The Return of God’s People
Open Your Bible
Jeremiah 50:1-46, Jeremiah 51:1-64, Psalm 140:12-13, Romans 12:19-21
BY Rebecca Faires
A long time ago, maybe fifteen years or so, my friends invited me to watch a movie with them. I didn’t check on which movie was playing—who even cared? We settled in, giggling, with popcorn and candy. Then I lifted my eyes to the screen and saw the most terrifying previews of horrible things I had never even imagined—in the previews! I knew for certain that I was not going to stay in my seat, essentially paying my money and my time to be tormented.
The fun and the danger of the world are balanced on a thin line. I wouldn’t have forfeited my eternal soul by viewing such a harrowing film. God isn’t going to yank away my salvation because of a party I went to in college, but our little everyday decisions do set the course of our life. It’s tempting to follow the course of the world and leave the course of godliness for another day.
This passage foretells the judgment God brought against the Babylonian empire. We see its fulfillment in the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon during the time of Daniel. While Babylon feasted, the Medes and Persians invaded and toppled the wicked and unsuspecting empire.
While there is specific fulfillment historically recorded, we also see with great clarity the character of God and His judgments against wickedness itself. As God called His people to depart from wicked Babylon, so He has always called us to be set apart from the world. While we are in the world, we are not of it. We are called to be a peculiar people, a holy priesthood set apart for good works (1 Peter 2:9).
Jeremiah’s call to separate from Babylon is set amidst an overwhelming series of warnings and foretellings of doom. The destruction of Babylon is coming, an unstoppable and devastating judgment. Here we see God’s righteous character, which cannot ignore the wickedness of the world; again and again, He condemns them for their idolatry. He will punish their “carved images” because “the LORD is a God of retribution; he will certainly repay” (Jeremiah 51:52,56). This idea of justice can make us a bit uncomfortable, but it is inseparable from the deliverance that God promises to those who trust Him. He cannot abide evil, because it is evil.
The lure of worldliness promises us gorgeous wealth, pleasure, and power. However, it will ultimately and inevitably result in the loss of what really matters. Lot was lured by the appeal of worldliness when he settled in Sodom (Genesis 13:8–11). It was in a rich land and offered ample opportunities for economic benefit, but as Peter reminds us, “as that righteous man lived among them day by day, his righteous soul was tormented by the lawless deeds he saw and heard” (2 Peter 2:8).
God’s call to His people to flee Babylon is a call not only to flee final desolation that comes to a wicked and perverse culture, but also to flee from the tormenting of our souls by a close association with worldliness. On the other side of this warning, we also see a welcome promise. God doesn’t simply call us away from Babylon; He calls us to something:
“I will return Israel to his grazing land, and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan;
he will be satisfied in the hill country of Ephraim and of Gilead.
In those days and at that time—this is the LORD’s declaration—one will search for Israel’s iniquity, but there will be none,
and for Judah’s sins, but they will not be found,
for I will forgive those I leave as a remnant” (Jeremiah 50:19–20).
His promise is this: while the world offers happiness it cannot fully deliver—not for long, anyway—we find in Christ every satisfaction. He calls us to a place of rest and goodness, where the stain and memory of sin itself has been removed. He is the Shepherd of Israel, who leads us to quiet pastures, and to streams of living waters (Psalm 23).
40 thoughts on "The Return of God’s People"
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So my SRT sisters, I know some of you have given up social media for Lent, but I got on my Facebook page today and found a post from a friend of mine. It apparently was originally posted by Barbara Streisand on March 29 at 11:59 am, it’s also on YouTube, and it’s a must see. A video of Berklee College of Music students doing “What the World Needs Now” as a virtual orchestra and concert. Please take time to watch it, it will brighten your day.
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Rebecca Faires mentions a place God has for us “of rest and goodness, where the stain and memory of sin itself has been removed.” I want to go to this place. God watches over us and despite our shortcomings, sins and bad things we may do loves, protects and even forgives us. Our God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for these sins. I have to remind myself what it’s like to loose a child — my oldest son died in 2003 — and know that God’s hurt and pain would be even greater than this, probably 100 times greater. Jesus died so that I and the rest of the world that believes, you my sisters, may have eternal life. I feel this is the greatest sacrifice anyone can make for anyone else.
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Thank you to those who have posted how hard these readings have been for them to especially in this time. I have been struggling reading each day and though my faith is strong it has been a real struggle to want to go past and just read your posts. Thank you sisters, may you and your loved ones stay well. God is good all the time.
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Just a thought to help us stay positive: “Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that is in us.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Sisters, “winter” may be coming, a reference familiar to those of you who are (were) fans of the show “Game of Thrones”, but as I look out of my window today and see daffodils and crocuses blooming, I am reminded that, while a metaphorical “winter” may be upon us, spring is really here! Our God is really here and He is in control of all things, always. No “winter” can nor ever will alter this truth. As Christians, let us take great comfort in that. Let us also remain hopeful because we serve a faithful, loving God, the great stiller of storms, the Prince of Peace.
Stay hopeful, sisters. Easter is almost here!
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I like the NIV version of Psalm 23:2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters”. I need to be still and know that He is God! He is in control. Yesterday we found out that we are closed for the rest of the school year. I have to admit I lost it. I miss those little kindergartners so much! My daughter will not have an eighth grade graduation ceremony. Even then I know that God is in control and it is for our safety and the safety of others but I’m still sad. And that’s OK. I am not angry with God. He knows what is best for his children. I’m thankful that I have both my children here with me even my college boy had to come home. This mama is going to enjoy her children!
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I’ve really struggled with the last week’s readings; it seemed like God switched Jeremiah from prophecies about Israel’s desctruction to everybody else nearby’s destruction. Today’s passage threw me again-I understand that Babylon worshipped idols and was evil, but it also seems like God is punishing them for the way they overtook Israel and destroyed them. Isn’t that something He allowed/caused as punishment for Israel’s sin? Why is Israel all of a sudden the victim? I don’t know if that’s a question that really has an answer, but if anyone has a thought, I’d be curious to know it.
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It may be that God uses those who injure us for our own discipline, to expose the disordered desires in our own hearts, but He is still going to punish the wrong done against us. Romans 12:19-21.
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I see a bit of a different perspective here… Could these verses be a picture of restoration, a homecoming for Israel? Because in Jer 29 God was telling Israel to bless the city they were in, Babylon, but now it’s the time to be restored to the land of Israel. We are in exile here and are to bless the cities where we live, but someday there will be a homecoming, a restoration. So, yes, it’s hard right now but we have a hope for a glorious restoration. Easter secures the hope of that Day!
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Ashley you are not alone
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