The Fall of Babylon

Were going to move through the next three chapters quickly. I’m going to summarize chapter 49 and then we will look at the fall of Babylon in chapters 50-51. These chapters show the sovereignty of God over the nations. As we read these chapters we can see that God, not Babylon is the One who is in control.

Chapter 49 continues prophetic words for various nations.

God’s judgment on the Ammonites (1-6)

God’s judgment on the Edomites (7-22)

God’s judgment on Damascus, a city located in Syria (23-27)

God’s judgment on Kedar and Hazor (Arabia) (28-33)

God’s judgment on Elam (the city that would become the center of the Persian empire (34-39)

All of the places listed would experience the power of the Babylonian Empire. But the Babylonian empire would fall as well. Two chapters are devoted to its fall and that’s where we will spend our time. I’m not going to analyze every verse. I’m going to give an overview of the prophetic utterances against the nation and focus on what I believe are some important parts.

1. This prophecy against Babylon was given in the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah (51:59-64).

We start at the end of the prophecy. This was around 594 BC. What we see in these verses is interesting. It shows that while Jeremiah was prophesying that Babylon would be a victorious nation, he was also prophesying that it would fall as well. This shows that Jeremiah was not a sympathizer of Babylon as some of his enemies said.

Jeremiah has a job for Seraiah. Seraiah is Baruch’s brother (32:12). He was the quartermaster of King Zedekiah. That means he was an officer who made sure the King had safe lodging. The King was making a trip to Babylon and he went ahead to secure a safe place for him to stay.

Jeremiah wrote on a scroll what we have in Chapters 50-51. When Seraiah arrived in Babylon he was to read it aloud, tie the scroll to a rock, and throw it in the Euphrates River. This symbolized the loosing of the Word of God and the destruction of Babylon. Babylon would sink just like the rock did. Who heard him read this? We don’t know. Probably not the Babylonians. If they had, they would have probably done something to him.

God is about to show how powerful He is. This nation that destroyed so many nations was no match for the Lord.

2. Babylon will fall to Medo-Persia (50:1-10; 51:27-32).

In 539 BC the Persians along with the Medes led by King Cyrus II easily took Babylon.

Babylon’s gods are mentioned in 50:2. If anyone thought Babylon’s god’s superior to Israel the truth is now seen. Babylon had rejoiced in victories but soon the nation would be ashamed (50:11-12). God is rallying the troops against Babylon (50:14-16).

Look with me at 50:22-24. God says He set a snare for Babylon. Cyrus defeated Babylon in an interesting way. He diverted the flow of the Euphrates River. With the riverbed shallow he marched his men through the river and into the city before anyone realized what had happened. He took the city very quickly and very easily.

Look at what Babylon is called in 50:23. They are called the hammer of the whole earth. They were a feared nation who wreaked havoc on anyone who stood in their way. God easily takes them out.

The coalition of the Medes and Persians are referenced in 50:41-42. Specific nations are named in 51:27-32. The accuracies of these prophecies should be noted. God not only said Babylon would fall He also said who they would fall to. In fact, Isaiah called Cyrus by name hundreds of years before Cyrus was even born (Isa. 44:28; 45:1).

3. Babylon is punished for her treatment of Israel.

The Jews complain before the Lord about how Babylon treated them (51:34-35). Look at what they say about Nebuchadnezzar:

He devoured us

He crushed us

He made us an empty vessel

He swallowed us like a monster

He consumed our delicacies

They ask the Lord to punish Babylon. Look at how the Lord responds in verse 49:

Babylon must fall for the slain of Israel

Babylon had been the hammer of God at one time. Look at 51:20-23. He hammered other nations with them. Now it was their turn to be hammered.

Look at 51:24

I will repay Babylon for all the evil they have done in Zion.

God is Israel’s Kinsman Redeemer. We see that in 50:33-40.

What did a kinsman redeemer do?

He avenged murder. Numbers 35:21

He protected. Lev. 25:25

God will redeem His people from the Babylonians. He will restore what belongs to them. He will give rest to his people but unrest to the Babylonians.

Because of the evil committed toward the people of God by the Babylonians, Babylon is typically viewed as the worst of Israel’s enemies. In the New Testament Babylon reappears in Revelation 17-18. Some believe the nation will be rebuilt and destroyed for a final time. Others believe Babylon is symbolic of a world system that is opposed to God. The Anti-christ will use this system to attempt to deceive the world and wage war against the church and Christ. Ultimately Christ will destroy the city and all who rejoice in it.

The nation of Babylon is therefore symbolic of all that is opposed to God. From the tower of Babel in Genesis to the wicked Babylon we see in Revelation, Babylon is to be avoided. Just as she is punished for her treatment of God’s people in Jeremiah she is also punished for her treatment of God’s people in Revelation.

4. There are Messianic references in these chapters.

Look with me at 50:17-20. Verses 17-19 are a brief summary of the history of Israel.

The Assyrians destroyed the Northern Kingdom.

The Babylonians destroyed the Southern Kingdom.

God promises to restore Israel. A picture is painted of Israel dwelling in luscious pastureland. A promise is given that God’s people will be satisfied. The reason we know this is speaking of more than a simple return to the land is found in verse 20. Sin will not be present.

This means sin has been forgiven.

This means sin has been forever removed.

This happens through Christ.

Back up to 50:4-5.

“In those days” does not refer only to the return to the land under Cyrus. The return under Cyrus was a shadow of a greater return that would occur under the new covenant. Look at what the people say in verse 5:

“Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.”

This is the covenant of grace in Christ Jesus. God’s people will one day experience true repentance and true restoration.

Christ, Israel’s Kinsman Redeemer, will come to pay the price for their sins. Many Jewish people will find salvation in Christ. Those who do will remain in eternal covenant with Him.

You may wonder, “What about me? I’m not Jewish!”

Remember that God had a word to all the nations.

Look at 49:39 “In the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam.”

Look at 49:6 “But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites.”

God hasn’t left us out. All believers will enjoy eternal forgiveness and fellowship with Christ.

I want to show you something else all believers will experience. Turn with me to Revelation 18.

I’m going to read this chapter and I want you to follow with me.

How awful she is (1-3)

How ugly she is (4-8)

How deceptive she is (9-20)

How weak she is (21-24)

What will we do when we see Babylon destroyed?

Look at 19:1-5