In Today's Email:
Jeremiah 49 Notes
In this chapter judgment against various nations is pronounced.
vs. 1-6 – The Ammonites were taken defeated and taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 582 B.C. They existed as a distinct nation in the days of the Roman Empire but eventually assimilated into surrounding peoples.
vs. 7-22 – Edom believed they were safe because of their fortified cities carved into the rock hills. Their pride and confidence would be turned to utter humiliation. Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians defeated them in 582 B.C.
vs. 23-27 – Syria and its capital of Damascus fell to Babylon in 603 B.C.
vs. 28-33 – Keder and Hazor were nations descended from Ishmael. Their territory was in Arabia. Their Bedouin-like lifestyle would not escape the notice of Babylon. They were defeated in 599 B.C.
vs. 34-39 – This section is from a later date of 597 B.C. than the preceding prophecies. Elam was a nation north and east of the Persian Gulf. It fell to Babylon in 596 B.C. It would later ally itself with Persian against Babylon and its capital of Susa became a capital of Persia (and the setting of Esther). This prophecy of doom ends with a promise of restoration that is likely during the Millennial Kingdom.
Jeremiah 50 Notes
In this chapter the prophecy against Babylon is given.
vs. 1-3 – The defeat of Babylon and her powerless idols is announced. The nation coming from the north is the Medo-Persian alliance.
vs. 4-7 – The exiled kingdoms of Israel and Judah would return home and seek the Lord.
vs. 8-10 – A call to flee before judgment came with the Medo-Persians.
vs. 11-16 – The humiliation of Babylon in their defeat.
vs. 17-20 – Assyria had persecuted Israel and had been judged. Babylon would also be judged. God simply used them to purge Israel of her sins.
vs. 21-32 – The vicious attacks that would defeat Babylon.
vs. 33-34 – The Jews would be preserved through all of this judgment and brought back to their homeland.
vs. 35-38 – The judgments of violence and drought are described.
vs. 39-46 – The utter destruction of Babylon is described. It faded from importance, especially after Alexander the Great took it. It took centuries, but it became a small village where tourists came to see the ruins from the former glory of an empire.
Closing Thoughts
One of the age-old questions that we continually see repeated is why the wicked prosper. In the case of Babylon, it was not that their evil made them to grow into a great power. No, God raised them up. He used them to purge idolatry from the hearts of the Israelites. This was not because God liked Babylon more than Israel. They were simply a tool He used, and when He was finished with them they received His righteous judgment. Sometimes this is why the wicked prosper, because God has a purpose for them. But rest assured that at the end of the day they will receive their just reward.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord”, written by Horatius Bonar in 1857. It carries the spirit seen in Jeremiah 50:5 of seeking the Lord.
Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
however dark it be;
lead me by thine own hand,
choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough,
it will be still the best;
winding or straight, it leads
right onward to thy rest.
I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might:
choose thou for me, my God,
so shall I walk aright.
The Kingdom that I seek
is thine; so let the way
that leads to it be thine,
else I must surely stray.
Take thou my cup, and it
with joy or sorrow fill,
as best to thee may seem;
choose thou my good and ill.
Choose thou for me my friends,
my sickness or my health;
choose thou my cares for me,
my poverty or wealth.
Not mine, not mine, the choice
in things or great or small;
be thou my guide, my strength,
my wisdom, and my all.