Her cities have become a desolation, a dry and arid land, a land where no one lives, where no son of man passes through. Her cities have become a desolationThis phrase refers to the cities of Babylon, which were once thriving centers of power and culture. The desolation signifies complete destruction and abandonment, fulfilling the prophecy against Babylon for its sins and idolatry. Historically, Babylon was a dominant empire, but its fall was prophesied by Jeremiah and other prophets ( Isaiah 13:19-22). The desolation serves as a warning of God's judgment against pride and rebellion. a dry and arid land
This imagery of dryness and aridity symbolizes the spiritual barrenness and judgment upon Babylon. In biblical terms, water often represents life and blessing, so the absence of it indicates a curse. The land's transformation into a desert reflects the severity of God's judgment. This can be connected to other biblical instances where God uses drought as a form of punishment (Deuteronomy 28:23-24). a land where no one lives
The phrase emphasizes the totality of Babylon's destruction. It was once a bustling metropolis, but the prophecy foretells its complete depopulation. This can be seen as a literal fulfillment of the prophecy, as Babylon eventually became uninhabited ruins. It also serves as a metaphor for spiritual death, where sin leads to separation from God, the source of life. where no son of man passes through
This expression underscores the utter desolation and abandonment of the land. "Son of man" is a term used to denote human beings, emphasizing that no one would even travel through the area. This can be seen as a fulfillment of divine judgment, as well as a type of the final judgment where those who reject God will be eternally separated from His presence. The phrase also echoes the desolation described in other prophetic books, such as Ezekiel 29:11. Persons / Places / Events 1. BabylonThe primary subject of Jeremiah 51, Babylon is depicted as a powerful empire that will face divine judgment and desolation due to its idolatry and oppression of God's people. 2. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages of judgment and hope. He warned of Babylon's impending downfall as part of God's plan. 3. The ExileThe context of this prophecy is during the Babylonian exile, a period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, which is now prophesied to face its own destruction. Teaching Points Divine Judgment is CertainJust as Babylon's cities became desolate, God's judgment on sin is inevitable. We must live in awareness of His righteousness and justice. The Consequences of Pride and IdolatryBabylon's downfall serves as a warning against pride and idolatry. We should examine our lives for anything that takes precedence over God. Hope in God's SovereigntyDespite the desolation, God's sovereignty assures us that He is in control. We can trust His plans, even when facing trials. Call to RepentanceThe desolation of Babylon is a call to repentance. We should turn from sin and seek God's forgiveness and restoration. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the desolation of Babylon in Jeremiah 51:43 reflect God's character and His response to sin? 2. In what ways can the fall of Babylon serve as a warning for modern societies and individuals? 3. How does the prophecy of Babylon's destruction in Jeremiah 51 connect with the themes of judgment and redemption found throughout the Bible? 4. What personal idols or areas of pride might God be calling you to address in light of Babylon's example? 5. How can we find hope and assurance in God's sovereignty when we witness or experience desolation in our own lives or communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 13This chapter also prophesies the fall of Babylon, emphasizing the theme of divine judgment against nations that oppose God. Revelation 18The fall of Babylon is echoed in the New Testament, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly powers opposed to God. Genesis 19The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah parallels the desolation described in Jeremiah 51:43, illustrating God's judgment on wickedness. People Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, ZedekiahPlaces Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, ZionTopics Cities, Desert, Desolate, Desolation, Drought, Dry, Dwell, Dwelleth, Dwells, Goes, Horror, Living-place, None, Object, Parched, Pass, Passes, Thereby, Towns, Travels, Unwatered, Waste, Wherein, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 51:42 4266 sea 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 51:43 NIVJeremiah 51:43 NLTJeremiah 51:43 ESVJeremiah 51:43 NASBJeremiah 51:43 KJV
Jeremiah 51:43 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
