Why is God judging the Babylonians?

 Jeremiah 50:9-16

What if you had the office of President of The United States or were the president’s military advisor and a man who you respected as God’s spokesperson came with this message.  “For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a gathering of great nations, from the North Country. And they shall array themselves against her. From there she shall be taken. Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed. Chaldea shall be plundered; all who plunder her shall be sated, declares the Lord.”

Yes, you would need to change a few names and places, but there are many similarities, the USA like Babylon is very powerful nation, both had a good standard of living and both seemed to have enemies that will be used by God in their judgment.  And do not forget that God used both nations for His purpose.

So why is God judging the Babylonians?  Because they took such joy in destroying Israel and that is what is meant by His inheritance.  God compares them to a young cow that is on the threshing floor eating whatever it wants.  The city of Babylon is referred to as the mother and she turned so many other cities into piles of waste, and now that is going to be her fate.

As we look into verses 14-15, we see these nations from the North lining up for battle and what has happened to mighty Babylon, this nation used by God to bring Judah and Israel and many other nations into judgment?  What has to happen, one could speculate, did she change the game plan by using social programs and allow women into her military to share the battle with the men?  Did she have a no tell no share attitude or did she say it matters not your sexual perversion we welcome one and all.  Did she have a leader that has disdain for the military and took away its resources?  We do not have the answer to any of those questions, but it is clear that God removes His Hand and none of those other items listed above matter, when you as a person or nation lose the favor of our great and mighty God.  And mighty Babylon has their hands up in surrender, and she will experience the consequences of her sin.

Verse sixteen tells us that those in the villages and the rural areas of Babylon will suffer the assault and death and destruction long before the city of Babylon.  How often it seems that some politician brings pain and suffering on those who are working to feed a family by their desire for more control and power, much like what happens with our health care.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice