◄ Jeremiah 50:36 ►
A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror.
Study Bible
A sword is against her false prophets,

Babylon’s diviners and religious counselors claimed insight into hidden things, yet their counsel could not avert the judgment decreed by the Lord. Like the false prophets opposed by Jeremiah in Judah, they offered confidence where God had announced destruction. Their exposure demonstrated that every voice speaking against God’s revealed truth will finally be shown empty.

Jer 14:15 Therefore this is what the LORD says about the prophets……
Zec 13:3 And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother…
Deu 18:20 But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name…

and they will become fools.

The wisdom Babylon trusted would collapse into shame when its predictions failed and its gods proved powerless. The city renowned for astrology, omens, and secret knowledge could not discern the approach of the Medes and Persians or prevent its fall. Rejecting the fear of the Lord leaves even the most celebrated human wisdom without understanding.

Ezk 13:3 This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets…
Hos 9:7 The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution…
Isa 44:25 who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools…

A sword is against her warriors,

Babylon’s military strength, which had conquered Jerusalem and many surrounding nations, stood under the command of God’s judgment. The Lord who had used Babylon as an instrument of discipline against Judah also appointed its defeat. No army, empire, or weapon can preserve a nation when God has determined its downfall.

Isa 13:15 Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured…
Ezk 32:12 I will make your hordes fall by the swords of the mighty.…
Jer 48:14 How can you say, ‘We are warriors, mighty men…

and they will be filled with terror.

The soldiers who had brought terror to others would be overcome by fear when Babylon’s defenses failed. Daniel 5 records the sudden panic surrounding Belshazzar’s final night, when the kingdom was given to the Medes and Persians. Human power cannot provide lasting security apart from the sovereign God.

Isa 13:7-8 Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart…
Jer 46:5 Why am I seeing this? They are terrified, they are retreating;…
Ezk 21:7 And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah is known for his prophecies concerning the judgment of God upon Judah and other nations, including Babylon.

2. Babylon
A powerful empire during the time of Jeremiah, known for its conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem. In this chapter, Babylon is the subject of God's impending judgment.

3. Diviners
Individuals in Babylon who practiced divination, attempting to predict the future or gain insight through supernatural means, often contrary to God's will.

4. Warriors
The military forces of Babylon, known for their strength and conquests, but here prophesied to face defeat and terror.

5. Sword
Symbolic of God's judgment and the instrument of His wrath against Babylon, representing both literal and metaphorical destruction.
Teaching Points
The Futility of False Wisdom
The diviners of Babylon, despite their claims to wisdom, are rendered foolish by God's judgment. This serves as a reminder that human wisdom, apart from God, is ultimately futile.

The Power of God's Judgment
The prophecy against Babylon's warriors illustrates that no earthly power can stand against the judgment of God. This encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty over all nations and powers.

The Consequences of Pride
Babylon's reliance on its own strength and wisdom leads to its downfall. This warns against the dangers of pride and self-reliance, urging believers to seek humility and dependence on God.

The Certainty of God's Word
The fulfillment of prophecies against Babylon demonstrates the reliability of God's Word. Believers can have confidence in the promises and warnings found in Scripture.

Spiritual Warfare
The imagery of the sword against Babylon's diviners and warriors can be applied to the spiritual battles believers face, reminding them to rely on God's truth and strength.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the judgment against Babylon's diviners challenge our understanding of wisdom and guidance? What sources of wisdom do we rely on today?

2. In what ways can the downfall of Babylon's warriors serve as a warning against trusting in our own strength? How can we apply this to our personal lives?

3. How does the prophecy against Babylon demonstrate the sovereignty of God over nations? What current events can we view through this lens?

4. What parallels can we draw between the pride of Babylon and the temptations we face in our own lives? How can we cultivate humility?

5. How does the certainty of God's judgment against Babylon encourage us to trust in His promises? What specific promises of God are you holding onto today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 47
This chapter also speaks of the downfall of Babylon, emphasizing the futility of their sorceries and wisdom against God's judgment.

Daniel 5
The fall of Babylon is depicted during the reign of Belshazzar, highlighting the fulfillment of prophetic words against the empire.

1 Corinthians 1:20
Paul speaks of God making the wisdom of the world foolish, paralleling the fate of Babylon's diviners.
Sermons
The Liars' SwordS. Conway Jeremiah 50:36
The Sword EverywhereD. Young Jeremiah 50:35-37
People
Babylonians, Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar
Places
Assyria, Babylon, Bashan, Carmel, Chaldea, Gilead, Gomorrah, Jordan River, Merathaim, Pekod, Sodom, Zion
Topics
FALSE, Broken, Destroyed, Dismayed, Diviners, Dote, Filled, Foolish, Fools, Liars, Mighty, Ones, Oracle, Pride, Priests, Princes, Prophets, Shattered, Sottish, Sword, Terror, War, Warriors
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 50:36

     8756   folly, examples

Jeremiah 50:35-37

     5572   sword

Jeremiah 50:35-38

     5401   madness

Library
The Kinsman-Redeemer
'Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of Hosts is His name: He shall thoroughly plead their cause.'--JER. l. 34. Among the remarkable provisions of the Mosaic law there were some very peculiar ones affecting the next-of-kin. The nearest living blood relation to a man had certain obligations and offices to discharge, under certain contingencies, in respect of which he received a special name; which is sometimes translated in the Old Testament 'Redeemer,' and sometimes 'Avenger' of blood. What the etymological …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord and said. Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou--wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray they, out of thy book which than hast written." In the preceding discourse we endeavored to show that the idea of being willing to be damned for the glory of God is not found in the text--that the sentiment is erroneous and absurd--then adduced the constructions which have been put on the text by sundry expositors, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down.
[Sidenote: 1129] 19. (12). Meanwhile[365] it happened that Archbishop Cellach[366] fell sick: he it was who ordained Malachy deacon, presbyter and bishop: and knowing that he was dying he made a sort of testament[367] to the effect that Malachy ought to succeed him,[368] because none seemed worthier to be bishop of the first see. This he gave in charge to those who were present, this he commanded to the absent, this to the two kings of Munster[369] and to the magnates of the land he specially enjoined …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24), …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Saved by Grace;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE GRACE OF GOD: SHOWING-- I. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED. II. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED BY GRACE. III. WHO THEY AEE THAT ABE SAVED BY GRACE. IV. HOW IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE SAVED BY GRACE. V. WHAT SHOULD BE THE REASON THAT GOD SHOULD CHOOSE TO SAVE SINNERS BY GRACE RATHER THAN BY ANY OTHER MEANS. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS admirable Treatise upon the most important of all subjects, that of the soul's salvation, was first published in a pocket volume, in the year 1675. This has …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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