Jeremiah:50

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* Verse 1-7 - The king of Babylon was kind to Jeremiah , yet the prophet must foretell the ruin of that kingdom . If our friends are God 's enemies , we dare not speak peace to them . The destruction of Babylon is spoken of as done thoroughly . Here is a word for the comfort of the Jews . They shall return to their God first , then to their own land ; the promise of their conversion and reformation makes way for the other promises . Their tears flow not from the sorrow of the world , as when they went into captivity , but from godly sorrow . They shall seek after the Lord as their God , and have no more to do with idols . They shall think of returning to their own country . This represents the return of poor souls to God . In true converts there are sincere desires to attain the end , and constant cares to keep in the way . Their present case is lamented as very sad . The sins of professing Christians never will excuse those who rejoice in destroying them . * Verse 8-20 - The desolation that shall be brought upon Babylon is set forth in a variety of expressions . The cause of this destruction is the wrath of the Lord . Babylon shall be wholly desolated ; for she hath sinned against the Lord . Sin makes men a mark for the arrows of God 's judgments . The mercy promised to the Israel of God , shall not only accompany , but arise from the destruction of Babylon . These sheep shall be gathered from the deserts , and put again into good pasture . All who return to God and their duty , shall find satisfaction of soul in so doing . Deliverances out of trouble are comforts indeed , when fruits of the forgiveness of sin . * Verse 21-32 - The forces are mustered and empowered to destroy Babylon . Let them do what God demands , and they shall bring to pass what he threatens . The pride of men 's hearts sets God against them , and ripens them apace for ruin . Babylon 's pride must be her ruin ; she has been proud against the Holy One of Israel ; who can keep those up whom God will throw down ? * Verse 33-46 - It is Israel 's comfort in distress , that , though they are weak , their Redeemer is strong . This may be applied to believers , who complain of the dominion of sin and corruption , and of their own weakness and manifold infirmities . Their Redeemer is able to keep what they commit to him ; and sin shall not have dominion over them . He will give them that rest which remains for the people of God . Also here is Babylon 's sin , and their punishment . The sins are , idolatry and persecution . He that will not save his people in their sins , never will countenance the wickedness of his open enemies . The judgments of God for these sins will lay them waste . In the judgments denounced against prosperous Babylon , and the mercies promised to afflicted Israel , we learn to choose to suffer affliction with the people of God , rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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