Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD's hand"
Text: Jeremiah 51:7
ADMONITION TO FLEE FROM BABYLON
The LORD had given very clear words of warning that Babylon will be judged and that it would fall. Yet, there were some who were reluctant to leave the city.
“Flee from the midst of Babylon,
And every one save his life!
Do not be cut off in her iniquity,
For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance;
He shall recompense her.
Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD’s hand,
That made all the earth drunk.
The nations drank her wine;
Therefore the nations are deranged.
Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed.
Wail for her!
Take balm for her pain;
Perhaps she may be healed.”
Jeremiah 51:6-8
1. “Flee from the midst of Babylon, and every one save his life!
Do not be cut off in her iniquity, for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance;
He shall recompense her”
a) All inhabitants were urged to flee Babylon.
b) To heed this word would be to save one’s life.
c) To choose to stay in Babylon would result in being killed (“cut off”).
d) God was judging Babylon for its iniquity.
e) This was the Lord’s vengeance (judgment).
f) Babylon would receive its just recompense.
g) The danger of being killed was very real.
2. “Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, that made all the earth drunk.
The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations are deranged”
a) Babylon was indeed a golden cup of the LORD.
b) But Babylon became wicked and full of iniquity.
c) It drew in other nations to drink her wine.
d) These nations also became “deranged”.
3. “Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed. Wail for her!
Take balm for her pain; perhaps she may be healed”
a) Babylon had fallen.
b) It is destroyed.
c) At one stage, balm was offered to her.
d) There was hope that it might be healed.
e) But that was not to be for Babylon chose the path of iniquity.
f) The LORD had to pronounce judgment and vengeance on Babylon.