Reading: Jeremiah 51-52
So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon. And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words; Then shalt thou say, O Lord, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever. And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah (Jer. 51:60-64).
God is not the author of evil, but He can and does use existing evil to further His plan. The Lord hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil (Prov. 16:4). God knows all the choices that we will make in our lives before we even draw our first breath, but He still allows us to live to make them. He then weaves it all, the good and the bad, into the tapestry of His perfect plan. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).
God used worldly Babylon as a tool in His judgment, chas- tisement, and discipline of His people, but He never turned a blind eye to her sins. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered (Prov. 11:21). Although she prospered for a time, there was never any doubt that she, too, would face God’s judgment. In today’s reading, God used Jeremiah to deliver a warning to all those who dwelt in Babylon. Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He will render unto her a recompence (51:6)—an offer of grace before the unleashing of wrath.
God will always offer us a way through to Him. No matter our sins or our situation, God will never block our path and refuse to let us come to Him. Even when He knows His offer will be rebuffed, He still makes it. His grace is always there for the taking, and His wrath never comes without warning. God’s proclamation made it clear that the nation of Babylon was doomed. But through the words scribed by Jeremiah and the obedience of the quiet prince Seraiah (51:59), God provided the individuals living there enough information for them to make an informed choice.
Those who persist in evil will face judgment at a time of God’s choosing. This corrupt world is doomed, just as was Babylon, but all those who heed God’s warning and avail themselves of His grace will live.
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men (II Pet. 3:7). And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea (Rev. 21:1). He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son (Rev. 21:7).
Thought for Today: Those that choose to perpetuate worldly beliefs will be devoured by those beliefs.
Christ Revealed: As the Creator of the universe (Jer. 51:15). All things were created by Him, and for Him (Col. 1:16).
Word Studies: 51:2 fanners = strangers, destroyers; fan = scatter, disperse; 51:11 device = plan, purpose; 51:17 brutish = foolish; founder = metal caster; graven image = idol he has made; 51:25 mountain = power; 51:31 at one end = from end to end; 51:42 The sea = The flood waters of the Euphrates; 52:31 lifted up the head of = showed favor to.
Pray for Staff Justice Neil McGill Gorsuch, Rep. Don Davis (NC) • Country: Bahamas (321,834) North Atlantic Ocean • Major Language: English • Religious Freedom • 69.9% Protestant; 12% Roman Catholic; 13% Other Christian; 0.6% Other; 1.9% None; 2.6% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: God wants to be exalted through you (Ps. 46:10).
Optional Reading: Revelations 3