King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Chapters: Jeremiah 49-50
Message: Jeremiah: God Will Judge Babylon
Hello My Friend,
As I was praying I was reminded of this by Jesus, [Luke 12:29-34 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.]
I never thought of it like this before, but how often do we seek things from God with a doubtful mind? I will admit that I have never been good with words and some days I can barely think straight let alone talk to God and make sense of what I am saying. Then is occurred to me or I should say, the Holy Spirit pointed it out to me, that God knows what is in my heart and sometimes I am doubtful, but the important thing to remember is that He can read between the lines. Are you not glad that God knows our hearts and needs well before we ask Him for anything? Perhaps that is why we get more than we deserve or even ask for, [Ezra 9:13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;]
As we continue in the reading of Jeremiah we learn that as soon as pride rises to the top here comes the fall, [Proverbs 16:17-20 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.]
Humility goes a long way with God especially if we have not been happy in our walk with Him and get caught up in something that we never intended and come to Him in repentance. When God placed His judgments on Israel and drove most of them out of the country, He did not intend for them to be gone permanently. They still owned the land, God just could not stand to see them destroy the nation with their abominations which by the way were worse than the heathens they got rid of. It was not only Israel that He was sending judgment on, it was all the nations who dealt with Israel as well. God, had already foretold the judgment of Egypt, Philistine, and Moab, and not comes the rest. First, Ammon, after Samaria was invaded by the Assyria, Ammon had taken Gilead for themselves, which had belonged to the tribe of Gad.
[Jeremiah 49:1-2,4-6 Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities? 2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD. 4 Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? 5 Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth. 6 And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.]
God, was being sarcastic, asking them why they are possessing the land as if there none of the tribes of Israel left, which was how their inheritance worked. God, had allowed the tribes of Manasseh, Reuben, and Gad, to live in the land of Gilead, but after Samaria was invaded by Assyria, the tribes were taken into captivity and scattered all over the world. Ammon, took it upon themselves to take over it and prided themselves on that. This is what God was angry at and has a great deal of anger toward those who gloat over ones calamities, even if they are being judged by Him, [Proverbs 24:17-18 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.]
I was listening to a commercial for the Coalition of Christians and Jews and they said that it is our obligation to support the Jews because they are God’s children. Now, I am not against supporting Israel because blessed is the nation that does, but they are misleading people. They are not all God’s children, the Jews are the people that God chose to make His name known to the world, [Isaiah 41:8-9 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. 9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.]
Unfortunately, Israel, was not the best example as they had become more corrupt than the world, but the day will come when they will finally come to Christ as well as many other nations. Next comes the judgment of Edom, also known as descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother.
[Jeremiah 49:7-8,11-13 Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished? 8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him. 11 Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me. 12 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it. 13 For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.]
Teman, was the grandson of Edom (Esau) who was quite wise and taught as were his descendants and even though Esau’s descendants were not faithful to God Esau did at one point have respect for Jacob after they reconciled. However, God is addressing their lack of wisdom as they seemed to have lost their common sense and forsaking Him for their idols. We all have a cup that we must bear in our lifetime, something that would bring us to the point that only God can see us through. That cup is not the same for each of us, and let me tell you, it will bring us much sorrow, but it is something that by the strength of Christ and our faith we will endure, [Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.]
Even the fact that Israel had been chosen as God’s people did not give them exemption and deliverance from God’s punishment if they took part in the idolatry. Edom, gloated over God’s judgment of Israel, and that would bring them to their own destruction.
[Jeremiah 49:14-18 I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle. 15 For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men. 16 Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD. 17 Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof. 18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.]
What was so terrible that Edom did? They thought that they were untouchable. Perhaps they thought that since they had nothing to do with God that He would not judge them? Perhaps they thought that they were high enough that no one could touch them? Nevertheless, they were going to be brought down because of their pride.
[Jeremiah 49:20-22 Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them. 21 The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea. 22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.]
Never underestimate how fast God can bring someone down off their pride. Edom, was not unknown to the ways of God, they were just as prosperous as Israel was, but refused to make Him their God. Pride, will keep anyone from making wise decisions, and cares less about the consequences. Now, comes the judgment of Damascus.
[Jeremiah 49:23-26 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. 24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. 25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy! 26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.]
Damascus, was known as the city of joy, priding themselves of all their carnal joys, but now it is filled with sorrow. Instead of leaving they remained there during the siege and are now afraid to make a move. As much as salvation is free by the grace of God through our faith in Christ alone there is a time to work after we are saved. Serving God is what keeps us accountable, faithful, and from becoming slothful. This is the way that Kedar was and now they too were being judged, along with Hazor.
[Jeremiah 49:28-32 Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east. 29 Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side. 30 Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you. 31 Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone. 32 And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD.]
The people of Kedar dwelt in the deserts of Arabia, they were shepherds, had no treasures or money, but a lot of land, flocks, and camels and prided themselves of their substance. Those who are saved and on our way to heaven are not to dwell here carelessly, our independence of care is to trust in the love and sufficiency of God. Yes, we need money, food, and water to live, but God knows what we have need of, [Matthew 6:30-32 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.]
Hazor, was the metropolis of the country, whose king had several petty kings and kingdoms under him. and prided themselves on their wealth and prosperity. They thought they were untouchable in the wilderness since no one would venture to follow them into the treacherous dessert. This is actually the thought of arrogant Christians who think that their salvation saves them from the consequences of their sin, [James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.]
No unrepentant sin goes without consequence, we may not face hell for our sin, but we will face a lot of suffering if we take our salvation for granted. And now we come to Elam, [Jeremiah 49:35-39 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. 36 And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. 37 For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them: 38 And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD. 39 But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.]
Elam, acted against Israel by helping Nebuchadnezzar when he invaded Judah, hence the reason for its punishment. They were proud of their weapons and abilities, but now they would be useless and defenseless while God sent judgment on them. While God did use Nebuchadnezzar to judge Israel, unlike Edom, it shall not be for ever, and that did not mean that Babylon would escape judgment, they too would after Judah’s captivity ended. In fact, God goes on to give Babylon their judgment as well. And what was the reason? The false gods and idols they worshiped.
[Jeremiah 50:2-4,6 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces. 3 For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast. 4 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. 6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.]
While Babylon is being judged, Judah, will come to their senses and seek God. Many of them did take the dangerous trip back to Israel after their captivity ended, but unfortunately the majority of them stated behind and ended being in the crossfire of their judgment, [Nehemiah 7:66-67 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, 67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.]
Babylon, had been glorying in the fact that God used them to fulfill the judgment on Judah, especially since they could care less about God. God, may use heathens to get His people to repent, but when He has fulfilled His purpose, they too will be judged, unless they too repent. God goes on to explain why He will judge Babylon.
[Jeremiah 50:11-14 Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; 12 Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. 13 Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues. 14 Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.]
The Persians and Medes, were under Cyrus, and would be the first to overthrow Babylon shortly after Nebuchadnezzar died. The tears that Israel would shed would not be over their leaving Babylon, but their coming to God in Godly sorrow. Once we realize how sinful we are through Godly sorrow that is when we know we need Christ to save us, [2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.]
God, commands His people to get out of the world, and go forward toward the land that He has given them, cheerfully with Christ leading the way. We are not like the goats in the sense that we are full of pride, but cheerfully, without fear, boldly and confidently, and encourage others to follow them as the goats do. What God really sees His people as are sheep scattered all over the world. God, goes on to describe Israel as sheep.
[Jeremiah 50:17-20 Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones. 18 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria. 19 And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead. 20 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.]
This is what Christ does the second we accept Him as our Saviour, every sin is removed and will never be found. Those who are too proud to receive Him will face a profound judgment that even Satan is trying to escape, but there will be no escape. God, goes on to tell them to get ready for Babylon’s destruction.
[Jeremiah 50:26,28-29,31-32 Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left. 28 The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple. 29 Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel. 31 Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. 32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.]
The most proud are those with the likes of Satan, in other words, they are reprobates, who will never see salvation because they too arrogant and pompous to humble themselves to admit they are sinners and need Christ. It was important for all to know this, not just the Babylonians, but everyone who resided there as the entire nation would be destroyed. However, while Babylon is being destroyed Israel will be restored.
[Jeremiah 50:33-36,40 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go. 34 Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. 35 A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men. 36 A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. 40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.]
How amazing is it that Jesus stands in front of us, just like a shield, before His Father and pleads for us to be pardoned of the judgment we face for our sins? Our Shepherd, the one laid down His own life for all who believe in Him. He only redeems those whom believe in and receive Him as their Saviour, therefore, He is their Redeemer, and their Redeemer is strong. He is so strong that He grabs onto their souls, ad holdd each one of them tightly, and no one can pluck them out of His hand, [John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.]
Babylon was a noble city yet it would be completely destroyed, the fate of this proud city is a proof of the truth of the Bible, and a foreshadow of the approaching ruin of New Testament Babylon. As God continues He points out just how fearful the king will be when this comes to pass, [Jeremiah 50:43-46 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail. 44 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? 45 Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them. 46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.]
The judgments of God for these sins will lay them waste. In the judgments denounced against prosperous Babylon, and the mercies promised to afflicted Israel, we learn to choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, [1 Peter 3:15-18 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for making me one of Yours when I put my faith and trust in Your Son as my Saviour. I am not one of Yours because of the family You sent me here through, or for anything that I have done. I am Yours because I asked Your Son to save me by my faith in Him, and then You gave life to my soul by placing Your Spirit into it. We truly are like sheep, prone to wander and get into trouble if we do not stay close to You. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your mercy, grace, forgiveness, help me become a reflection of Your Son so that others can find Him and become theirs as well. I love You, Lord and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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