Jeremiah 50 Commentary
Jeremiah winds down with chapters 50, 51, and 52. It is a complex book in terms of the flow of events but the message itself is delivered in the simplest of forms. We all can understand it.
Jeremiah is a book of Judgments – what the LORD called ‘uprooting’. Not appearing infrequently is the term restoration. The LORD called it ‘planting’.
(1)Judah. The bulk of the book covers the LORD’s judgment on Judah. It includes the LORD’s ‘pleas’ to the nation to repent and avoid judgment. Also included are the great prophet Jeremiah’s personal experiences and interactions with various leaders.
(2)Egypt. Chapters 44 and 46.
(3)A select set of nations: Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. Chapters 47 to 49.
(4) Babylon. Covered by two long chapters, 50 and 51.
(5)The last section looks at the fulfillment of the LORD’s judgment on Judah.
Chapter 50 begins the judgment against Babylon. Let Bel know. Let Babylon’s patron god know. (The LORD is out to shame the nations’ gods: Bel of Babylon, Amon of Egypt, Chemosh of Moab, Molek of Ammon, and Ishtah of the Jews in Egypt among many others). Then Israel will be free to save her God, the Creator God, the LORD God Almighty.
The destruction of the nations’ gods is a sounder to the thought that elevates the devil to the Creator God’s equal. The pretender god and his many versions among the nations will one day be destroyed, his powers cut short, and his influence brought to nothing.
The remnant will seek the LORD. They will ask the way to Zion. Verse 5. This is pointing to the Messiah who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The covenant thus born is everlasting. The glory days will have come. The LORD will have firmly planted His own; never to be uprooted again.
But Babylon’s fate was sure destruction. Ponder Babylon’s fate and know that one day the powerful won’t be powerful at all. Babylon’s rise was huge and its fall so colossus that it is repeated in the New Testament to represent the fall of evil establishments. The LORD is always behind it.
Search for Israel’s guilt; none will be found. The LORD will have forgiven them. Verse 20. Again the scripture is referring to the days of the Son.
Verse 34 is beautiful. Israel’s redeemer is strong. He will vigorously defend their cause. The LORD has it all under control. Worry not. What comforting words!
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