The Epitaph of Babylon

Jeremiah 51:49-64

If we were to title this the epitaph of Babylon, it would be on the spot, for God is calling His people back to Jerusalem.  But God is going to bring pay back to the Babylonians for what they did to His temple and Jerusalem.  Jeremiah is making it very clear that it matters not what Babylon does, it could ascend to the heavens but God is their advisor, and it matters not.  And this is the plan, and her warriors will be captured, their weapons destroyed, her princes will become drunk, along with her governors, officials, and soldiers.

As we read verses 59-64, we get a clear understanding that Babylon’s epitaph was written long before it happened.  “The word that Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah, the son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah king of Judah to Babylon, in the fourth year of his reign. Seraiah was the quartermaster. Jeremiah wrote in a book all the disaster that should come upon Babylon, all these words that are written concerning Babylon. And Jeremiah said to Seraiah: “When you come to Babylon, see that you read all these words, and say, ‘O Lord, you have said concerning this place that you will cut it off, so that nothing shall dwell in it, neither man nor beast, and it shall be desolate forever.’ When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, and say, ‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.’”

Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.  And some versions say the words of Jeremiah ended here, but it matters not for Jeremiah was only saying what God had told him to say, and it is evident God is in total charge.

It is clear to this writer that Psalm 139:16 says that our great and mighty God had seen our actions, yes, what we would choose, right or wrong before we were formed before one day happened.  “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”  Or as told in Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” 

For every life, there are two plans and two planners, but because of God’s great love, He allows us the freedom to choose.  Jesus tells us who the planners are, the old thief and his plan is to steal, kill and destroy.  The other planner is the Lord Jesus, and this is His plan, in His words; “I came that you may have life and have it abundantly.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice