Jeremiah 51:29
The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD's intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.
The earth quakes and writhes
This phrase captures the intense reaction of creation to God's judgment. Earthquakes in the Bible often symbolize divine intervention or judgment (e.g., Exodus 19:18, Matthew 27:51). The imagery of the earth writhing suggests a violent upheaval, reflecting the severity of God's actions against Babylon. This can be seen as a fulfillment of God's sovereign power over nations and nature, emphasizing His control over all creation.

because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand:
The phrase underscores the certainty and unchangeability of God's plans. Babylon, a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God, is subject to divine judgment. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's justice and the eventual downfall of all who oppose Him (Isaiah 14:22-23). The mention of the LORD's intentions highlights His active role in history, fulfilling prophecies given through His prophets, such as those found in Isaiah and Jeremiah.

to make the land of Babylon a desolation,
This prophecy foretells the complete destruction of Babylon, which was once a powerful empire. Historically, Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC, fulfilling this prophecy. The term "desolation" indicates not just military defeat but a total ruin, leaving the land barren and uninhabitable. This serves as a warning of the consequences of pride and idolatry, as Babylon was known for its grandeur and defiance against God.

without inhabitant.
The finality of Babylon's judgment is emphasized by the absence of inhabitants. This reflects the complete and irreversible nature of God's judgment. In biblical terms, a land without inhabitants signifies utter devastation and abandonment (Isaiah 13:19-20). This also serves as a typological foreshadowing of the ultimate judgment against all ungodly systems, as seen in Revelation 18, where Babylon is used symbolically to represent the world system opposed to God.

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
An ancient city and empire known for its wealth, power, and opposition to God’s people. In this context, Babylon represents a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness to His purposes and promises.

4. The Earth
Represents the physical world that responds to God’s actions and judgments, often depicted as quaking or trembling in the presence of divine intervention.

5. Desolation
The state of being deserted and empty, which is the prophesied outcome for Babylon as a result of God’s judgment.
Teaching Points
God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
God’s purposes will prevail over any nation or power, no matter how mighty they appear. This reminds us to trust in God’s ultimate plan and justice.

The Consequences of Pride and Rebellion
Babylon’s downfall serves as a warning against pride and rebellion against God. We are called to humility and obedience.

The Certainty of God’s Judgment
Just as Babylon faced desolation, there is a certainty of judgment for those who oppose God. This should motivate us to live righteously and share the gospel.

The Earth’s Response to God’s Power
The imagery of the earth quaking highlights the power and majesty of God. It encourages us to have a reverent fear of the Lord.

Hope in God’s Justice
While judgment is severe, it also brings hope for the oppressed, as God’s justice will ultimately prevail.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the prophecy against Babylon in Jeremiah 51:29 demonstrate God’s sovereignty over human history?

2. In what ways can the fall of Babylon serve as a warning to modern societies and individuals?

3. How does the imagery of the earth quaking in response to God’s judgment enhance our understanding of His power?

4. What parallels can you draw between the judgment of Babylon and the final judgment described in Revelation?

5. How can we find hope and assurance in God’s justice as we face injustices in the world today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 13
This chapter also prophesies the fall of Babylon, emphasizing the theme of divine judgment against nations that oppose God.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon is echoed in the New Testament, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly systems opposed to God.

Nahum 1:5
Describes the earth trembling at the presence of the LORD, similar to the imagery in Jeremiah 51:29.
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
Babylon, Desolation, Fixed, Inhabitant, Inhabitants, Lay, Lord's, Pain, Pained, Performed, Purpose, Purposes, Quakes, Quaketh, Shake, Shaking, Sorrow, Stand, Stood, Tremble, Trembles, Trembleth, Unpeopled, Waste, Writhes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:28

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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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