Jeremiah 50

14–16 The Lord calls upon the “nation from the north” to attack Babylon (verse 14). Let every exile living in Babylonia flee to his own land (verse 16).

17–20 In these verses, the Lord summarizes Israel’s punishment and restoration. Israel (the northern kingdom) was conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C., and Judah (the southern kingdom) was conquered by Babylon in 586 B.C. (verse 17)—all under the Lord’s direction. But because of their hatred and cruelty toward the Lord’s people, the Lord is going to punish the kings of Babylon and Assyria,¹³⁵ and then bring His people back to their land (verses 18–19). And God will find no sins in His people (verse 20), for He will have forgiven the remnant of Israel that survives¹³⁶ (see Jeremiah 31:34; 33:8).

21–28 The Lord commands Cyrus and his allies to attack Babylon; “Do everything I have commanded you,” says the Lord (verse 21). Jeremiah envisions the hammer of Babylon being shattered (verse 22); the same “hammer” that had “shattered” so many other nations was itself to be shattered. Babylon will be caught before she knows it (verse 24). Indeed, when the Persians invaded the city of Babylon, they caught it completely by surprise.

29–32 The Lord further describes the judgment soon to fall upon Babylon.

33–34 Yet the Lord, the Redeemer, will defend the cause of His people (see Jeremiah 31:11); and after the Exile He will bring rest to their land (see Jeremiah 31:2).

35–40 The Lord calls for judgment—a sword—against the people, the animals, the treasures, and even the waters of Babylon. Let Babylon remain uninhabited (verse 39); let it be overthrown, as Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown (Jeremiah 49:18).

41–43 These verses are repeated from Jeremiah 6:22–24. The earlier prophecy referred to Jerusalem; here it has been applied to Babylon.

44–46 These verses are repeated from Jeremiah 49:19–21. The earlier prophecy referred to Edom; here too it has been applied to Babylon.