Are some people getting away with Sin?

 Read Jeremiah 51.

God's judgment against Babylon required two chapters.  In chapter 50, there are details of an invasion from the north to totally destroy the land.  It became obvious that many of the statements refer to a distant future punishment.  Here, in chapter 51, more detail is provided about the immediate invasion.

Though their destruction will be at the hands of another nation, God takes full credit.  "I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon." (v.1)  In the first fall of Babylon, God used the Medes along with the Persians (v.11a).  The Babylonians had been His instrument to mete out His punishment against others.  But the long-suffering patience of the LORD had come to an end.  "The land of the Chaldeans is full of guilt." (v.5b)   It is not only their personal sin that was "full" according to God, but He had not forgotten their desecration of His Temple in Jerusalem (v.11b)   "This is the time of the LORD's vengeance, the repayment he is rendering to her." (v.6)

What about Israel and Judah?  Had God forgotten them?  Will they be caught in the cross-fire of Babylon's collapse?  There were days when the Jews felt forsaken.  To the contrary, God said, "For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the LORD of hosts." (v.5a)  In fact, when Cyrus, King of Persian, took over, he offered to let the Jews return to their homeland and even paid for the rebuilding of the Temple (2 Chronicles 36:22-23).

God always takes care of His own in the midst of dealing with sin and delivers them.  God sees every sin and every injustice.  In His time, He will carry out His justice.  Though for the present it may appear that the guilty are unchecked, we need only to wait on God's timing.  No one gets away with sin.

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine.  I will repay, says the Lord.'" (Romans 12:19)

 

Time and the promises of God

 Read Jeremiah 50.

Now, God turned His attention to Babylon.  This is the empire that He used to punish other nations, but their judgment is coming.  Their sin of pride and false worship will reach an end of God's patience with them.  In addition, the LORD will take vengeance for what the Babylonians did to His holy Temple in Jerusalem (v.28).

At first glance, it would be a quick assumption to conclude that this is referring to the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C.  However, on closer reading, a half dozen statements will not match that invasion.  For instance, at that time Babylon was not totally destroyed but occupied in order to control their empire from India to Africa.  Therefore, the LORD has something more in mind.

Yes, there was a partial return of the exiles of Judah under Cyrus.  But, the regathering of a united Israel and Judah in the land of promise for the intent of worshiping God forever has yet to happen (vv.4-5).

In Revelation 17-18, reveals that there is a future Babylon to be built.  It will fall being totally destroyed near the end of the Great Tribulation.  Note that Revelation 18:2 states, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!"  Twice fallen.  It fell once, but there is a greater fall coming.

Time and years are counted here on earth.  God lives in eternity.  Though more than 2500 years have passed on earth, God's word concerning Babylon is as valid as if He had pronounced it five minutes ago.  The same is true for all the promises of God to us.  If it is the word of God, you can stake your eternity on it.

"For all the promises of God find Yes in him.  That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.  And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 1:20-22)

 

Learning our lessons from History

 Read Jeremiah 49.

God continued His pronouncements of judgments on the surrounding Gentile nations.  Five are mentioned in this one chapter. 

Ammon
Like Moab, the Ammonites were descendants of Lot through incest with his other daughter.  When Judah went into exile, the Ammonites decided to move into the deserted territories.  They felt safe, secure and untouchable.  Their pride-filled question was "Who will come against me?"  The answer came quickly from the LORD, "I will." (vv.4-5)

Edom
The condemnation of Edom parallels the message of Obadiah.  Teman was known for its wise men.  In Job 2:11, Eliphaz was a Temanite who tried to bring counsel to Job.  God's question for Edom in verse 7 was "Is there no more wisdom in Teman?"  They had not only sinned against the LORD but they had committed a great wrong against their national brother, Israel.  Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob.  Most of these judgments end with a promise of future restoration for that nation. Edom is an exception.  Once their punishment came, they no longer existed as a people group.

Damascus
This is a prophecy against Syria.  God used the Babylonians to fulfill this judgment.  The mention of Ben-hadad refers to the rulers of Syria in the ninth and eighth centuries B.C. (Charles Dyer, Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Kedar and Hazor
The LORD also used Nebuchadnezzar to take care of the sin of the desert tribes mentioned here.  They were nomads.  Being mobile meant they had no city gates or doors to lock.  So, they felt safe and secure in their remote locations. (v.31)  But God warned, "I will bring their calamity from every side of them." (v.32)  There is no future for the people of Hazor as it will be "an everlasting waste." (v.33)

Elam
The area of Elam is modern day Iran.  Elam was well-known for its archers and here God promised to "break the bow of Elam." (v.35)  While destruction surely came upon them historically, it is interesting to note that the LORD promised "I will set my throne in Elam." (v.38).  That coupled with the promise of restoration points to His future reign on earth.

Wise people learn from history so as to avoid the same mistakes.  The writer of Hebrews put it this way:
"For we have come to share Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.  As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." (Hebrews 3:14-15)

Is God's judgment a sure Thing?

 Read Jeremiah 48. 

All sin grieves the heart of God.  In the days of Noah, sin was so rampant "the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart." (Genesis 6:6)  The Apostle Paul warned, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30).  When sin reaches a certain point without repentance, God will act.  It pained God to bring judgment on Moab.  "I wail for Moab; I cry out for all Moab." (v.31) 

Moab was the son of Lot, whom he fathered through incest.  His descendants lived on the southeast side of the Dead Sea.  The Moabites are described in this chapter as being prosperous and self-sufficient.  Nothing seemed to be a bother to them until now. 

An enemy will come upon them like a fast, swooping eagle (v.40).  The reaction by the soldiers of Moab will be like a woman with labor pains (v.42).  In the totality of the devastation, their national identity will be lost.  God called this judgment His doing and even promised to curse anyone who held back during the battle in punishing Moab (v.10). 

As people flee for their lives, those they pass will ask "What has happened?" (v.19)  Others may ask why this happened.  God is very clear as to the answer. 

1. "Because you trusted in your works and your treasures." v.7

They worked hard and watched their incomes go up.  Being financially independent can result in a wrong sense of self-sufficiency.  Independence often leads a person to claim no need of God.  The LORD loves those who live day by day with total dependence on Him. 

2. "Because he magnified himself against the LORD." v.26 and v.35

Every life has a spiritual vacuum.  If one does not turn to the one true and living God, they will endeavor to fill that emptiness with false beliefs.  The Moabites made up their own gods and worshiped them with sacrifices and offerings.  The LORD will share His glory with no one or nothing else.  He demands exclusive worship. 

3. "Because he magnified himself against the LORD." v.42

This charge against Moab is repeated for emphasis.  Once a person thinks they have no need of God, and then make up their own worship, they will become defiant against the LORD and His word.  They will rail against the truth and be accepting of any alternative. 

A basic take away from reading the Scriptures is who God is, why and how He acts.  The destruction of Moab and these other nations (exactly as predicted) are facts of history.  The consistent message of God's love and patience is for people to respond in faith and obedience before it is too late.

 

A time to unsheathe the Sword

 Read Jeremiah 47.

"For I the LORD do not change."  (Malachi 3:6)  A foundational understanding of the God of the Bible is that His character is, has always been, and forever will be the same.  1 John 4:8 states: "God is love."  Exodus 15:3 declares: "The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name."  This not a contradiction or a change but a complete picture of His nature.  He hates sin and will bring justice.  In His love, He provides every opportunity for people to respond to His grace.

God's judgment against the surrounding Gentile nations turned to the Philistines.  These were a coastal people who had migrated from Crete.  Throughout most of the Old Testament the Philistines were a consistent enemy of Israel.  The battle scene of the Babylonians coming in from the north is described as a rushing flood of water overtaking them faster than they can run from it.  Though it outwardly appeared to be nation against nation, verses 6 and 7 refers to it as the "sword of the LORD."

A sword is a personal offensive weapon.  When, in the timing of God, He has had enough of a nation’s sin, the LORD inflicts His judgment, using a powerful enemy nation, pestilence, or withholding needed resources.  God's "sword" of justice comes at His command.  As He spoke creation into existence by the power of His word (Hebrews 11:3), so He metes out His justice by command.  This is true from Genesis to Revelation.  Direct references are made to the sword of the LORD no less than 29 times in 16 books of the Bible.  Here are few examples:

The first mention is in Genesis 3:24, God positioned His sword in judgment to guard the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned.

Balaam saw that sword in the hand of the angel of the LORD; a preincarnate appearance of Christ. (Numbers 22:31)

Joshua saw the angel of the LORD with that sword in Joshua 5:13, as he prepared to inflict God's judgment on Jericho.

God commanded Gideon to defeat the Midianites and in doing so shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" (Judges 7:20)

When David sinned, it was the sword of the LORD that responded in the death of thousands. (1 Chronicles 21:12-30)

In Ephesians 6:17, the Apostle Paul explained "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  This is piece of the spiritual equipment every believer is to put on and the only offensive weapon issued to us.

As Jesus is revealed in Revelation 1:16, the words coming from His mouth are described as a two-edged sword.  And, in 19:15 at the return of Jesus to earth, that commanding word of God will strike down all the nations that have opposed Him.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account." (Hebrews 4:12-13)

 

3 promises in an awful Time

 Read Jeremiah 46.

From chapter 46 to chapter 51, God addressed the surrounding nations.  He began with Egypt.

The Egyptians seemingly worshiped anything but the true and living LORD.  Spiritually, they tried everything and nothing worked.  Even the famous balm of Gilead could not help them.  "In vain you have used many medicines; there is no healing for you." (v.11b)  Their sin had reached full measure (v.12) and now God was poised with their earthly punishment.

The battle described here took place in 605 B.C. and is confirmed by Babylon's own historical records.  In their pride, the Egyptians marched all the way to the Euphrates River.  But when they arrived, the Babylonian army overwhelmed them.  The Egyptians fled but none escaped. 

God took full credit for the defeat.  "Why are your mighty ones face down?  They do not stand because the LORD thrust them down." (v.15)  In fact, He called this His day of vengeance on the Egyptians as His enemies (v.10).  The land of Egypt fell to the control of the Babylonian Empire.

Then, in the closing verses the LORD turned to address His chosen people.  During this awful time of war and exile, twice He encouraged them with the words "fear not."  Were they not experiencing His discipline?  Yes.  But, reassurances came through His promises.
"I will save you..."
"I am with you."
"I will by no means leave you..."

Compare those statements with some well-known verses in the New Testament.  These are the exact same promises the Lord Jesus has given to those who turn to Him.  “…for he said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’  So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5)

 

A hope that does not Change

 Read Jeremiah 45.

How would you respond if you knew your dreams would never come true?  Would you still trust the LORD?  Dr. Crawford Loritts asked such haunting questions in a Sunday morning sermon. 

According to the details found in chapter 36, God gave direct messages to Jeremiah.  Then, Jeremiah's assistant, Baruch, took dictation to record what God said.  Repeatedly, listening to and writing down words of impending judgment became a burdensome task.  Even more, Baruch personally experienced the loss of everything.  He watched as God's word came true.

"What about me?"  He faithfully served God and Jeremiah.  And, now what did he have to show for it.  The emotional and spiritual pain caused him to "find no rest."

If our hope is in the circumstances of our lives going well, we will live in disappointment and disillusionment.  People will let us down.  Money will be spent.  All things will eventually change.  And, at best, this life is only temporal.  When the world around us is falling apart, we must have a hope that does not change and may be found eternally trustworthy.

God reminded Baruch that He is sovereign.  The world is His creation and He can do as pleases Him.  He has a plan and He is working that plan.  Through it all, including the war, Baruch's temporal reward will be the sparing of his life.  This was meant to encourage this faithful man and bring him joy in midst of adversity.

Looking down will always be depressing.  Looking up to see life from God's perspective revives our faith.