Jeremiah 51:27-33 – Change before it’s too late.

Babylon would be subject to judgment and here God was summoning the instrument He would use for the task. We see in Jeremiah 51:27-28 God sounding the rallying call. Since ancient wars would begin with sacred rites, the nations that would be used to deal with Babylon were called to commence their rites. The coalition forces that would destroy Babylon comprised the Medes and Persians. Particularly mentioned in verse 27 were Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. These three kingdoms situated in today's Armenia were all nations under the Medes. They were rallied to spearhead the task of devastating Babylon.

 

Meanwhile verses 29-30 describe Babylon trembling and quaking as if she was experiencing an earthquake. This attack by the Allied forces was the design of the Lord. It was His purpose to bring about the downfall of Babylon and make her a desolate wasteland. The fighting spirit of Babylon just melted. They no longer had the resolve to resist the attack. Verse 30 describes the situation this way:  

^“The mighty men of Babylon have ceased fighting,
They stay in the strongholds;
Their strength is exhausted,
They are becoming like women;
Their dwelling places are set on fire,
The bars of her gates are broken.”     

 

Describing Babylon’s courier system, verse 31 pictures messengers passing messages from one to another to bring the news of the total capture of Babylon to the king. Every part of the waterways of the Euphrates was seized, and all her marshes were burnt, and the fighting men were said to be discouraged and petrified. Babylon was soon to be like a threshing floor being prepared for the trampling of the harvested grains. Using these agricultural images, God was telling Babylon that the impending judgment on her was looming soon.  

 

God had in His schedule a time for reckoning. God would call us to account. With wisdom, let us keep short accounts with Him. Be careful how we walk, and take time to align with God’s purpose. Make changes incrementally for the glory of God.  Don’t wait till reckoning time.