This is what the LORD of Hosts says: "Babylon's thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames." “Thus says the LORD of Hosts”This phrase introduces a divine proclamation, emphasizing the authority and power of God. The title "LORD of Hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) underscores God's sovereignty over all heavenly and earthly armies. It is a reminder of His ultimate control and the assurance that His words are not mere human predictions but divine certainties. This sets the tone for the seriousness and inevitability of the message that follows. “The broad walls of Babylon”
The phrase refers to the massive fortifications of ancient Babylon, known for their impressive size and strength. Archaeological findings confirm that Babylon's walls were among the most formidable of the ancient world, symbolizing the city's might and security. However, this phrase also serves as a metaphor for human pride and reliance on earthly power, which stands in contrast to reliance on God. “will be leveled,”
This phrase indicates total destruction, a leveling to the ground. The Hebrew root here conveys the idea of being razed or demolished. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians. Spiritually, it serves as a warning against the arrogance of self-sufficiency and the futility of trusting in human strength over divine protection. “and her high gates”
The gates of Babylon were not only functional but also symbolic of the city's grandeur and invincibility. They were the entry points, heavily fortified and guarded. In a spiritual sense, gates often represent access and authority. The mention of their destruction signifies the loss of power and control, a humbling of what was once considered impregnable. “will be set on fire;”
Fire is a common biblical symbol of judgment and purification. The setting of the gates on fire signifies a complete and consuming judgment. Historically, this reflects the actual burning of Babylon's gates during its conquest. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the consuming nature of God's judgment against sin and rebellion. “the peoples labor for nothing;”
This phrase highlights the futility of human efforts apart from God. The Hebrew root suggests laboring in vain or to no purpose. It reflects the broader biblical theme that without God, human endeavors, no matter how grand, ultimately lead to emptiness. It is a call to align one's efforts with God's will to find true purpose and fulfillment. “the nations exhaust themselves in vain.”
Here, the focus is on the collective efforts of nations, emphasizing the universal scope of the message. The Hebrew conveys a sense of weariness and fruitlessness. Historically, it points to the alliances and efforts of nations that sought to resist God's plans. Spiritually, it serves as a caution against the pride of nations and the ultimate futility of opposing God's sovereign will. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD of HostsThis title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His ability to execute judgment against Babylon. 2. BabylonA powerful empire known for its grandeur and strength, symbolized by its broad walls and high gates. Babylon represents human pride and opposition to God. 3. The Peoples and NationsRefers to those who labor under Babylon's rule, highlighting the futility of their efforts when opposed to God's will. 4. The Broad Walls and High GatesSymbols of Babylon's might and security, which God declares will be destroyed, demonstrating the futility of human pride and strength against divine judgment. 5. The FlamesRepresent the destruction and judgment that God will bring upon Babylon, illustrating the ultimate futility of human endeavors apart from God. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod is in control of all nations and empires, regardless of their power or influence. We must trust in His ultimate plan and justice. The Futility of Human PrideHuman achievements and pride are ultimately futile when they stand in opposition to God. We should seek humility and align our efforts with God's purposes. The Inevitability of Divine JudgmentGod's judgment is certain and will come to pass. We must live in a way that honors God, knowing that He will hold all accountable. The Importance of Aligning with God's WillOur labor and efforts should be directed by God's will, ensuring that our work is not in vain but contributes to His kingdom. The Call to Repentance and FaithfulnessIn light of God's judgment, we are called to repent from pride and faithlessness, turning to God with sincere hearts and faithful obedience. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of Babylon's fall in Jeremiah 51:58 challenge our understanding of security and strength in worldly terms? 2. In what ways can we see the futility of human efforts in our own lives, and how can we ensure our labor aligns with God's purposes? 3. How does the theme of divine judgment in Jeremiah 51:58 encourage us to live differently in our daily walk with God? 4. What parallels can we draw between the fall of Babylon and the warnings given to the church in Revelation 18? 5. How can we apply the lessons of humility and reliance on God from this passage to our personal and community life? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 13This chapter also prophesies the fall of Babylon, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring down the proud. Revelation 18Describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly systems opposed to God, echoing the themes of judgment and futility found in Jeremiah 51:58. Psalm 127:1Highlights the futility of human efforts without God's blessing, paralleling the message that the labor of the peoples and nations is in vain. People Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, ZedekiahPlaces Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, ZionTopics Armies, Babylon, Babylon's, Bare, Broad, Broken, Burned, Burnt, Completely, Doorways, Exhaust, Exhausted, Fire, Flames, Folk, Fuel, Gates, Ground, Hosts, Labor, Labour, Laboured, Laid, Leveled, Nations, Nothing, Nought, Overthrown, Peoples, Razed, Says, Smoke, Themselves, Thick, Thus, Toil, Uncovered, Utterly, Vain, Vanity, Wall, Walls, Weariness, Weary, Wide, WorkingDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 51:58 5256 city
5323 gate
5864 futility
5890 insecurity 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 51:58 NIVJeremiah 51:58 NLTJeremiah 51:58 ESVJeremiah 51:58 NASBJeremiah 51:58 KJV
Jeremiah 51:58 Commentaries
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