Jeremiah 51:6-10

C. An Exhortation to Israel Jeremiah 51:6-10

TRANSLATION

(6) Flee from the midst of Babylon! Let everyone save his life! Perish not because of her guilt! For it is the time of the vengeance of the LORD; He will render to her a recompense. (7) Babylon was a golden cup in the hand of the LORD, making all the earth drunken. The nations drank from its wine; therefore, nations went mad. (8) Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken. Wail concerning her! Take balm for her pain; perhaps she may be cured. (9) We would have healed Babylon, but she would not be healed. Forsake her and let us go each to his own land. For her judgment reaches unto heaven, and is lifted up even unto the skies. (10) The LORD has brought forth our vindication. Come! Let us recount in Zion the work of the LORD our God.

COMMENTS

The description of the destruction of Babylon is briefly interrupted by words of exhortation directed to Israel. As God begins the judgment of Babylon the chosen remnant is exhorted to flee out of the midst of the city. The idea is that the people of God must not allow themselves to become embroiled in the defense of Babylon and possibly loose their lives in that futile effort. Babylon's destruction is an act of divine vengeance; the city is doomed to destruction (Jeremiah 51:6). Beautiful Babylon with her achievements, wealth and power, was like a golden vessel in the hand of the Lord. Many nations drank the wine of God's wrath from that golden vessel and became as helpless and pitiable as an intoxicated man (Jeremiah 51:7). But now Babylon has served her purpose in the plan of the Almighty; she has acted out her role upon the stage of human history. The Lord will now smash Babylon as a man smashes a vessel which is no longer useful and no longer pleases him (Jeremiah 51:7).

Turning to sympathetic bystanders the prophet calls for lamentation over the fall of Babylon. Those addressed are foreigners who, whether by choice or force, have been resident in Babylon, and who therefore have an interest in the fate of that city. These are now summoned to heal Babylon, because they are now servants of the Great King and are thus obligated to render assistance to him (Jeremiah 51:8). Those who are addressed do not refuse to render the service, but their efforts are in vain. These captives nations affirm that they have honestly done what they could to prevent the destruction of Babylon and restore her to her former glory. But since their attempts have proved vain these captives think now only of their own safety: Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life. Perhaps there is an allusion to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah in the phrase her judgment (or punishment) reaches unto the heavens (Jeremiah 51:9). The Jewish captives in Babylon rush home to Zion to declare there what God has done to Babylon. The Lord has brought forth our righteousness, they sing. The avenging hand of God had vindicated His people. The idolatry of Israel has been sufficiently punished and God's people are again to be accounted as righteous (Jeremiah 51:10).