Jeremiah 51 “Even Though Evil Seems Strong”

Jeremiah 51 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:      

• Do It Again – Elevation Worship
• Sovereign Over Us – Michael W Smith
• King Of My Heart – Bethel Music

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Gizmo’s Daily Bible Byte – 152 – Psalm 46:1 – Big God, Little Problems – Lesson for Kids
• This is My commandment | BF KIDS – Song for Kids
• Kids Praise Party: Our God Is A Great Big God – Vineyard Kids – Song for Kids
• Help Me Jesus | True North VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The prophecy of judgment against Babylon continues. Just as the Lord used Babylon to judge many nations, He will now raise up another nation to judge Babylon. When that time comes, the very same disaster they brought upon God’s people will come upon them (vv. 1–14). This was something no one could have imagined. It seemed as though no one could ever stand against the king of Babylon, and that no empire would ever rise to challenge that nation. But it is God who governs and guides human history. Nothing is impossible for Him. When He decides, even the mighty kingdom of Babylon will collapse in a moment (vv. 15–19).

At one time, God used Babylon as His instrument to judge many nations (vv. 20–23). But because of the evil they have accumulated, God will hand them over to other nations. When that time comes, the great cities of Babylon will all become ruins, and its cruel and ruthless soldiers will be slaughtered (vv. 24–33).

This is God’s response to the prayer of the people of Judah, who cried out to Him as Babylon destroyed them. Despite their earnest prayers, Jerusalem fell, and they were taken into exile. But God’s answer to their prayer would ultimately be fulfilled (vv. 34–40). When that day comes, people will write and sing a dirge over Babylon’s destruction (vv. 41–49). That day will come soon, and for the people of Judah who were taken as captives, it will be the day of their liberation (vv. 50–53). The fall of Babylon is the judgment carried out by the Lord Himself (vv. 54–58).

This prophecy came to Jeremiah in the fourth year of King Zedekiah (593 BC). The Lord commanded Jeremiah to write this prophecy in a scroll and give it to Seraiah, the king’s chief aide, to take with him to Babylon when he accompanied King Zedekiah to present tribute. There, Seraiah was to read the entire prophecy aloud and pray that it would be fulfilled exactly as written. Then he was instructed to tie the scroll to a stone and throw it into the Euphrates River. As he watched the scroll sink, he was to declare, “In the same way, Babylon will sink and never rise again, and it will decline” (vv. 59–64).

Meditation:

In 597 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Judah, captured King Jehoiachin, set up his uncle Mattaniah as a puppet king, and changed his name to Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:8–17). Jerusalem and the temple were plundered, and Judah lost its sovereignty. Four years later, this prophecy came to Jeremiah—at a time when Nebuchadnezzar was expanding his empire without resistance.

Seraiah, the king’s chief aide, would have carried the written prophecy to Babylon and read it there, just as Jeremiah instructed. I imagine what he must have felt as he read in the capital city of the empire—where he stood as the official of a vassal state—this prophecy declaring that Babylon would ultimately be judged. It must have felt as if all the humiliation and shame he had endured because of Babylon were suddenly released in an instant. As he tied the scroll to a stone and threw it into the Euphrates River, watching it sinks beneath the water, he must have prayed earnestly for the prophecy’s fulfillment.

Something in Seraiah’s heart and actions must have changed after that moment. Until then, he had assumed that what he saw with his own eyes was all there was. But once he read the prophetic word, his vision of the world shifted. He realized that what was unfolding before him was not the whole story. He saw that the true ruler of history was not an earthly king, but the Creator God. He understood that there is One who ultimately sets all things right. Because of this, he no longer despaired at what he saw. Even if he felt fear or sorrow because of present troubles, he would not “grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Prayer:

Lord, even today, evil rulers around the world strive to satisfy their corrupt desires, and powerless people suffer under their tyranny. If that were the whole story, we would have no choice but to despair. But because we know that You stand beyond all of this and that You are the One guiding the flow of history, we gather our hope again. Though our eyes may see evil flourishing, we trust that You will set all things right. With that faith, we commit ourselves today to follow Your leading wherever You have placed us. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Even when evil seems strong and everything looks hopeless, God is still guiding history. God sees everything, will set all things right, and gives us hope that doesn’t disappear.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • Have you ever felt scared because something seemed too big or too strong for you? What did you do?
  • Seraiah learned that God is the true ruler, not the strong king of Babylon. What does it mean that God is in charge, even when things look bad?
  • What is one thing that helps you remember God is with you when you feel sad or afraid?
    
• Youth:
  • Seraiah realized that what he could see wasn’t the whole story. What are situations in your life where you need to remember that God is working behind the scenes?
  • The devotional reminds us that evil may seem strong, but God ultimately brings justice. How do you hold onto hope without becoming numb or overwhelmed by the world’s problems?
  • How can Christians in Fairfax County become people of hope in their schools, families, and communities—even when others despair?