God Speaks
The LORD Details His Judgment Against Babylon; the Fall of Jerusalem; the Fate of Its Last Kings
Verse of the Day: ‘The LORD has vindicated us; come, let us tell in Zion what the LORD our God has done.’ (Jeremiah 51:10 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 236
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Jeremiah 51-52:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Jeremiah 51
1. The LORD God has not abandoned Israel and Judah. He is still their God, even though their land is filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. He also pledges, “I will repay Babylon [Hamas] and the people of Babylonia [and any other cruel, inhumane people like Hezbollah or Iranian government] for all the wrong they have done to My people in Jerusalem.”
2. The people of Israel will yet say, “The LORD has vindicated us. Come, let us announce in Jerusalem everything the LORD our God has done.”
[Jeremiah 52 is a near reprint of 2 Kings 25.]
1. After He has disciplined His children, Father God will relent and show His great kindness to His people. He may even use ungodly people to accomplish this, such as how the king of Babylon showed favor and provided for Jehoiachin until the day of his death.
2. If people are devoted more to the instruments or regulations of their worship (traditions) than to God Himself, God will destroy them. This is meant to help them to focus on Him alone.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Jeremiah 51-52?
O Faithful and Forgiving LORD God Almighty, You have never abandoned those who put their trust in You, and You never will. Nor will You ever abandon Israel or the Jewish people. You chose us and will keep us if we will follow Your instructions. I realize that the times when I have felt abandoned occur when I have misinterpreted the situation or turned my back on You. You have recorded in the Bible many times that You will avenge all the harm or evil that has been done to Your people, whether now or later, on earth or forever in eternity. Thank You that Jesus died and rose again so that we can be forgiven and set free from the things we have done to each other. Help me and others of Your children to joyously tell other people, “The LORD has vindicated us. Come, let us announce in Jerusalem (and around the world) everything the LORD our God has done.” You are such a good Father! Please forgive me and other people for when we are being more devoted to the instruments or regulations of our worship (traditions) than we are to You Yourself, even though You have every right to destroy us for our sinful behavior. Trials, troubles, and tribulations are meant to help us to focus and depend on You alone. When we do, we bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Jeremiah 51-52? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will stand up and object whenever anyone says that the LORD God has or should abandon Israel or the Jews.
- I will pray for peace in Israel and Jerusalem at all levels of interaction.
- When disciplining a child (or a wayward adult) I will first correct their behavior and then restore them with kindness and provision.
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me focus on the LORD (Father, Son, and Spirit) and His words alone.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.