Jeremiah 49:34-50:46
Dear RTB’ers,
Today, a brief prophecy against Elam, then a long oracle against Babylon, to be continued tomorrow. Mixed in the oracle against Babylon we see a number of references to Israel and Judah, mostly concerning their return from exile in Babylon. (Jer. 50:4-8, 17, 19-20, 28, 33-34) One of those early verses caught my attention: My people have been lost sheep.… All who found them have devoured them, and their enemies have said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD…’ (vv. 6a, 7a) Essentially the devouring nations are claiming that Israel and Judah deserved what they got because they sinned against the Lord. Truly, “the pot calling the kettle black”!
According to my Study Bible, this prophecy against Babylon came to pass when they were conquered by Persia in 539 BC. Recall that Babylon had destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, so their time of power was relatively short by Old Testament standards.
More judgment on Babylon tomorrow.
Blessings.
See also: July 21 (2023) / Jeremiah 50-51.