Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah"
Text: Jeremiah 51:5
THE FATE OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH
Babylon would not be spared from destruction. The entire Babylonian empire would come to an abrupt end when their enemies conquered them. But what about the many from Israel and Judah that dwell in Babylon?
“Against her let the archer bend his bow,
And lift himself up against her in his armour.
Do not spare her young men;
Utterly destroy all her army.
Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans,
And those thrust through in her streets.
For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah,
By his God, the LORD of hosts,
Though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.”
Jeramiah 51:3-5
1. “Against her let the archer bend his bow, and lift himself up against her in his armour.
Do not spare her young men; utterly destroy all her army”
a) The archer symbolised the might of the Medo-Persians.
b) They mount up a fierce attack on Babylon with a well-armed army.
c) They would severely cripple and then finally destroy the Babylonian forces.
2. “Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans,
and those thrust through in her streets”
a) The land of the Chaldeans would see many of their people killed.
b) The invading armies of the Medo-Persians would slay many.
c) The Babylonians would not be spared.
d) They would be slain in their own streets.
3. “For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, by his God, the LORD of hosts, though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel”
a) Israel and Judah were guilty of sinning against the LORD.
b) Their sins had been spoken against by many prophets.
c) The prophet Jeremiah had devoted his whole life
confronting God’s people concerning their sins.
d) God had a special message to proclaim to Israel and Judah.
i) God had not forsaken them.
ii) They had been duly punished by the LORD.
iii) They would not perish with the Babylonians.
iv) This was a solemn promise made by the LORD of hosts.