Week 50 – Book of Jeremiah
Read:
Jeremiah Chapter 50; Revelation Chapters 17-18
Background
In
539 BC when Cyrus of Persia arrives, the Babylonian Empire falls, and 70 years
of captivity comes to an end for the people of Judah. Remembering Jeremiah’s
prophecy for the coming captives in chapter 29, the people had settled in and tried
to establish themselves as God said, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have
sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you
will have welfare.”(29:7) Prophets in Babylon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, attempt
to bring God’s messages and discredit the false prophets. Now, Cyrus comes as a
liberator, allowing them to return to Jerusalem, but Babylon will suffer its
own destruction in time.
After
Nebuchadnezzar dies in 562 BC, there are several leaders that are assassinated,
but eventually Nabonidus “assumes power appointing his son Belshazzar as
co-ruler”[1]
who is responsible for the “ungodly feast” that included gold and silver
vessels taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. (Daniel 5) Belshazzar perishes
during the Mede-Persian takeover!
Babylon,
recognized as a formidable city mostly because of Nebuchadnezzar, is secured by
“2 sets of walls, inner and outer, 350 feet high, 87 feet thick” with “150
gates of solid brass” at entrances with “250 watch towers, 100 feet higher than
the wall itself.”[2] Essentially,
there is little vulnerability. In Ezekiel 17:12-24, “Ezekiel echoes the
prophecies of Jeremiah relating to Babylonian captivity. It’s obvious from
these many passages in the prophets that Babylon occupies a large place in the prophetical
program of the Old Testament for the nations surrounding Israel.”[3]
The
Medes, one of the many nations, will be punished by God (Jeremiah 25:25), and in
chapter 51:11, 28, the Medes will be used to destroy Babylon. Remember, Babylon
steals all the Temple treasures, and God’s righteous anger rests on Babylon.
“Long before Babylon fell, it was predicted that the Medes would be God’s
avenging instrument.”[4]
Old Testament prophets Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi give their prophecies
during the reign of the Mede-Persian Empire. In this era, the Jewish exiles are
allowed to return to Jerusalem and restore the city and the Temple. Cyrus
promotes religious freedom. With the fall of the Babylonian Empire, a symbol of
moral and religious depravity, these Gentiles and their culture with its pagan
ideas continue to pass through the centuries to come.
The
expansive new power of the Medes and Persians has been underestimated. The rise
of the Medes comes after the Assyrian Empire falls. Persia is also a rising
power, and together, Media and Persia form a common government which lasts
until Alexander the Great conquers them in 331 BC, some two hundred years
later.
Babylon,
referenced in Revelation 17-18, may or may not be referring to the Babylonian
Empire of the Old Testament. Certainly, it represents “an influence for evil
politically and religiously” and will “not be terminated until Jesus Christ
comes in power and glory to reign.”[5]
Study
With
many parallels between Jeremiah 50-51 and Revelation 17-18, we read about God’s
judgment on Babylon and its destruction. Together chapters 50-51 reveal this prophecy
by Jeremiah. “Babylon is taken” (v 2). “God declares war on both Babylon and
the gods of Babylon.”[6]
Again, the conquer comes from the north. Referring to the people of Judah as
lost sheep, Wiersbe says, “While the immediate application is to the return of
the exiles from Babylon, the ultimate reference includes the gathering of the
Jews in the latter days.”[7]
Babylon
will be captured, and the Chaldeans will become their conqueror’s “plunder”.
(v10) Why would God destroy Babylon after he gave them the ability to conquer
Judah? They “rejoiced” far too much, taking advantage of the circumstances.
(v11-13) God’s vengeance on Babylon comes with Cyrus (Medes-Persians), and
later Alexander the Great with his Greek army. God’s plan is specific and final.
Clearly, God intends to put an end to Babylon.
The
Divine Plan comes in three parts: God declaring war with Babylon (50:1-28), God
gathering armies against Babylon (50:29-51:26, and God arranging the victory
over Babylon (51:27-28). In verse 29 the order is given, “Call together the
archers against Babylon” and let no one escape. God reminds the children of
Israel, their “Redeemer is strong.” (v34) We read of disruptions of war,
distress and disaster follow. “For it is the land of carved images, and they
are insane with their idols.” (v38b) These armies will be “cruel and shall not
show mercy.” (v42)
Historically,
records show Cyrus and later Alexander the Great will invade and conquer
Babylon. God will “make their dwelling place desolate.” (v45) In His
sovereignty, God’s will prevails. “At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth
trembles, and the cry is heard among the nations.” (v46) There is no earthly
power, no matter how great, can last forever.
Today,
the nations of the world all stand in defiance, ignoring God, committing sins
agains His laws and against each other. Along with terrorism, genocide,
injustice, abuse, sex trafficking, and a myriad of crimes and wars, the list must
also include our new, improved, 21st century idols – wealth, power,
social status, technology, beauty, and on it goes. Israel (Northern Kingdom), Judah
(Southern Kingdom), other nations, Babylon discover God’s righteous judgment. At
some point, after all is recorded on history’s ledger, God’s most sovereign act
will end this earthly confusion. For now, “Do not seal up the words of the
prophecy of this book, for the time is near… I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:10-13)
Reflection
– Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ Anticipation
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, You are very great;
You are clothed with splendor and
majesty.
Psalm 104:1 NASB
In ancient Roman times, emblems of evergreens mean peace and joy
and victory, while early Christians use these symbols to reflect that
"Christ had entered the home." Now days, decorations of evergreen
branches trim porches, mantles, and banisters; evergreen wreaths hang on
windows, over fireplaces, outside doors. While these symbols reflect the
celebration of the Advent season, this time of longing for the Messiah, the
evergreens give continuous, unspoken reminders of God's endless mercy,
everlasting life, eternal Hope. Since the first sin of mankind, throughout
thousands of years, century after century, darkness waits for redemption, waits
for the light that only Christ can reveal. Jesus' birth, rich with prophecy and
promise, only unfolds part of God's Grace story. There is more, much more! This
forgiven heart eagerly anticipates the conclusion of His story, the Second
Advent of Christ, when Faithful and True returns for
me.
At Jesus' birth, Mary wraps Him in cloths
and lays Him in an animal’s trough. After Jesus' death, with
permission from Pilate, a man called Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the
Jewish Sanhedrin, takes the body of Jesus from the cross and wraps it
in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had
ever lain. Coming from a virgin womb and wrapped in cloths, Immanuel
becomes grace to harsh world, and when calloused people crucify Him, the Lamb
of God, wrapped in linen cloths, lay in a virgin tomb. Politics and power,
greed and guilt, denial and death will never define the immutable life of
Jesus; instead, the Messiah's victory over death and promise to return for His
people enlarge God's never-ending story of Grace. The promise of Christ's
Second Advent fills the mind seeking wonder and hope, stills the heart living
grief and fear, and thrills the soul knowing grace and peace. Earthly wrappings
can never tell the whole story of Advent!
and He who sat on it is called
Faithful and True, ...
He is clothed with robe dipped in
blood,
and His names is called The Word of
God...
And on His robe and on His thigh He
has a name written,
"KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF
LORDS."
Revelation
19:11-16 NASB
Clothed with splendor and majesty, Christ will come again.
Surrounded by angels, His glory will illumine space; there will be no more darkness. LORD
OF LORDS, the title declaring Him Lord over all, reigns forever.
Jesus Christ - the Light of the World, the Messiah, KING OF KINGS -
now waits in Heaven until the holy appointed time. Jesus waits
for us to call on His name, waits for us to cry out in
need, waits for us to share His Love, waits for us to speak
His name. Listen! Every day the Word of God quills the story of
everlasting love and unfailing grace. Believe! Every day, find
Immanuel, God with us. Wait! Anticipate Advent every moment of
your everyday. THIS is the Christmas Story!
Application
There
is so much to contemplate regarding Babylon’s destruction, and in the last days
when Christ returns, there will be stark contrast between evil and good,
between darkness and light. Prophecies fulfilled and still to come.
What
influences your faith – for bad and good? Where does your faith rest?
Do
you anticipate the Christmas story’s final chapter?
Donna
Oswalt
[1] Bible.org/RiseandFallofBabylon
[2]
Ibid
[3]
Ibid
[4]
Ibid
[5] Ibid
[6] Wiersbe
Study Bible notes Jeremiah chapter 50
[7]
Ibid
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