Jer 51:7 | KingComments | STEP | This chapter continues the description of the judgment on Babylon that began in the previous chapter. The LORD uses every possible example and word to let us know how much He is wroth with Babylon and what He will do to her. Now He speaks of a spirit that He will stir up, a spirit that will destroy ( ). That spirit will come “against Babylon and against the inhabitants of Leb-kamai”. “Leb-kamai” is Hebrew for “heart of those who rise up against Me”. He will give in Babylon an evil spirit that will plunge her into destruction. There will be foreigners who will winnow Babylon, enemies who will take away all that is precious from the land, leaving what is worthless ( ). Winnowing is also connected to the spirit (or wind, it is the same word) of . Winnowing is done by the wind. The wind then does take the worthless and scatters it, while what is precious is left behind. The enemy will scatter the people as worthless and appropriate the treasures. Although the Babylonians are ready with bow and armor to defend themselves, all opposition will be ruthlessly struck down ( ). The young men are not spared, and all the army of Babylon is struck down. Dead bodies lie all over the land and in the streets of the cities ( ). The LORD is also wroth with Israel and Judah, but He will have mercy on them ( ). Their land is full of guilt, the LORD sees this very well, yet He will not put an end to that people precisely because He is “the Holy One of Israel”. Isaiah uses this Name for the LORD 25 times. Jeremiah uses that Name here for the second and last time ( ), both times in connection with the judgment on Babylon. Therefore, He calls His people to flee from Babylon and not be destroyed together with her in her punishment ( ; ). Babylon will receive from the LORD the judgment it deserves and the time for that is now. Babylon was used by the LORD as a golden cup, a cup containing the wine of the wrath of God ( ). Nebuchadnezzar is the golden head ( ), to whom the LORD has given authority over all the nations. He executed God’s judgment on the nations. Every nation has trembled before him. But his power has come to a sudden end ( ). He has famously relied on his own power and has no regard for the LORD. Attempts have been made, however, to heal Babylon again, to cure her. Indeed, Babylon has also brought many benefits. It has been a good land to live in. The fact that one was no longer free did not play a major role. However, the attempts to heal Babylon have proven to be in vain ( ). Therefore, everyone is telling each other to take the opportunity and return to their own land. It is pointless to stay there any longer because the situation is worsening instead of improving. Israel will become aware that the LORD has stood up for them ( ). They are aware of how the LORD sees them according to His counsel. They also tell one another to go to their land. They do so with the intention of telling in Zion the deeds of the LORD their God. Herein lies the lesson for us that when the Lord has delivered us from a distressing situation, it is good to tell of it in the place where He dwells, the local church. The LORD calls His instrument to sharpen the arrows and fill the quivers ( ). He is stirring up the spirit of the kings of the Medes against Babylon. This is in keeping with His plan to destroy Babylon. Babylon has destroyed His temple and for that it has brought upon itself the vengeance of the LORD. It will know against Whom it has rebelled. The LORD begins by lifting up a signal, indicating that victory has been won even before the war has begun ( ). Before the battle itself, He gives orders to strengthen the guard, station sentries, and place men in ambush. The certainty of victory does not make one overconfident. In this way, He will also carry out His purpose that He has spoken. Babylon dwells by many waters ( ), that is, it rules over many nations ( ). Babylon is also rich. She obtained this wealth through unbridled greed. However, her power and wealth are worthless as protection from God’s judgment. Babylon owes it to the LORD of hosts to have become as numerous as a swarm of migrating locusts, but she has given all the glory for it to herself. Therefore the LORD of hosts has sworn by Himself that He will judge her ( ). This will cause a shout of joy among the oppressed peoples.

‏ Jeremiah 51:7

The Vengeance of the LORD on Babylon

This chapter continues the description of the judgment on Babylon that began in the previous chapter. The LORD uses every possible example and word to let us know how much He is wroth with Babylon and what He will do to her. Now He speaks of a spirit that He will stir up, a spirit that will destroy (Jer 51:1). That spirit will come “against Babylon and against the inhabitants of Leb-kamai”. “Leb-kamai” is Hebrew for “heart of those who rise up against Me”. He will give in Babylon an evil spirit that will plunge her into destruction.

There will be foreigners who will winnow Babylon, enemies who will take away all that is precious from the land, leaving what is worthless (Jer 51:2). Winnowing is also connected to the spirit (or wind, it is the same word) of Jer 51:1. Winnowing is done by the wind. The wind then does take the worthless and scatters it, while what is precious is left behind. The enemy will scatter the people as worthless and appropriate the treasures.

Although the Babylonians are ready with bow and armor to defend themselves, all opposition will be ruthlessly struck down (Jer 51:3). The young men are not spared, and all the army of Babylon is struck down. Dead bodies lie all over the land and in the streets of the cities (Jer 51:4).

The LORD is also wroth with Israel and Judah, but He will have mercy on them (Jer 51:5). Their land is full of guilt, the LORD sees this very well, yet He will not put an end to that people precisely because He is “the Holy One of Israel”. Isaiah uses this Name for the LORD 25 times. Jeremiah uses that Name here for the second and last time (Jer 50:29), both times in connection with the judgment on Babylon. Therefore, He calls His people to flee from Babylon and not be destroyed together with her in her punishment (Jer 51:6; Jer 50:8). Babylon will receive from the LORD the judgment it deserves and the time for that is now.

Babylon was used by the LORD as a golden cup, a cup containing the wine of the wrath of God (Jer 51:7). Nebuchadnezzar is the golden head (Dan 2:38), to whom the LORD has given authority over all the nations. He executed God’s judgment on the nations. Every nation has trembled before him. But his power has come to a sudden end (Jer 51:8). He has famously relied on his own power and has no regard for the LORD.

Attempts have been made, however, to heal Babylon again, to cure her. Indeed, Babylon has also brought many benefits. It has been a good land to live in. The fact that one was no longer free did not play a major role. However, the attempts to heal Babylon have proven to be in vain (Jer 51:9). Therefore, everyone is telling each other to take the opportunity and return to their own land. It is pointless to stay there any longer because the situation is worsening instead of improving.

Israel will become aware that the LORD has stood up for them (Jer 51:10). They are aware of how the LORD sees them according to His counsel. They also tell one another to go to their land. They do so with the intention of telling in Zion the deeds of the LORD their God. Herein lies the lesson for us that when the Lord has delivered us from a distressing situation, it is good to tell of it in the place where He dwells, the local church.

The LORD calls His instrument to sharpen the arrows and fill the quivers (Jer 51:11). He is stirring up the spirit of the kings of the Medes against Babylon. This is in keeping with His plan to destroy Babylon. Babylon has destroyed His temple and for that it has brought upon itself the vengeance of the LORD. It will know against Whom it has rebelled.

The LORD begins by lifting up a signal, indicating that victory has been won even before the war has begun (Jer 51:12). Before the battle itself, He gives orders to strengthen the guard, station sentries, and place men in ambush. The certainty of victory does not make one overconfident. In this way, He will also carry out His purpose that He has spoken.

Babylon dwells by many waters (Jer 51:13), that is, it rules over many nations (Rev 17:15). Babylon is also rich. She obtained this wealth through unbridled greed. However, her power and wealth are worthless as protection from God’s judgment. Babylon owes it to the LORD of hosts to have become as numerous as a swarm of migrating locusts, but she has given all the glory for it to herself. Therefore the LORD of hosts has sworn by Himself that He will judge her (Jer 51:14). This will cause a shout of joy among the oppressed peoples.