Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 7 · Jeremiah · Chapter 50
CHAP. L.
HAving prophesied against all other Nations, mentioned Ch. 25. that should drink of the cup of Gods wrath, now he cometh to Babylon, the last there spoken of under the name of Sheshak.
Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken down. He beginneth much like unto Isa. Vers. 2.46. 1. where the like is said against Bel and Nebo. But here for Nebo is Merodach, thought by some to be another Idol of the Babylonians; by others upon better ground the King of Babylon, that first founded that Monarchy, subduing Assyria unto him; and whereas he was dead long before the destruction Theodor. Calvin. 2 King. 20.of Babylon, and Belshazzar reigned then, for he lived in the daies of Hezekiah, being called Merodach Baladan; Calvin answers well, That he being most famous for his first founding of that Monarchy, was doubtlesse much spoken of even after his death, and as the Assyrians made Belus, from whom the name Bel cometh, the first founder of that Monarchy a god, so probably did the Babylonians honour Merodach still, trusting that the Empire set up by him him should never have an end. And indeed it might seem to humane reason impossible, because Babylon was so mighty a City, and all Nations subject unto it. And this made the Prophet to enter upon this Prophecy with such a Preface, Tell it amongst the Gentiles, hear this, lift up a sign.
Having briefly shewed from whence the ruine of Babylon shall come, even Vers. 3.from the North, that is, the Medes and Persians, as hath been before declared Isa. 13. and is further declared after in this Chapter, he prophesieth of the Vers. 4.Israelites return then to their own Countrey; of which much is spoken before Chap. 30, 31, 32, 33. and specially Chap. 31. 9. where are the same words, They shall come together weeping and going, &c.
Flee out of Babylon, and be as the goats before the flock. So Isa. 48. 20. and he Vers. 8.useth the similitude of he-goats, because sheep are fearfull, and therefore go behinde, but goats not, and therefore go before. See the same phrase used of spiritual Babylon, the seat of Antichrist, Rev. 18. 4.
The hindermost of the Nations shall be a wildernesse. Hebr. Behold the hindermost Vers. 12.of the Nations, a wildernesse; That is, Babylon that was the Lady, shall be the basest, their mother, that is, their monarchical greatness shall be ashamed to see what it is come to.
Compasse her about, her hand is given. That is, after the manner of them that Vers. 15. Calvin.be overcome and yield, the Babylonians lifted up their hands for mercy, or her hand is said to be given, because two Princes of Babylon upon displeasure taken, sent for Cyrus to come against their City, and this may be said a reaching out or giving the hand; So Calvin.
The iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none, for I will pardon, Vers. 20.&c. This may seem to make for the foolish Antinomians of these times, who say, That a justified man is without sin, neither is any thing that he doth sin, contrary to Rom. 7. But it is to be noted, how Israel is said to be without sinne, viz, not because nothing that Israel should henceforth do, was sinfull, Note. but because to the just fied no sin is imputed. And this was the end of their affliction, and because this promise of forgiving sin both here and Chap. 31. 33. imply perfect healing after smiting; this is that which we must aim at in our sufferings, and not so much that our pain and sorrow may cease.
Gg against the Land of Merethaim, and the inhabitants of Pechod. Calvin, The Vers. 21.Land of exasperators, and the inhabitants of visitation, as the words signify, whereby he meaneth Babylon that should be visited for her wickednesses, whereby she had provoked the Lord to anger. And in saying thus, he calleth upon the Medes and Persians, by whom the Lord would punish her in his due time. They were so farre remote indeed that they heard not what the Prophet said, but he that spake by the Prophet, to shew that his words were not a vain sound in the air, made them penetrate to those remote Nations by his Spirit, to the stirring of them up to do this execution.
I have laid also a snare for thee, and thou wert not aware. Hereby the Prophet Vers. 24.foretels the very manner of Babylons destruction, viz. by Cyrus his draining of the water away by many ditches with great labour first made, and then upon the sudden in the night, letting it all out by them, so that the river Euphrates, which ran thorow the City, and filled the broad ditches about it, making it inaccessible, suddenly ran other waies, and so the souldiers ranne in unawares and surprized it, when the defendants were all sleeping securely, and for the strength of the place feared nothing, as hath been more at large shewed before upon Isa. 13. 14. and Ezra 1. 2 King. 25.
Slay all her bullocks. Where by bullocks he understandeth the chief and Vers. 27.mightiest amongst them, wherein their strength chiefly lay.
A sword shall be upon the liers. Calvin reads it Diviners, that is, Astrologers, Vers. 36.who took upon them by the stars to foretell all things touching humane affairs, but more often falsly then truly, for which they are called Liers, Isa. 44. 25. they are the same whom he called before their wise men, vers. 35.
Vers. 39, 40. Touching the overthrow of Babylon, as of Sodom, and wilde beasts dwelling there, see before upon Isa. 13. 19, 21.
Vers. 44, 45. He shall come up like a Lion, &c. These words are the same for two verses together that were used against Edom Chap. 49. 19, 20. therefore see the Exposition of them there.