By Pastor Bob Lawrenz
In our first verse today, Jeremiah 50:25, the Word tells us that God is bringing forth the weapons of His indignation against Babylon.
Indignation: anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.
“Unfair treatment” is an understatement for what Babylon did to Israel as they carted the Jews off to bondage. Their cruelty, and then the destruction of Jerusalem and God’s holy Temple was not called for. Babylon had sinned against the Lord. But then, they only knew one way to invade another homeland: decimate it!
The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God, in spite of the fact that at one time, they were all descendants of Noah, who acted on faith to believe God’s warnings of a flood, and His directions for building a large boat. The Ancient Mesopotamians ignored the God of all Creation and worshiped seven other deities, all of them devised by man, and they took on the attributes of mankind, both good and evil. Later on, the national god of the Babylonians was Marduk, a deity whose popularity increased paralleling the spread of Babylonian power and influence.
According to Romans 1:21-23, this is the first step in a relationship with God that is spiraling away from the one true God, and spiraling downward towards the idol worship of gods conceived by the human mind. The rest of that chapter describes the continuing trend away from God, and it’s inevitable conclusion of uncleanness, immorality, and final full rejection of God.
Sadly, not much has changed spiritually in that part of the world. But the Persian Gulf region cannot be singled out in that regard. These things remain a temptation for the whole world, ALL of God’s creation.
God, in His fairness has given all mankind a way out of these sinful worship practices, through His Son Jesus Christ. I would personally never want to come face-to-face with God’s 'weapons of indignation." Such weapons cut through the soul and could lead to being turned over to Satan and his hordes.
But repentance and confessing our sin(s) sets us aright with God and His Son Jesus the Christ. (1 John 1:9)
“Thou shalt have none other gods before me.” - Deuteronomy 5:7
Today's Audio Message: "Weapons Of Indignation"
We are almost to the end of the section in Jeremiah where God has been declaring judgement on the unrepentant nations of Jeremiah’s day. Jeremiah devotes two long chapters of divinely given messages to Babylon declaring God’s judgment upon them for their cruelty to His people, and their wicked pride.
The LORD makes a renewed call for Babylon and its armies to be destroyed and summons all who draw the bow. The LORD has opened His armory, a mighty army, well equipped, brought by the powerful providence of God. The whole world is his armory, at His disposal, and he can raise up instruments to do his will at pleasure. All her soldiers will be killed. Babylon's refugees will declare that God is taking revenge for what Babylon did to God's temple and Babylon will be burned and humble.
A mighty nation and many kings will come together against Babylon from the north, and the king of Babylon will be paralyzed with fear when he hears about it. (See insert: Map)
Just as Israel was scattered like sheep by the lion of Babylon, so now God’s lion will rise up and scatter the Babylonians. In its historic context, this lion was Cyrus the Persian, but in its end-time context this Lion is Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
