The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. He made the earth by His powerThis phrase emphasizes the omnipotence of God, highlighting His ability to create the earth through sheer power. The Hebrew word for "made" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which implies not just creation but also the act of fashioning or forming with intention and purpose. This reflects the biblical worldview that the universe is not a product of random chance but of divine will and design. The earth, in this context, is a testament to God's sovereign power, reminding believers of His ultimate authority over all creation. He established the world by His wisdom
Here, the focus shifts to God's wisdom, using the Hebrew word "כּוּן" (kun) for "established," which conveys the idea of setting something up firmly or securely. This suggests that the world is not only a product of power but also of divine intelligence and order. The term "wisdom" (חָכְמָה, chokmah) in Hebrew is often associated with skill and expertise, indicating that the world is intricately designed with purpose and precision. This reflects the belief that God's creation is both intentional and intelligently ordered, providing a foundation for understanding the world as a coherent and purposeful system. and stretched out the heavens by His understanding
The phrase "stretched out" comes from the Hebrew "נָטָה" (natah), which means to extend or spread out. This imagery of God stretching out the heavens like a tent is a common biblical metaphor, illustrating the vastness and grandeur of the universe. The word "understanding" (תְּבוּנָה, tebunah) suggests discernment and insight, indicating that the cosmos is not only vast but also comprehensible and ordered by divine insight. This serves as a reminder of God's infinite knowledge and the intricate balance of creation, encouraging believers to trust in His perfect understanding and governance of the universe. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of Israel and the surrounding nations. 2. BabylonThe context of Jeremiah 51 is a prophecy against Babylon, a powerful empire known for its conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem. 3. CreationThe verse references the act of creation, highlighting God's power, wisdom, and understanding in forming the earth and the heavens. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in CreationRecognize that God is the ultimate authority over all creation, having made the earth by His power. Wisdom and UnderstandingReflect on the wisdom and understanding of God, which are evident in the order and complexity of the world. Trust in God's PowerIn times of uncertainty, trust in the same power that created the universe to sustain and guide you. Creation as a Reflection of GodSee the natural world as a testament to God's character and attributes, leading to worship and reverence. God's Control Over NationsUnderstand that just as God created the world, He also governs the rise and fall of nations, including Babylon. Bible Study Questions 1. How does recognizing God's power in creation influence your daily trust in Him? 2. In what ways can you see God's wisdom and understanding reflected in the world around you? 3. How does the context of Babylon's judgment in Jeremiah 51 enhance your understanding of God's sovereignty? 4. What other biblical accounts of creation can you study to deepen your appreciation of God's creative power? 5. How can you apply the understanding of God's control over creation to your personal life challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1The creation account in Genesis parallels Jeremiah 51:15, emphasizing God's power and wisdom in creating the world. Proverbs 3:19-20These verses also speak of God's wisdom in creation, reinforcing the themes found in Jeremiah 51:15. Psalm 104This psalm praises God for His creation, echoing the acknowledgment of His power and wisdom. People Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, ZedekiahPlaces Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, ZionTopics Design, Discernment, Established, Establisher, Founded, Heaven, Heavens, Maker, Power, Stretched, Strong, Understanding, Wisdom, WiseDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 51:15 8355 understanding 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 Links Jeremiah 51:15 NIVJeremiah 51:15 NLTJeremiah 51:15 ESVJeremiah 51:15 NASBJeremiah 51:15 KJV
Jeremiah 51:15 Commentaries
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