"Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, 'Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.' Announce and declare among the nationsThe call to "announce and declare" signifies a divine mandate to proclaim God's message with authority and clarity. The Hebrew roots for "announce" (נָגַד, nagad) and "declare" (שָׁמַע, shama) emphasize the importance of making known God's will and judgments. Historically, prophets were tasked with delivering God's messages not only to Israel but to all nations, underscoring the universal scope of God's sovereignty and the accountability of all peoples to His decrees. Lift up a banner and proclaim it
The imagery of lifting up a banner (נֵס, nes) is rich with military and ceremonial connotations. In ancient times, banners were used to signal and rally troops, symbolizing unity and purpose. Here, it represents the clear and visible proclamation of God's impending judgment on Babylon. The act of proclaiming (קָרָא, qara) further emphasizes the urgency and importance of the message, calling all to attention and action. Do not conceal it
The instruction to "not conceal" (כָּחַד, kachad) highlights the necessity of transparency and openness in delivering God's message. Concealment would imply a lack of faithfulness to God's command. This phrase serves as a reminder of the prophet's duty to speak truthfully and boldly, regardless of the potential consequences or opposition. Say, 'Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame, Marduk is shattered.'
The declaration of Babylon's capture is a prophetic announcement of divine judgment. Babylon, a symbol of pride and idolatry, is destined to fall. "Bel" and "Marduk" were chief deities of Babylon, representing the spiritual and cultural pride of the nation. Their shame and shattering signify the impotence of false gods before the true God of Israel. This serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of idolatry and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness. Her images are put to shame; her idols are dismayed
The "images" (פֶּסֶל, pesel) and "idols" (גִּלּוּל, gillul) represent the physical manifestations of Babylon's false worship. Their shame and dismay highlight the failure of these objects to provide protection or deliverance. This phrase underscores the biblical theme of the folly of idolatry and the inevitable downfall of those who place their trust in anything other than the living God. It serves as a call to repentance and a return to the worship of the one true God. Persons / Places / Events 1. BabylonA significant empire in biblical history, known for its power and influence. In this context, it represents a symbol of pride and opposition to God. 2. BelA title for the Babylonian god Marduk, considered the chief deity of Babylon. His name means "lord" and he was associated with creation and order. 3. MardukThe chief god of Babylon, often associated with judgment and kingship. His defeat symbolizes the fall of Babylon's power and false religion. 4. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah and the surrounding nations, including the prophecy of Babylon's fall. 5. NationsRefers to the surrounding peoples and kingdoms who are to hear the proclamation of Babylon's downfall. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod is in control of all nations and their destinies. No empire, regardless of its power, can stand against His will. The Futility of IdolatryThe defeat of Babylon's gods illustrates the impotence of idols. Trust should be placed in the living God, not in man-made images. The Certainty of God's JudgmentGod's judgment is sure and will come to pass. This should encourage believers to live righteously and warn others of the coming judgment. Proclaiming God's Truth BoldlyJust as Jeremiah was instructed to announce Babylon's fall, believers are called to proclaim God's truth without fear or concealment. Hope in God's DeliveranceThe fall of Babylon signifies the deliverance of God's people. Believers can have hope in God's promise to rescue and restore. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the prophecy of Babylon's fall in Jeremiah 50:2 demonstrate God's sovereignty over human history? 2. In what ways can modern believers be tempted to trust in "idols" similar to Bel and Marduk, and how can we guard against this? 3. How does the fall of Babylon serve as a warning to nations and individuals who oppose God today? 4. What are some practical ways we can boldly proclaim God's truth in our current cultural context, as Jeremiah was instructed to do? 5. How does the assurance of God's ultimate victory over evil, as seen in the fall of Babylon, provide hope and encouragement in your personal life? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 13 and 14These chapters also prophesy the fall of Babylon, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to humble the proud. Revelation 18Describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly systems opposed to God. Daniel 5The account of Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall, which foretold the imminent fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians. People Babylonians, Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, NebuchadrezzarPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Bashan, Carmel, Chaldea, Gilead, Gomorrah, Jordan River, Merathaim, Pekod, Sodom, ZionTopics Announce, Babylon, Banner, Bel, Broken, Captured, Conceal, Confounded, Declare, Disappointed, Dismayed, Ensign, Filled, Flag, Gods, Grievous, Hide, Idols, Images, Lift, Lifted, Marduk, Merodach, Mer'odach, Nations, Nothing, Pieces, Proclaim, Public, Publish, Shame, Shattered, Standard, TerrorDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 50:2 5223 banner
8747 false gods
8799 polytheism Jeremiah 50:1-2 5211 art
8739 evil, examples of Jeremiah 50:1-10 4215 Babylon Library The Kinsman-Redeemer
'Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of Hosts is His name: He shall thoroughly plead their cause.'--JER. l. 34. Among the remarkable provisions of the Mosaic law there were some very peculiar ones affecting the next-of-kin. The nearest living blood relation to a man had certain obligations and offices to discharge, under certain contingencies, in respect of which he received a special name; which is sometimes translated in the Old Testament 'Redeemer,' and sometimes 'Avenger' of blood. What the etymological …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureCovenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord and said. Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou--wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray they, out of thy book which than hast written." In the preceding discourse we endeavored to show that the idea of being willing to be damned for the glory of God is not found in the text--that the sentiment is erroneous and absurd--then adduced the constructions which have been put on the text by sundry expositors, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible "If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down.
[Sidenote: 1129] 19. (12). Meanwhile[365] it happened that Archbishop Cellach[366] fell sick: he it was who ordained Malachy deacon, presbyter and bishop: and knowing that he was dying he made a sort of testament[367] to the effect that Malachy ought to succeed him,[368] because none seemed worthier to be bishop of the first see. This he gave in charge to those who were present, this he commanded to the absent, this to the two kings of Munster[369] and to the magnates of the land he specially enjoined …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24), …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Saved by Grace;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE GRACE OF GOD: SHOWING-- I. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED. II. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED BY GRACE. III. WHO THEY AEE THAT ABE SAVED BY GRACE. IV. HOW IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE SAVED BY GRACE. V. WHAT SHOULD BE THE REASON THAT GOD SHOULD CHOOSE TO SAVE SINNERS BY GRACE RATHER THAN BY ANY OTHER MEANS. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS admirable Treatise upon the most important of all subjects, that of the soul's salvation, was first published in a pocket volume, in the year 1675. This has …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting 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 50:2 NIVJeremiah 50:2 NLTJeremiah 50:2 ESVJeremiah 50:2 NASBJeremiah 50:2 KJV
Jeremiah 50:2 Commentaries
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