What other scriptures highlight God's sovereignty over nations like Jeremiah 51:26? Setting the Scene: Babylon’s Fate in Jeremiah 51:26 “No stone will be taken from you for a cornerstone, nor any stone for a foundation, for you will become desolate forever,” declares the LORD. The verdict on Babylon pictures total dismantling with nothing left to build upon, underscoring God’s absolute authority over empires. The Sweep of Scripture: God Reigns over Every Nation - He appoints and removes kings at His discretion. - Boundaries, seasons, and destinies of peoples are set by Him alone. - Nations serve His redemptive plan yet remain accountable to His holiness. - Human power, however daunting, is “a drop in a bucket” before the Almighty. Representative Passages Demonstrating Sovereignty • Daniel 2:21 — “He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” • Daniel 4:17 — “The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes, and sets over it the lowliest of men.” • Psalm 22:28 — “For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.” • Psalm 47:8 — “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.” • Isaiah 40:15 — “Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered as a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust.” • Isaiah 40:17 — “All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.” • Isaiah 46:9-10 — “I am God, and there is no other… I declare the end from the beginning… I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” • Job 12:23 — “He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.” • Proverbs 21:1 — “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.” • Jeremiah 18:7-10 — “At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted… But if that nation… turns from its evil, I will relent…” • Acts 17:26 — “From one man He made every nation of men… He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” • Romans 13:1 — “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been appointed by God.” • Revelation 17:17 — “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose… until the words of God are fulfilled.” Key Patterns to Observe - God’s control is comprehensive—times, seasons, and even rulers’ hearts. - Sovereignty does not nullify accountability; genuine national repentance moves His hand. - Prophetic words like Jeremiah 51:26 stand fulfilled in history, confirming Scripture’s reliability. - All national histories move toward Christ’s ultimate rule (Psalm 2; Revelation 11:15). Living in the Light of Divine Sovereignty - Confidence grows by seeing world events under God’s hand, not random forces. - Humility develops when remembering national strength is temporary stewardship. - Faithfulness flourishes by aligning allegiance with the everlasting kingdom rather than transient earthly powers. |
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