Jeremiah 51:14
The LORD of Hosts has sworn by Himself: "Surely I will fill you up with men as with locusts, and they will shout in triumph over you."
The LORD of Hosts has sworn by Himself:
This phrase emphasizes the authority and power of God, who is often referred to as the "LORD of Hosts," indicating His command over the armies of heaven. Swearing by Himself underscores the certainty and unchangeable nature of His promise, as there is no higher authority by which He can swear (Hebrews 6:13). This reflects God's sovereignty and His ultimate control over the events of history.

Surely I will fill you up with men as with locusts:
The imagery of locusts is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing overwhelming numbers and destruction (Joel 1:4, Exodus 10:12-15). Here, it suggests an invading army that will be as numerous and devastating as a swarm of locusts. Historically, this prophecy is directed against Babylon, predicting its downfall through the invasion of the Medes and Persians. The locust metaphor also connects to the plagues of Egypt, highlighting divine judgment.

and they will shout in triumph over you:
The shouting in triumph indicates victory and conquest. This phrase foretells the celebration of the conquerors over Babylon, a city known for its pride and idolatry (Isaiah 47:1-5). The historical fulfillment of this prophecy occurred when Cyrus the Great captured Babylon in 539 BC. The triumph over Babylon can also be seen as a type of Christ's ultimate victory over sin and evil, as Babylon often symbolizes worldly opposition to God's kingdom (Revelation 18:2).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD of Hosts
This title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His ability to execute judgment and fulfill His promises.

2. Babylon
The primary subject of God's judgment in this passage. Babylon was a powerful empire known for its wealth and military might, but it was also notorious for its idolatry and oppression of God's people.

3. Locusts
Symbolic of a vast, overwhelming force. In the context of this verse, locusts represent the multitude of invaders that God will bring against Babylon as a form of divine judgment.

4. Jeremiah
The prophet who conveyed God's message of judgment and hope. He was called to deliver difficult truths to the people of Judah and the surrounding nations.

5. The Invading Armies
These are the forces that God will use to bring about Babylon's downfall. Historically, this refers to the Medes and Persians who conquered Babylon.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is in control of all nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes. His judgments are just and serve to fulfill His divine plan.

The Certainty of God's Promises
When God swears by Himself, it underscores the absolute certainty of His word. Believers can trust in the reliability of God's promises, both in judgment and in salvation.

The Consequences of Pride and Idolatry
Babylon's downfall serves as a warning against pride and reliance on worldly power. Believers are called to humble themselves and trust in God alone.

The Power of God's Word
Just as God's word brought about Babylon's fall, His word is powerful and active in our lives today. We are encouraged to study and apply it diligently.

Hope in God's Justice
While God's judgment is severe, it is also a source of hope for the oppressed. God's justice ensures that evil will not prevail indefinitely.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the title "The LORD of Hosts" influence our understanding of God's power and authority in this passage?

2. In what ways does the imagery of locusts help us understand the nature of God's judgment against Babylon?

3. How can the certainty of God's promises, as seen in this verse, provide comfort and assurance in our daily lives?

4. What lessons can we learn from Babylon's downfall about the dangers of pride and idolatry in our own lives?

5. How does the theme of God's justice in Jeremiah 51:14 connect with the ultimate hope found in Revelation 18:2? How can this shape our perspective on current world events?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joel 2:25
The imagery of locusts is also used in Joel to describe devastation, but with a promise of restoration. This highlights God's sovereignty in both judgment and redemption.

Isaiah 13:19
Isaiah prophesies the fall of Babylon, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment against pride and idolatry.

Revelation 18:2
The fall of Babylon is echoed in Revelation, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly powers opposed to God.
The Duty of Separating from the WorldA.F. Muir Jeremiah 51:6, 50
People
Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, Zedekiah
Places
Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, Zion
Topics
Armies, Assuredly, Canker, Cankerworm, Canker-worm, Caterpillars, Caterpillers, Cried, Cry, Fill, Filled, Full, Hosts, Lift, Locusts, Loud, Oath, Population, Raise, Saying, Shout, Shouting, Shouts, Surely, Swarm, Sworn, Triumph, Truly, Victory, Voices, Worm
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:14

     4669   locust

Library
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14).
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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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