Prepare the nations for battle against her--the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the lands they rule. Prepare the nations for battle against her—This phrase indicates a divine command for the nations to assemble for war. The "her" refers to Babylon, a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. This call to battle is part of God's judgment against Babylon for its idolatry and oppression. The preparation for battle signifies the seriousness and inevitability of God's judgment. In a broader biblical context, this reflects the theme of divine retribution found throughout the prophets, where God uses nations as instruments of His justice ( Isaiah 13:4-5). the kings of the Medes,
The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who, along with the Persians, played a crucial role in the downfall of Babylon. Historically, the Medes were known for their military prowess and were part of the coalition that conquered Babylon in 539 BC. This prophecy highlights the specific involvement of the Medes, fulfilling earlier prophecies about Babylon's fall (Isaiah 13:17). The mention of the Medes underscores the accuracy of biblical prophecy and God's sovereignty over nations. their governors and all their officials,
This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the coalition against Babylon. It wasn't just the kings but also the entire administrative and military leadership that participated in the campaign. This reflects the organized and determined effort to execute God's judgment. The involvement of governors and officials indicates a well-coordinated attack, aligning with historical accounts of the Medo-Persian strategy. and all the lands they rule.
The Medes, along with the Persians, ruled over a vast empire that included many different peoples and territories. This phrase suggests that the judgment against Babylon was not just a local event but involved a wide array of nations under Medo-Persian control. It highlights the far-reaching impact of Babylon's fall and the fulfillment of God's plan on a global scale. This can be seen as a type of the ultimate judgment against all worldly powers opposed to God, as depicted in Revelation 18. Persons / Places / Events 1. NationsRefers to the various groups and kingdoms that God is summoning to execute judgment against Babylon. 2. MedesAn ancient Iranian people who, along with the Persians, played a significant role in the downfall of Babylon. 3. Kings of the MedesThe rulers of the Median Empire, who were instrumental in the conquest of Babylon. 4. Governors and OfficialsThe administrative leaders under the kings of the Medes, indicating a well-organized military campaign. 5. Lands They RuleThe territories under the control of the Medes, highlighting the extent of their influence and power. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod orchestrates the rise and fall of nations according to His divine plan. This reminds us of His ultimate control over world events. The Certainty of ProphecyThe fulfillment of prophecies concerning Babylon assures us of the reliability of God's Word. We can trust His promises and warnings. The Role of Nations in God's PlanGod uses nations, even those unaware of His purposes, to accomplish His will. This encourages us to see global events through a biblical lens. The Consequences of Pride and IdolatryBabylon's fall serves as a warning against pride and idolatry. We are called to humble ourselves and worship God alone. Preparation for Spiritual BattleJust as nations prepared for physical battle, we must prepare for spiritual battles by putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6). Bible Study Questions 1. How does the prophecy against Babylon in Jeremiah 51:28 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations? 2. In what ways can the fall of Babylon serve as a warning to modern societies? 3. How does the role of the Medes in this prophecy encourage us to trust in God's timing and methods? 4. What parallels can we draw between the fall of Babylon and the spiritual battles we face today? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Jeremiah 51:28 to our personal lives, particularly in areas of pride and reliance on worldly powers? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 13:17This passage also speaks of the Medes being stirred against Babylon, reinforcing the prophecy of Babylon's downfall. Daniel 5:28The writing on the wall during Belshazzar's feast foretells the division of Babylon and its conquest by the Medes and Persians. Revelation 18The fall of Babylon is echoed in the New Testament, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly powers opposed to God. People Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, ZedekiahPlaces Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, ZionTopics Battle, Captains, Consecrate, Countries, Deputies, Dominion, Governors, Kings, Medes, Media, Nations, Officials, Prefects, Prepare, Ready, Rule, Rulers, Sanctify, Thereof, War, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 51:28 5327 governors Jeremiah 51:27-28 5223 banner Library The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14). …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 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 51:28 NIVJeremiah 51:28 NLTJeremiah 51:28 ESVJeremiah 51:28 NASBJeremiah 51:28 KJV
Jeremiah 51:28 Commentaries
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