Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"This whole land shall be a desolation"
Text: Jeremiah 25:11
A SEVENTY YEAR EXILE PERIOD
Judah and Jerusalem would be made desolate because of the stubbornness and the wickedness of the people. A seventy-year exile would be imposed on them!
“Moreover I will take from them
the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness,
the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride,
the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.
And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment,
and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.”
Jeremiah 25:10-11
1. What would be taken away from Judah and Jerusalem?
a) The voice of mirth and gladness.
b) Wedding celebrations.
c) Normal ordinary activities.
i) The sound of the millstones grinding grain.
ii) The simple joy of the lighting of household lamps.
d) These “normal things” would no longer be seen in Judah.
2. The whole land of Judah
a) It would become a desolation.
b) Many would be astonished that the once thriving kingdom would exist no more.
3. In servitude to the king of Babylon
a) All in Judah would become slaves of the king of Babylon.
b) They would be deported.
c) They would serve the king in different capacities.
i) The royal family members would lose their status.
ii) The wealthy would experience poverty.
iii) All would understand humiliation as “servants” (slaves).
4. The length of this Captivity
a) Judah would be in captivity for 70 years in Babylon.
b) Those who were deported when they are much older would probably die in captivity.
c) This was a solemn pronouncement indeed!