Jeremiah 51:58
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: "Babylon's thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames."
This is what the LORD of Hosts says:
This phrase emphasizes the authority and sovereignty of God, often used by prophets to introduce divine pronouncements. The title "LORD of Hosts" underscores God's command over heavenly armies, indicating His power to execute judgment.

Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled:
Babylon was renowned for its formidable walls, considered impregnable. This prophecy foretells the city's downfall, symbolizing the futility of human pride and strength against God's will. Historically, Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, fulfilling this prophecy.

and her high gates consumed by fire:
The gates of Babylon were not only defensive structures but also symbols of its grandeur. The destruction by fire signifies complete devastation, a common biblical image of judgment. This echoes the fate of other cities judged by God, such as Sodom and Gomorrah.

So the labor of the people will be for nothing:
This highlights the futility of human efforts apart from God. The Babylonians' achievements and constructions, once sources of pride, are rendered meaningless. This theme is consistent with the biblical message that only what is done for God endures.

the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames:
The nations that contributed to Babylon's wealth and power will ultimately see their efforts consumed in its destruction. This reflects the biblical principle that alliances and endeavors contrary to God's purposes are ultimately in vain. It also serves as a warning to all nations about the consequences of pride and idolatry.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD of Hosts
This title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His ability to execute judgment against Babylon.

2. Babylon
A powerful empire known for its grandeur and strength, symbolized by its broad walls and high gates. Babylon represents human pride and opposition to God.

3. The Peoples and Nations
Refers to those who labor under Babylon's rule, highlighting the futility of their efforts when opposed to God's will.

4. The Broad Walls and High Gates
Symbols of Babylon's might and security, which God declares will be destroyed, demonstrating the futility of human pride and strength against divine judgment.

5. The Flames
Represent the destruction and judgment that God will bring upon Babylon, illustrating the ultimate futility of human endeavors apart from God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and empires, regardless of their power or influence. We must trust in His ultimate plan and justice.

The Futility of Human Pride
Human achievements and pride are ultimately futile when they stand in opposition to God. We should seek humility and align our efforts with God's purposes.

The Inevitability of Divine Judgment
God's judgment is certain and will come to pass. We must live in a way that honors God, knowing that He will hold all accountable.

The Importance of Aligning with God's Will
Our labor and efforts should be directed by God's will, ensuring that our work is not in vain but contributes to His kingdom.

The Call to Repentance and Faithfulness
In light of God's judgment, we are called to repent from pride and faithlessness, turning to God with sincere hearts and faithful obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the description of Babylon's fall in Jeremiah 51:58 challenge our understanding of security and strength in worldly terms?

2. In what ways can we see the futility of human efforts in our own lives, and how can we ensure our labor aligns with God's purposes?

3. How does the theme of divine judgment in Jeremiah 51:58 encourage us to live differently in our daily walk with God?

4. What parallels can we draw between the fall of Babylon and the warnings given to the church in Revelation 18?

5. How can we apply the lessons of humility and reliance on God from this passage to our personal and community life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 13
This chapter also prophesies the fall of Babylon, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring down the proud.

Revelation 18
Describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly systems opposed to God, echoing the themes of judgment and futility found in Jeremiah 51:58.

Psalm 127:1
Highlights the futility of human efforts without God's blessing, paralleling the message that the labor of the peoples and nations is in vain.
The Broad WallsS. Conway Jeremiah 51:58
People
Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, Zedekiah
Places
Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, Zion
Topics
Armies, Babylon, Babylon's, Bare, Broad, Broken, Burned, Burnt, Completely, Doorways, Exhaust, Exhausted, Fire, Flames, Folk, Fuel, Gates, Ground, Hosts, Labor, Labour, Laboured, Laid, Leveled, Nations, Nothing, Nought, Overthrown, Peoples, Razed, Says, Smoke, Themselves, Thick, Thus, Toil, Uncovered, Utterly, Vain, Vanity, Wall, Walls, Weariness, Weary, Wide, Working
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:58

     5256   city
     5323   gate
     5864   futility
     5890   insecurity

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

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