Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"It is the vengeance of the LORD"
Text: Jeremiah 50:15
THE ENEMIES OF BABYLON
The Babylonians conquered many lands to form their empire. They had made many enemies over the years. They were waiting for the time when they could overthrow the Babylonian rulers.
“Put yourselves in array against Babylon all around,
All you who bend the bow;
Shoot at her, spare no arrows,
For she has sinned against the LORD.
Shout against her all around;
She has given her hand,
Her foundations have fallen,
Her walls are thrown down;
For it is the vengeance of the LORD.
Take vengeance on her.
As she has done, so do to her.
Cut off the sower from Babylon,
And him who handles the sickle at harvest time.
For fear of the oppressing sword
Everyone shall turn to his own people,
And everyone shall flee to his own land.”
Jeremiah 50:14-16
1. “Put yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow;
shoot at her, spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD”
a) The mention of “arrows”.
b) This was a hint about the Medo-Persians.
c) They had famed archers.
d) They would be the ones who were destined to conquer Babylon.
e) Babylon had sinned against the LORD and their empire would be overthrown.
2. “Shout against her all around; she has given her hand, her foundations have fallen,
her walls are thrown down; for it is the vengeance of the LORD. Take vengeance on her.
As she has done, so do to her”
a) The vengeance of the LORD:
i) This describes the judgment of the LORD.
ii) Babylon’s very foundations and walls would be destroyed.
b) The shout of victory:
i) This would be sounded by the conquering Medo-Persians.
ii) The cruel and wicked ways of the Babylonians would receive retribution!
3. “Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him who handles the sickle at harvest time.
For fear of the oppressing sword everyone shall turn to his own people,
and everyone shall flee to his own land”
a) All in Babylon would be affected.
i) The sower.
ii) The reaper.
iii) All foreigners who had settled in Babylon.
b) All would flee Babylon when it is invaded.
c) All would fear the oppressing sword of the Medo-Persian conquerors.