Judgment on Judah, vv. 1-14
A. The Date, vv. 1-2
- 605 BC the Egyptians were defeated at Carchemish, Jer 46:2.
- Babylonian armies chased Egyptians south.
- Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem but had to go back to Babylon because his father died and he became king.
B. Jeremiah’s Declaration and Judah’s Deafness, vv. 4-7
- Jeremiah proclaimed God’s Word for 23 years at this point.
- Judah refused to heed Jeremiah’s and other prophets’ warnings: “Repent.”
- Judah’s hardened disobedience provoked God’s anger.
C. Judah’s Desolation for Seventy Years, vv. 8- 11
- The Lord of Hosts, the commander of heavenly armies proclaims.
- The Lord will bring His servant, Nebuchadnezzar, against Judah.
- 3. Judah will serve Nebuchadnezzar seventy years.
D. Babylon’s Desolation for Perpetuity, vv. 12-14: After seventy years, God will punish Babylonian Empire in perpetuity for their evil deeds and works against His people.
Judgment on the Nations, vv. 15-38
A. The Cup of God’s Fury, vv. 15-16
- The Cup of Jerusalem’s Staggering, v. 18: Judgment always begins with God’s people.
- God’s Fury on Egypt and Surrounding Nations, vv. 19-26
Adam Clarke identified some of these peoples more specifically.
• Dedan: “Was son of Abraham, by Keturah, Gen_25:3.”
• Tema: “Was one of the sons of Ishmael, in the north of Arabia, Gen_36:15.”
• Buz: “Brother of Uz, descendants of Nahor, brother of Abraham, settled in Arabia Deserta, Gen_22:21.”
• Zimri: “Descendants of Abraham, by Keturah, Gen_25:2; Gen_25:6.”
3. Sheshach is a code name for the Babylonians scattered.
B. The Nations Drink the Cup of God’s Fury, vv. 27-29: “Drink, be drunk, and vomit.”
1. The Lord’s anger with the nations, vv. 30-33
a. Those who refused to hear God before will now have to hear Him roar.
b. The righteous shall rejoice in the judgment of God at the end of the age.
c. The dead carcases shall be refuse on the ground, see Revelation 19:11-18.
2. The Lord’s anger with the shepherds, the corrupt kings of the world, vv. 34-38