Jeremiah 51:21
With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver.
With you I shatter horse and rider
With you
This phrase emphasizes the instrumentality of God's chosen servant or nation in executing His divine judgment. In the context of Jeremiah 51, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah about the impending judgment on Babylon. The "you" here can be seen as a reference to the Medes and Persians, whom God would use to bring about Babylon's downfall. This highlights the biblical theme that God often uses human agents to accomplish His purposes, underscoring His sovereignty over nations and history.

I shatter
The Hebrew root for "shatter" is "נָפַץ" (napats), which conveys a sense of breaking or smashing into pieces. This word choice reflects the totality and decisiveness of God's judgment. It is not merely a defeat but a complete destruction, symbolizing the irreversible nature of divine retribution against those who oppose God's will. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic literature where God is depicted as a warrior who decisively defeats His enemies.

horse and rider
In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the horse and rider were symbols of military strength and power. Horses were prized for their speed and strength, and chariots were a formidable force in battle. By stating that He will shatter "horse and rider," God is declaring His power over even the mightiest military forces. This phrase echoes the song of Moses in Exodus 15:1, where God triumphs over the Egyptian chariots in the Red Sea. It serves as a reminder that no earthly power can withstand the judgment of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of Israel and the surrounding nations.

2. Babylon
The empire that Jeremiah prophesied against, symbolizing human pride and opposition to God. In this chapter, Babylon is the subject of God's judgment.

3. Horse and Rider
Symbolic of military power and strength, often used in ancient warfare.

4. Chariot and Driver
Representing advanced military technology and the might of armies during Jeremiah's time.

5. God's Instrument
The "you" in the verse refers to God's chosen instrument of judgment, which could be interpreted as the Medes and Persians who conquered Babylon.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and their destinies. He uses nations as instruments to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His ultimate authority over human history.

The Futility of Human Power
Military might and human strength are ultimately futile against God's plans. Trusting in worldly power leads to downfall, as seen in the judgment of Babylon.

God's Judgment and Justice
God's judgment is just and righteous. He will bring down those who oppose Him and exalt His name through His acts of justice.

Being God's Instrument
Believers are called to be instruments of God's will. While this verse speaks of judgment, Christians are called to be instruments of peace and reconciliation in the world.

Hope in God's Deliverance
Just as God delivered His people from powerful enemies in the past, He will deliver His people today. Our hope is in His power and faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations impact your view of current world events?

2. In what ways can believers today be instruments of God's will, and how does this differ from the context of Jeremiah 51:21?

3. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength rather than God's. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from it?

4. How does the theme of God's judgment against Babylon in Jeremiah 51 relate to the ultimate judgment described in Revelation?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your trust is in God rather than in worldly power or resources?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 15:1-4
The song of Moses celebrates God's triumph over the horse and rider of Egypt, drawing a parallel to God's power over military forces.

Isaiah 41:15-16
God promises to make Israel a threshing sledge, emphasizing His power to use His people as instruments of judgment.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon the Great in Revelation echoes the themes of judgment against Babylon in Jeremiah, highlighting the ultimate defeat of worldly powers opposed to God.
The Duty of Separating from the WorldA.F. Muir Jeremiah 51:6, 50
People
Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, Zedekiah
Places
Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, Zion
Topics
Break, Broken, Chariot, Charioteer, Driver, Goes, Horse, Horseman, Pieces, Rider, Rideth, Shatter, Therein, War-carriage
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:21

     4657   horse
     5252   chariots

Jeremiah 51:20-23

     5205   alliance

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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