"Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, 'Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.' Announce and declare to the nations;This phrase emphasizes the importance of making a public proclamation. In the context of ancient Israel, prophets often served as God's messengers, delivering His word not only to Israel but to surrounding nations. The call to announce to the nations signifies the universal scope of God's sovereignty and judgment. This mirrors the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus instructs His followers to make disciples of all nations. lift up a banner and proclaim it;
Banners were used in ancient times as signals or standards in battle, representing a call to gather or a declaration of victory. Here, lifting a banner symbolizes a clear and visible declaration of God's message. This imagery is also seen in Isaiah 11:12, where a banner is raised for the nations, indicating a gathering of God's people. hold nothing back when you say,
The instruction to hold nothing back underscores the urgency and completeness of the message. Prophets were often tasked with delivering difficult truths, and this phrase emphasizes the need for full disclosure of God's impending judgment. This reflects the prophetic responsibility seen in Ezekiel 3:17-19, where the prophet is warned to deliver God's message fully. ‘Babylon is captured;
Babylon, a dominant empire known for its wealth and power, is prophesied to fall. This prophecy is significant as Babylon was seen as a symbol of human pride and opposition to God. The fall of Babylon is a recurring theme in Scripture, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly powers opposed to God, as seen in Revelation 18. Bel is put to shame;
Bel, also known as Baal, was a major deity in Babylonian religion. The shaming of Bel signifies the impotence of false gods before the true God of Israel. This echoes the narrative of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18, where the powerlessness of Baal is exposed. Marduk is shattered,
Marduk was the chief god of Babylon, often associated with creation and order. The shattering of Marduk represents the dismantling of Babylon's religious and cultural identity. This act of divine judgment highlights the futility of idolatry, as seen in Isaiah 46:1-2, where Babylonian gods are depicted as burdensome idols. her images are disgraced,
The disgrace of Babylon's images points to the humiliation of its religious symbols. In ancient cultures, the destruction or desecration of idols was a powerful statement against the gods they represented. This is reminiscent of the account in 1 Samuel 5, where the idol Dagon falls before the Ark of the Covenant. her idols are broken in pieces.’
The breaking of idols signifies the complete overthrow of Babylon's spiritual and political power. This act of divine judgment serves as a reminder of the first commandment in Exodus 20:3-4, which prohibits idolatry. It also foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers, as depicted in Daniel 2:44. Persons / Places / Events 1. BabylonA significant empire in biblical history, known for its power and influence. In this context, it represents a symbol of pride and opposition to God. 2. BelA title for the Babylonian god Marduk, considered the chief deity of Babylon. His name means "lord" and he was associated with creation and order. 3. MardukThe chief god of Babylon, often associated with judgment and kingship. His defeat symbolizes the fall of Babylon's power and false religion. 4. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah and the surrounding nations, including the prophecy of Babylon's fall. 5. NationsRefers to the surrounding peoples and kingdoms who are to hear the proclamation of Babylon's downfall. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod is in control of all nations and their destinies. No empire, regardless of its power, can stand against His will. The Futility of IdolatryThe defeat of Babylon's gods illustrates the impotence of idols. Trust should be placed in the living God, not in man-made images. The Certainty of God's JudgmentGod's judgment is sure and will come to pass. This should encourage believers to live righteously and warn others of the coming judgment. Proclaiming God's Truth BoldlyJust as Jeremiah was instructed to announce Babylon's fall, believers are called to proclaim God's truth without fear or concealment. Hope in God's DeliveranceThe fall of Babylon signifies the deliverance of God's people. Believers can have hope in God's promise to rescue and restore. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the prophecy of Babylon's fall in Jeremiah 50:2 demonstrate God's sovereignty over human history? 2. In what ways can modern believers be tempted to trust in "idols" similar to Bel and Marduk, and how can we guard against this? 3. How does the fall of Babylon serve as a warning to nations and individuals who oppose God today? 4. What are some practical ways we can boldly proclaim God's truth in our current cultural context, as Jeremiah was instructed to do? 5. How does the assurance of God's ultimate victory over evil, as seen in the fall of Babylon, provide hope and encouragement in your personal life? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 13 and 14These chapters also prophesy the fall of Babylon, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to humble the proud. Revelation 18Describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly systems opposed to God. Daniel 5The account of Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall, which foretold the imminent fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians. People Babylonians, Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, NebuchadrezzarPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Bashan, Carmel, Chaldea, Gilead, Gomorrah, Jordan River, Merathaim, Pekod, Sodom, ZionTopics Announce, Babylon, Banner, Bel, Broken, Captured, Conceal, Confounded, Declare, Disappointed, Dismayed, Ensign, Filled, Flag, Gods, Grievous, Hide, Idols, Images, Lift, Lifted, Marduk, Merodach, Mer'odach, Nations, Nothing, Pieces, Proclaim, Public, Publish, Shame, Shattered, Standard, TerrorDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 50:2 5223 banner
8747 false gods
8799 polytheism Jeremiah 50:1-2 5211 art
8739 evil, examples of Jeremiah 50:1-10 4215 Babylon Library The Kinsman-Redeemer
'Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of Hosts is His name: He shall thoroughly plead their cause.'--JER. l. 34. Among the remarkable provisions of the Mosaic law there were some very peculiar ones affecting the next-of-kin. The nearest living blood relation to a man had certain obligations and offices to discharge, under certain contingencies, in respect of which he received a special name; which is sometimes translated in the Old Testament 'Redeemer,' and sometimes 'Avenger' of blood. What the etymological …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureCovenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord and said. Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou--wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray they, out of thy book which than hast written." In the preceding discourse we endeavored to show that the idea of being willing to be damned for the glory of God is not found in the text--that the sentiment is erroneous and absurd--then adduced the constructions which have been put on the text by sundry expositors, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible "If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down.
[Sidenote: 1129] 19. (12). Meanwhile[365] it happened that Archbishop Cellach[366] fell sick: he it was who ordained Malachy deacon, presbyter and bishop: and knowing that he was dying he made a sort of testament[367] to the effect that Malachy ought to succeed him,[368] because none seemed worthier to be bishop of the first see. This he gave in charge to those who were present, this he commanded to the absent, this to the two kings of Munster[369] and to the magnates of the land he specially enjoined …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24), …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Saved by Grace;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE GRACE OF GOD: SHOWING-- I. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED. II. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED BY GRACE. III. WHO THEY AEE THAT ABE SAVED BY GRACE. IV. HOW IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE SAVED BY GRACE. V. WHAT SHOULD BE THE REASON THAT GOD SHOULD CHOOSE TO SAVE SINNERS BY GRACE RATHER THAN BY ANY OTHER MEANS. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS admirable Treatise upon the most important of all subjects, that of the soul's salvation, was first published in a pocket volume, in the year 1675. This has …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 50:2 NIVJeremiah 50:2 NLTJeremiah 50:2 ESVJeremiah 50:2 NASBJeremiah 50:2 KJV
Jeremiah 50:2 Commentaries
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