Friday March 17th 2017
key verse: 16
THE ANNOUNCED FALL OF BABYLON
Jeremiah continually prophesies the fall of Babylon through this chapter the longest in the book of Jeremiah.
1. What is the sin of Babylon to have fallen so low ?
Babylon is ruthless. He was used as a hammer for the judgment of the nations, but he is similarly judged because of his cruelty. The people's cry of Zion rises to the sky (35). He is very stupid (13) so he picks all the treasures of the country including the treasures of the temple of Jerusalem. They gave themselves to the pleasure of the flesh organising parties in drunkenness (39). Babylon is idolatrous. The makers of idols (17,18) will be shamed by the Creator God who made the earth by his might and who makes Jacob the part of his inheritance.
2. The personality of God revealed through the judgment of Babylon
God is sovereign and he uses the power of the world to punish the nations (20). God is with Israel forever in spite of his sin (5). He also is a kind God towards the wicked, he wanted to make them come and heal them (8,9). But God also yields to each one his right (56, 2 Co 5:10). God doesn't tolerate idolatry. He judges Bel of Babylon (44).
This prophecy was given early, in the fourth year of Zedeki, when the king and the ministers went to Babylon for the toll, and after they will revolt. This calamity is predicted by Jeremiah even before the devastation of Jerusalem. So, God's judgment is formidable and is long-winded. Babylon will be fully devastated as the stone submerged by the water.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your kindness toward a sinner like me. You save the sinner and make him your inheritance. Help me to walk before you.
Bottom line: Babylon is fallen
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