Jeremiah 51

Jeremiah 51:13

Thou Babylon, situated upon the great river Euphrates, and who rulest over many nations, the wealth of which thou hast collected by thy conquests, now the time fixed by God for the increase of thy wealth is finished

Jeremiah 51:38-46

Their mad roaring at their drunken and idolatrous revels shall be turned into fearful howlings: and, while they are inflamed with wine, the Persians shall murder them, their king, and their princes. At their idolatrous festival, in honour of their god Sheshach, shall Babylon be surprised by multitudes of irresistible enemies, and at last become quite desolate, and a fen or lake.—And, while their idols shall be destroyed by the Persians, who hate images, the spoils which they took from the nations around, especially from the Jewish temple, and dedicated to their idols, shall be forced back, and restored to the owners: and no more shall multitudes bring presents, or come to worship their idols. Hasten out of Babylon as far as ye can, O ye Jews, and let not the rumours of Cyrus’ invasion, or the revolt of the Chaldean lords, in the least terrify you, for God will by these very means work out your deliverance. 50, 51. O ye Jews, who have been preserved from the slaughter at the taking of Babylon, embrace the first opportunity of returning to Canaan, to rebuild your temple to God; deeply ashamed that, for your fathers’ iniquities, it has so long lain in rubbish, and God been so much reproached on that account. 11

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. LI.—Fearful are the destructions which await those who have long been employed in executing God’s judgments upon others. And nothing more hastens their ruin than their insolence against God and abuse of his people. Even when he frowns upon these himself, he cannot endure others to insult, murder, or oppress, them. And it is easy for that Almighty God, who is infinitely superior to idols, to make his counsel to stand, and to do all his pleasure. Strong and brave are the weakest when God animates them to the battle: and weak and dispirited the strongest when God fights against them. Yain is every thing earthly, as all may issue at last in such misery and desolation. But, alas, how dreadful must be the last, the eternal, destruction of the wicked, of which all the overthrows of cities and nations are but morning per-ludes! Quickly should we flee from among them, that we share not in their sins and their plagues. In every affliction we suffer on earth, let us think on God, and remember his mercy and truth. And, though the accomplishment of his words be ever so unlikely, let us never stagger at his promise through unbelief. Is there any thing too hard for the Lord?