Jeremiah 51

Jeremiah 51:1

51:1-19 God will send a destroyer to Babylon (Leb Kamai is a code word meaning, “The heart [or midst] of those who rise against me.”) who will not spare; this will be evidence that He has not forsaken . . . Israel and Judah. God used Babylon as a golden cup of judgment to make the nations stagger; now it will experience the vengeance of the LORD. Jewish exiles in Babylon are speaking in verses 9 and 10 in behalf of all the nations which had been conquered by Babylon. God’s greatness is contrasted with idols; the true God is the God of Israel and Judah. 51:20-37 Verses 20-23 are addressed to the Medes; verse 24 is probably intended for Judah. Then verse 25 reverts to Babylon again (“the destroying mountain”). It is to be a perpetual waste, without an inhabitant, a heap of ruins, the haunt of wild animals. The inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem are speaking in verses 34 and 35. 51:38-44 These verses had a partial fulfillment in 539 B.C. The Medes captured Babylon while Belshazzar and his court were feasting and drinking (Dan. 5). However, the city was not sacked at that time. The sea refers to future conquering invaders. 51:45-51 The Jewish captives were forewarned to leave the city before the attack and to return to Jerusalem as soon as possible. 51:52-58 The proud city will fall, its carved images be destroyed, its boastings be stilled, its leaders be slain, and its walls leveled. 51:59-64 Jeremiah commands Seraiah to carry these written prophecies against Babylon with him into captivity. After reading them, he is to sink them in the Euphratesa picture of the doom of Babylon. Chronologically, these verses belong to chapter 29.