Jeremiah 50:41-46 – It is a fearful thing to fall into God’s hand

In Jeremiah 50:41-46 we see a picture of the attack on Babylon. A people coming from the north of Babylon would come and crush it. Like a sea, they would mercilessly surge forward, attacking the daughters of Babylon meaning the citizens and inhabitants of Babylon. Verse 43 said that Babylon’s king was petrified and turned ashen when news of the attack reached him. Distress would gripe him, and his heart would melt with fear making him feel like a woman travailing in the pain of childbirth.

Whoever God had appointed would come against Babylon to destroy it.  Like a lion, this oppressor would attack Babylon’s capital. And no leader would be able to withstand whom God had appointed. Like a fearful flock, Babylon would have no capability to respond. The whole earth would then tremble when they heard of the desolation of Babylon.

In this passage, God made clear that judgment was coming upon the wicked, even those He had chosen as His instrument to deal with His people. Just because we are God’s instrument does not mean that we can do as we like. We must walk in tandem with Him. For it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God. Who can withstand His wrath? It behoves us therefore to deal with the lingering effect and sin, flee it, and trust God instead and come under His protective hedge in Christ.