Jeremiah 50:1-16
Babylon, the cradle of worldliness and corruption, is the last of the nations to hear the judgment of the LORD. Because Jeremiah preached that the people should surrender to Nebuchadnezzar, he had been accused of supporting the Chaldeans and betraying his own people. Now, these two long prophetic chapters show us what God had taught him about Babylon. Furthermore he had already declared that if the LORD used Babylon to discipline Judah, the moment would come when, in turn, the great city would be "visited" in judgment and reduced to perpetual desolation (Jeremiah 25:12-14). Bel, Merodach (the god Marduk) and all her other idols were going to disappear in disgrace along with those who served them, whilst Israel and Judah would no longer be "forsaken of their God, the LORD of hosts" (Jeremiah 51:5). These judgments which were about to fall on Babylon would play a part in finally opening the eyes and the hearts of the people in captivity. Vv. 4, 5 show us the tears and humiliation which will accompany their return to the LORD, a prelude to their total and final deliverance. The present world is full of vain idols which will soon pass away with it. Being instructed as we are by the Word of God, may we keep ourselves from them (1 John 5:21).