Jeremiah 50 – 51; Ezekiel 1:1 – 3:21; 2 Kings 24:20 – 25:3; Jeremiah 52:3-6; Jeremiah 10:17-25

One very striking theme through the written prophecies from the 6^th century BC is the sequential judgment upon nations. Fundamentally, the issue is idolatry. These nations – like us – can see the handiwork of God in creation, but choose to fashion for themselves wooden and metal gods. Instead of humbling themselves before the mighty hand of God, they bow at the feet of bulls, fish, serpents, lions and mortal men.

“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold. All who found them have devoured them, and their enemies have said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their habitation of righteousness, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’

Jeremiah 50:6-7

Another striking theme is that through it all, Yahweh shepherded the people of Judah. As Abraham’s descendants they were heirs to the promises of Canaan and the Messiah who would bless all nations. He brought them out of Egyptian bondage and gave them freedom and a homeland, planting them like a vineyard on a fertile plot of land. As such, He expected good fruit. Every step of the way, Yahweh was faithful to His covenant, Judah and His promises. Because they were not faithful to Him and the covenant, the Babylonians would be the instrument of God’s judgment.

Even so, Yahweh Elohim Shaddai was their Redeemer. He would remain faithful to His promise to bless all nations through Judah. The Lion of Judah would still come, so God took care of Judah even though he judged them for their sins.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah with them. All who took them captive have held them fast; they refuse to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:33-34

For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the LORD of hosts, but the land of the Chaldeans is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 51:5

Without understand this two-pronged thrust of prophecy and the mighty workings of God, it is easy to become confused. Many have seen these things and judged Yahweh to be arbitrary and unfair. The reality is that God is sovereign and active in the affairs of men. Paul teaches us that nations are the instruments of God’s justice…

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Romans 13:1-5

None of these nations can escape the same justice from the sovereign God. Scripture records for us the rise and fall of idolatrous nations and empires … Egypt, Assyria, Israel, Judah, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece/Macedonia, and Rome. Each was allowed by Elohim Shaddai to rise up, and each was judged when idolatry and evil scarred the pages of their chronicles.

The LORD has brought about our vindication; come, let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God. “Sharpen the arrows! Take up the shields! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose concerning Babylon is to destroy it, for that is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance for his temple.

Jeremiah 51:10-11

Truly God will not be mocked by any person or kingdom. As one sows, so shall he reap. Not forsaking Judah, God sent Ezekiel to them in Babylon. Ezekiel saw amazing visions and heard the words of the Almighty. The nation of Judah had been judged, how would the people respond? Ezekiel gives them God’s message that they are rebellious and need to return to the ways of God. It was a message of a watchman. A warning. It is the message for the ages.

Kingdoms come and kingdoms pass away. God is sovereign over it all. Whether a person lives in peace and freedom or violence and bondage, each one is answerable to God. Judah’s hope was not in Jerusalem, but in God. Our hope is not in the United States, but in Yahweh’s Messiah Jesus the Christ. No man’s hope is in any nation, but solely in the faithful Redeemer of mankind.

Let God deal with empires, for we must deal with God.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!