Verse 46. At the noise of the taking of Babylon] See the note on the parallel place, chap. xlix. 21. In the forty-ninth chapter, these words are spoken of Nebuchadnezzar; here, of Cyrus. The taking of Babylon was a wonder to all the surrounding nations. It was thought to be impregnable.
Jer. 50:1-7 The king of Babylon was kind to Jeremiah, yet the prophe must foretell the ruin of that kingdom. If our friends are God' 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 othe promises. Their tears flow not from the sorrow of the world, as when they went into captivity, but from godly sorrow. They shall seek afte the Lord as their God, and have no more to do with idols. They shal think of returning to their own country. This represents the return of poorsouls to God. In true converts there are sincere desires to attai the end, and constant cares to keep in the way. Their present case is lamented as very sad. The sins of professing Christians never wil excuse those who rejoice in destroying them.
Jer. 50:8-20 The desolation that shall be brought upon Babylon is se forth in a variety of expressions. The cause of this destruction is the wrath of the Lord. Babylon shall be wholly desolated; for she hat sinned against the Lord. Sin makes men a mark for the arrows of God' judgments. The mercypromised to the Israel of God, shall not onl accompany, but arise from the destruction of Babylon. These sheep shal be gathered from the deserts, and put again into good pasture. All wh return to God and their duty, shall find satisfaction of soul in s doing. Deliverances out of trouble are comforts indeed, when fruits of the forgiveness of sin.
Jer. 50:21-32 The forces are mustered and empowered to destroyBabylon 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 ripen them apace for ruin. Babylon's pride must be her ruin; she has bee proud against the Holy One of Israel; who can keep those up whom God will throw down?
