Jeremiah 51:5
For Israel and Judah have not been abandoned by their God, the LORD of Hosts, though their land is full of guilt before the Holy One of Israel."
For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken
This phrase is a profound declaration of God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant people. The Hebrew root for "forsaken" is "עזב" (azab), which means to leave, abandon, or desert. Despite Israel and Judah's repeated disobedience and idolatry, God reassures them that He has not abandoned them. This reflects the unchanging nature of God's promises, as seen throughout the Old Testament, where He consistently calls His people back to Himself, offering redemption and restoration. Historically, this assurance would have been crucial during the Babylonian exile, a time when the Israelites might have felt utterly forsaken.

by their God, the LORD of Hosts
The title "LORD of Hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It is a reminder that God is not only the personal deity of Israel and Judah but also the sovereign ruler of the universe. This title reassures the Israelites of God's capability to protect and deliver them, even when facing formidable enemies like Babylon. The use of "their God" underscores the personal relationship and covenantal bond between God and His people, highlighting His commitment to them despite their unfaithfulness.

though their land was full of guilt
The phrase "full of guilt" acknowledges the pervasive sin and rebellion that characterized Israel and Judah. The Hebrew word for "guilt" is "אָשָׁם" (asham), which conveys a sense of offense or wrongdoing deserving of punishment. This acknowledgment of guilt is crucial, as it sets the stage for understanding the depth of God's grace and mercy. Despite the nation's transgressions, God remains committed to His people, offering them hope and a future. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of redemption, where God continually seeks to restore His people to Himself.

before the Holy One of Israel
The title "Holy One of Israel" emphasizes God's purity, righteousness, and separateness from sin. It is a reminder of the standard to which Israel and Judah are called to aspire. The holiness of God is a central theme throughout Scripture, highlighting the contrast between God's perfect nature and humanity's fallen state. This phrase serves as both a reminder of God's character and a call to repentance for His people. It underscores the need for Israel and Judah to turn back to God, aligning themselves with His holy standards, and trusting in His provision for their redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israel and Judah
These are the two kingdoms that made up the nation of Israel after the division following King Solomon's reign. Israel refers to the northern kingdom, while Judah refers to the southern kingdom, which included Jerusalem.

2. The LORD of Hosts
This is a title for God that emphasizes His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies. It underscores His power and authority.

3. The Holy One of Israel
Another title for God, highlighting His holiness and unique relationship with Israel. It emphasizes His purity and the covenant relationship He has with His people.

4. The Land
Refers to the physical territory of Israel and Judah, which was filled with guilt due to the people's sins and idolatry.

5. Jeremiah
The prophet who delivered God's messages to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment and calling them to repentance.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness Despite Sin
God remains faithful to His covenant people even when they are unfaithful. This underscores the unchanging nature of God's promises and His enduring love.

The Reality of Sin and Guilt
The land being "full of guilt" serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and its consequences. It calls believers to examine their own lives for areas of unconfessed sin.

The Call to Repentance
While God does not forsake His people, He calls them to repentance. This is a call for believers to turn away from sin and return to God wholeheartedly.

The Holiness of God
The title "Holy One of Israel" reminds us of God's holiness and the standard He sets for His people. Believers are called to live lives that reflect His holiness.

Hope in God's Promises
Despite the guilt and sin, there is hope because God does not forsake His people. This hope is rooted in God's character and His promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the faithfulness of God to Israel and Judah encourage you in your personal walk with God, especially when you struggle with sin?

2. In what ways can you identify with the "guilt" mentioned in the verse, and how can you seek God's forgiveness and cleansing?

3. How does understanding God's holiness impact your daily life and decisions?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that you are living in a way that reflects God's holiness?

5. How can the assurance that God does not forsake His people provide comfort and hope in times of personal or communal crisis?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 1:4
This verse also speaks of the guilt and sinfulness of the nation, using similar language to describe the people's rebellion against God.

Hosea 11:8-9
These verses express God's deep love and unwillingness to completely forsake Israel, despite their sinfulness.

Romans 11:1-2
Paul speaks about God not rejecting His people, Israel, affirming the continuity of God's faithfulness.
Divine Love not to be Severed from its ObjectA.F. Muir Jeremiah 51:5
God's People not Forgotten or ForsakenJeremiah 51:5
Israel and Judah not ForsakenJeremiah 51:5
Unforsaken IsraelD. Young Jeremiah 51:5
People
Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, Zedekiah
Places
Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, Zion
Topics
Almighty, Although, Armies, Chalde'ans, Filled, Forsaken, Full, Guilt, Holy, Hosts, Judah, Sin, Though, Widowed
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:5

     5770   abandonment

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

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