Explore the Bible: August 20

Just • Jeremiah 50:11-20, 33-36

By Don Schuman

Life does not always pan out the way we think it should. The Lord God works out His purposes in ways that we may not understand. Nevertheless, we can rest in His promises that the wicked will face judgment, Christ’s return is certain, and the believer’s redemption is assured in Christ. Such are the assurances in these verses of Jeremiah.

Vengeance Exacted (Jeremiah 50:11-16). Babylon had decimated Judah and taken the people into captivity, just as the Lord through Jeremiah had foretold.

They had not conquered the Jews out of a zeal for the Lord God of the Jews but out of pride (note Nebuchadnezzar’s pride in Daniel 4:29-31), zeal for their gods (Daniel 1:1-2), and a general joy in plunder (Jeremiah 50:11) — all which led to ill treatment of the Jews.

Although the Lord used the Babylonians to accomplish His judgment on Judah, the Babylonians brought judgment on themselves for their brutal treatment of the Jews and rejection of God, infamously recorded in Daniel chapter five as Belshazzar’s feast.

How would the Lord’s vengeance be exacted? The description of His vengeance includes Jeremiah 50:1-16 which describes the destruction of their idols (v.1), the lasting destruction of the city (vv. 3 and 13), the humiliation of the Babylonians (v.12), and the plunder of the Chaldeans (v. 10).

All the elements of their glory will be taken away. The Medes and Persians would conquer Babylon and set up a new empire.

The world today has its own elements of glory: self, materialism, secular humanism, and a spirit of antichrist to tear down that which the Lord has established in His creation, including the glory to God that the heavens and earth declare.

Like proud Babylon, the zeal of today’s world comes from pride, imaginary philosophies, and lust for power.

Revelation 17-18 foretell a coming time when mighty Babylon, the world system set against Christ, will fall.

Like ancient Babylon, the apocalyptic Babylon will fall, never to be rebuilt. The Lord has foretold in His Word that the utter devastation that came true for early Babylon will also come true for the last Babylon.

Return Promised (Jeremiah 50:17-20). Israel had been like sheep that abandoned the Shepherd. Thus, they were defenseless against the lions of Assyria and Babylon. In their abandonment of the Lord, they were scattered even farther among the nations.

The second assurance from the Lord in these verses is that Judah will return to her land. The land will be healed and plenteous once again but more importantly, the Lord would forgive the remnant whom He reserved.

The healing miracles of Jesus point to His power to heal our broken spirits. Early in His ministry, He revealed His purpose to heal the broken hearted (Luke 4:17-21). His salvation heals the sin-sick soul, dead in trespasses and deserving the wrath of God.

His healing gives new life and a new relationship and fellowship with the Heavenly Father. Just as the shepherd rejoices when the one lost sheep is found, so heaven rejoices when one sinner repents (Luke 15:4-7).

When we were the sheep who strayed from God, His salvation has returned us to Jesus, “the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).

Redemption Assured (Jeremiah 50:33-34). A third assurance in this lesson is that the Redeemer of Israel will be victorious. Strong nations might think they can withstand the will and purposes of God, but the Redeemer caused the overthrow of the Babylonian empire with its mighty army.

No nation or coalition of nations can overcome the Lord of hosts. Nor can the powers of Satan, sin, and the world overcome the redemption that believers have in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been justified feely by His grace through redemption in Christ (Romans 3:24).

We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7). That redemption is eternal (Hebrews 9:12).

Believers long for the day when the Chief Shepherd shall appear (1 Peter 5:4) and our Redeemer shall stand in that last day upon the earth (Job 19:25). Babylon will fall, Christ will establish the throne of David upon the earth forever, and God will create a new heaven and a new earth.

A terrible time of wrath and vengeance is coming in those last days, but also the Son is coming with power and great glory. When the last days begin to unfold, lift up your head for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:20-28).

Schuman is pastor of Temple Church, Myrtle.