Jeremiah

Jeremiah 50:14-16

God uses nations as instruments of justice to repay oppressive powers for their rebellion against Him.

Jeremiah 50:14-16 (WEB)

14 Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her. Spare no arrows; for she has sinned against Yahweh.

15 Shout against her all around. She has submitted herself. Her bulwarks have fallen. Her walls have been thrown down, for it is the vengeance of Yahweh. Take vengeance on her. As she has done, do to her.

16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him who handles the sickle in the time of harvest. For fear of the oppressing sword, they will each return to their own people, and they will each flee to their own land.

Central Idea

God uses nations as instruments of justice to repay oppressive powers for their rebellion against Him.

Authorial Intent

To summon the attacking nations to surround Babylon and execute the LORD’s judgment upon the empire for its rebellion against Him.

Literary Context

Jeremiah 50:14–16 intensifies the oracle against Babylon by depicting the coming military assault. After exposing Babylon’s arrogance and predicting its humiliation, the prophet now calls surrounding nations to participate in the empire’s defeat.

Chapter: Jeremiah 50

Babylon Judged: The Fall of the Hammer and the Return of the LORD’s Flock

The LORD breaks Babylon, the proud hammer of the whole earth, so that his scattered flock may return, seek him, and be restored under his everlasting covenant mercy.