Jeremiah 50:11-16·~1 min
Babylon’s Fall Is Certain
Babylon, which once exulted over devouring the LORD's people, is compared to a pampered heifer and a snorting stallion, but its mother city will be deeply ashamed. Because of the LORD's anger it becomes a dry wilderness, provoking astonishment in passersby. The attackers are summoned to draw up around her, shoot without restraint, and raise the battle shout when her defenses collapse, paying her back according to all she has done. The sword drives both farmers and mercenaries away to their own lands.
“11Because you rejoice, 12your mother will be greatly ashamed; 13Because of the wrath of the LORD, 14Line up in formation around Babylon, 15Raise a war cry against her on every side! 16Cut off the sower from Babylon,
Section summaryBabylon is condemned for rejoicing over the LORD's inheritance and growing fat, sleek, and noisy in triumph. Her mother city will be ashamed, reduced to the least among nations, a wilderness and desert because of the LORD's wrath. Those who attack her are told to line up on every side, spare no arrows, and repay her as she has done, because she has sinned against the LORD. Agriculture, warfare, and civic life alike collapse so thoroughly that foreigners hurry home from the sword.
Role in the chapterThis section explains why Babylon must fall: proud exultation over Judah's ruin has become open offense against the LORD Himself.