50:17-19 - This is a great illustration and a simple retelling of the Book of Jeremiah. The sheep (Judah) have gone astray...they have left the safety of their shepherd's flock (As Israel turned away from God). Because of this, the sheep were hunted down and devoured by lions (Assyria and Babylon). But fortunately, the sheep have a tenacious shepherd who goes out and finds them and brings them back into the fold. That is the story of Jeremiah in a nutshell.
50:31-32 - This verse really struck me between the eyes, because I know I struggle with pride so much. In fact, as I was reading this passage, I was having trouble focusing on the text because my mind kept wandering back to an incident where I had my pride wounded and was wondering what I needed to do about it. Suddenly, this verse cuts through the fog and grabs my attention. I need to be reminded often about how God feels about those who are selfishly proud or who take pride in themselves. The proud are the enemies of God...He will bring them low and I don't want to be against Him!
51:7 - This is really great imagery from Jeremiah. Babylon offers this cup of their culture to the world and the people around them greedily drink it up. They want what Babylon has - they want power, prestige, wealth, etc. They gulp down what Babylon is offering and soon find out that is does nothing but drive them mad. My mind immediately jumped to the chief export of the United States - our cultural madness. As Christians in the United States, what can we do to bring cultural changes to a country that sells its brand of self-centered consumerism all over the world? Many of us have drunk it up too...what needs to change in my life...in yours?
51:15-16 - If there was any doubt about Babylons chances at standing against God, Jeremiah clears that all up pretty quickly. God is the creator and the sustainer of everything and his wrath will not be escaped. Something it wouldn't hurt for you and I to remember 0n a daily basis.
52:4-5 - They were besieged for almost two years...can you imagine that? No you can't. Re-read chapter 19 if you want to see how Jeremiah describes what will happened. Trapped in a walled city for two years. The filth and disease must have been rampant. Famine and starvation lead to cannibalism. Fear and depression probably lead to suicides and infighting. This is an utterly heartbreaking punishment that the people of Judah have brought down on themselves.
52:17 - The decorations in the house of the Lord are torn down. They are broken to pieces and shipped back to Babylon. Bronze that was once used in worship of the Lord, goes back to Babylon to be turned into weapons and mirrors and pots and pans...it is totally humiliating to God. Don't forget that when human beings reject their creator they not only bring humility on themselves, but on the name of God too.
52:31-33 - Jehoiachin is brought out of prison by the Babylonian king. He is treated with kindness and respect. Give clothes, a place to stay, and food for life. Doesn't this seem like such a strange way to end the book of Jeremiah? Why is it that Jeremiah ends by telling us this tid-bit of information? Because Jehoiachin is in the line of King David...even in the midst of exile, the line continues on...hope still exists...God is faithful.
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