies can enter the land without difficulty. He will also ensure that there will be no new supply of water. Babylon will be destroyed ( ). Only jackals will dwell there. No man will covet that place anymore, because horror emanates from it and it has become a mockery. The Babylonians have always seen themselves as roaring young lions from whom everyone flees ( ). They only have to growl and terror is the result. But the LORD will prescribe drink to them that will make them drunk and lose sight of reality ( ; cf. ). They will be killed and never wake up again. The “perpetual sleep” is not soul sleep, for there is no such thing, but an indication that they will never possess power again. The LORD will kill them like lambs for slaughter ( ; cf. ). Sheshak was conquered and with it the glory of all the earth was taken ( ). That relative is man’s fame, it can perish just like that. The impressive Babylon perished and thus became a horror. What no one thought possible, that this mighty Babylon would fall, has happened. A sea of nations rose up against it and Babylon sank into it ( ; cf. ). Its cities were destroyed uninhabitable, as was the land ( ). No one lives there anymore, no one even migrates through it. Two things by which Babylon was famous were the god Bel and the wall of the city. The LORD executes judgment on Bel, the god of Babylon ( ). Everything that has been conquered in the name of this god and dedicated to him, everything of which this abomination has received the honor, the LORD will take away from him. The demons behind this abomination will receive no more honor. The LORD will claim all honor. Every knee will bow before Him. After the judgment on the invisible demonic source of its power, the LORD also executes judgment on the wall, his tangible and visible source of power. All of Babylon’s resistance is broken with the fall of its wall.

‏ Jeremiah 51:41

Pointless Defense of Babylon

Then we hear the complaint of Jerusalem or Zion about what Nebuchadnezzar has done to her (Jer 51:34). He has devoured Zion and crushed it and swallowed it like a sea monster. With all the delights of the land he has filled his stomach, and the land itself he has washed away by carrying off the inhabitants from it. The inhabitant of Zion is encouraged to ask for retribution (Jer 51:35).

That is in accordance with the period of time in which he lives. The believer of the church does not ask that, but asks forgiveness for his enemies. In the Old Testament and after the rapture of the church, the law applies. During those periods, God is in relationship with His earthly people, a relationship governed by the law. The time of the church, God’s heavenly people, on earth is characterized by grace.

The LORD answers the demand for retribution with the promise that He will take the trial of His people (Jer 51:36). He will take vengeance for them. He will drain the border river the Euphrates (Rev 16:12) so that hostile armies can enter the land without difficulty. He will also ensure that there will be no new supply of water. Babylon will be destroyed (Jer 51:37). Only jackals will dwell there. No man will covet that place anymore, because horror emanates from it and it has become a mockery.

The Babylonians have always seen themselves as roaring young lions from whom everyone flees (Jer 51:38). They only have to growl and terror is the result. But the LORD will prescribe drink to them that will make them drunk and lose sight of reality (Jer 51:39; cf. Dan 5:1-4 ; 30). They will be killed and never wake up again. The “perpetual sleep” is not soul sleep, for there is no such thing, but an indication that they will never possess power again. The LORD will kill them like lambs for slaughter (Jer 51:40; cf. Jer 12:3).

Sheshak was conquered and with it the glory of all the earth was taken (Jer 51:41). That relative is man’s fame, it can perish just like that. The impressive Babylon perished and thus became a horror. What no one thought possible, that this mighty Babylon would fall, has happened. A sea of nations rose up against it and Babylon sank into it (Jer 51:42; cf. Jer 51:13). Its cities were destroyed uninhabitable, as was the land (Jer 51:43). No one lives there anymore, no one even migrates through it.

Two things by which Babylon was famous were the god Bel and the wall of the city. The LORD executes judgment on Bel, the god of Babylon (Jer 51:44). Everything that has been conquered in the name of this god and dedicated to him, everything of which this abomination has received the honor, the LORD will take away from him. The demons behind this abomination will receive no more honor. The LORD will claim all honor. Every knee will bow before Him. After the judgment on the invisible demonic source of its power, the LORD also executes judgment on the wall, his tangible and visible source of power. All of Babylon’s resistance is broken with the fall of its wall.