Babylon Will Fall

What to do when the world around you is crumbling—Jeremiah 50

This and the chapter that follows speak of the fall of Babylon and what God wants His people to do when that happens.

• A nation from the north will takeover Babylon, destroying the false religion of Babylon, too (v. 1-3, 9)
• After the cruelty of captivity, the Jews will be free (v. 4-7).
• Once liberated, the Jews must return to Israel quickly to avoid the invading army from the north (v. 8-10).
• Babylon, the cruel destroyer, shall be destroyed by God (v. 11-34).
• Do you remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Babylon will be so destroyed by God (v. 35-40).
• We reap what we sow. Babylon sowed violence; Babylon would reap violence against itself (v. 41-46).

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God’s New Covenant

Jeremiah 31

Continuing the promises of the previous chapter

• God begins by declaring His intent to be God over a reunited Israel (v1).
• Though circumstances at one time or another may look otherwise, God’s love is everlasting (v. 3). Is yours?
• When God begins a work, He finishes it (v. 4).
• The crooked path shall be made straight (v. 9).
• The shepherd has not lost His flock (v. 10).
• The voice in Ramah weeping for her children (v. 15). Remember Matthew 2 and Herod’s murder of the young.
• Our heavenly Father weeps when He must discipline His children (v. 19-20).
• Changed hearts are accompanied by changed speech (v. 23).
• Weary souls shall be satisfied (v. 24).
• Everything shall become new (v. 28).
• Personal responsibility (v. 29-30).

The new covenant (v. 31)

• Unlike the former covenant at the time of the Exodus (v. 32).
• Law written in their hearts. Now that’s different! (v. 33).
• Men who don’t need to be taught because they will know God (v. 34).
• As sure as the sun, the moon and the stars (v. 35-36).
• Grace that cannot be measured (v. 37).
• A new construction project (v. 38).
• Death and holiness, a sacred battlefield (v. 40).

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The Book that Jeremiah Wrote

Jeremiah 30

• God’s good news is written in a book (v. 1-2)
• He will end the time of Babylonian captivity, and the Jews will be allowed to return home (v. 3)
• What is this “time of Jacob’s trouble” out of which “he shall be saved”? (v. 7)
• God will make a full end of their enemies (v. 11), but not of them.
• God alone cares for them (v. 12-17).
• The restored relationship will be that of God and His people (v. 22).

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A Tale of Two Letters

Jeremiah 29

God’s counsel for those taken captive by Babylon (v. 1-23)

• Build houses
• Plant gardens
• Get married
• Have children
• Live in peace with your new neighbors
• Pray for peace
• Don’t be misled by false prophets
• Wait until your 70-year sentence has been fulfilled
• Know that I have not forgotten you
• Call upon me, pray; and I will answer you and deliver you
• Be warned that those who resisted my counsel will suffer in Israel

Pseudo-scriptures of Shemiah (v. 24-32)

• Published widely
• Professing to be God’s spokesman
• Pushing others to stop Jeremiah and rebel against God
• Proudly lying and endangering others
• Punished accordingly

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