Jer 50 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-7 The king of Babylon was kind to Jeremiah, yet the prophet must foretell the ruin of that kingdom. If our friends are God's enemies, we dare not speak peace to them. The destruction of Babylon is spoken of as done thoroughly. Here is a word for the comfort of the Jews. They shall return to their God first, then to their own land; the promise of their conversion and reformation makes way for the other promises. Their tears flow not from the sorrow of the world, as when they went into captivity, but from godly sorrow. They shall seek after the Lord as their God, and have no more to do with idols. They shall think of returning to their own country. This represents the return of poor souls to God. In true converts there are sincere desires to attain the end, and constant cares to keep in the way. Their present case is lamented as very sad. The sins of professing Christians never will excuse those who rejoice in destroying them.

‏ Jeremiah 50

* The ruin of Babylon. (1-3,8-16,21-32,35-46;) The redemption of

God's people. (4-7,17-20,33,34)

1-7 The king of Babylon was kind to Jeremiah, yet the prophet

must foretell the ruin of that kingdom. If our friends are God's

enemies, we dare not speak peace to them. The destruction of

Babylon is spoken of as done thoroughly. Here is a word for the

comfort of the Jews. They shall return to their God first, then

to their own land; the promise of their conversion and

reformation makes way for the other promises. Their tears flow

not from the sorrow of the world, as when they went into

captivity, but from godly sorrow. They shall seek after the Lord

as their God, and have no more to do with idols. They shall

think of returning to their own country. This represents the

return of poor souls to God. In true converts there are sincere

desires to attain the end, and constant cares to keep in the

way. Their present case is lamented as very sad. The sins of

professing Christians never will excuse those who rejoice in

destroying them. 8-20 The desolation that shall be brought upon Babylon is set

forth in a variety of expressions. The cause of this destruction

is the wrath of the Lord. Babylon shall be wholly desolated; for

she hath sinned against the Lord. Sin makes men a mark for the

arrows of God's judgments. The mercy promised to the Israel of

God, shall not only accompany, but arise from the destruction of

Babylon. These sheep shall be gathered from the deserts, and put

again into good pasture. All who return to God and their duty,

shall find satisfaction of soul in so doing. Deliverances out of

trouble are comforts indeed, when fruits of the forgiveness of

sin. 21-32 The forces are mustered and empowered to destroy Babylon.

Let them do what God demands, and they shall bring to pass what

he threatens. The pride of men's hearts sets God against them,

and ripens them apace for ruin. Babylon's pride must be her

ruin; she has been proud against the Holy One of Israel; who can

keep those up whom God will throw down? 33-46 It is Israel's comfort in distress, that, though they are

weak, their Redeemer is strong. This may be applied to

believers, who complain of the dominion of sin and corruption,

and of their own weakness and manifold infirmities. Their

Redeemer is able to keep what they commit to him; and sin shall

not have dominion over them. He will give them that rest which

remains for the people of God. Also here is Babylon's sin, and

their punishment. The sins are, idolatry and persecution. He

that will not save his people in their sins, never will

countenance the wickedness of his open enemies. The judgments of

God for these sins will lay them waste. In the judgments

denounced against prosperous Babylon, and the mercies promised

to afflicted Israel, we learn to choose to suffer affliction

with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of

sin for a season.