Set up a standard] Show the people where they are to assemble.

Say, Babylon is taken] It is a thing so firmly determined, that it is as good as already done.

Bel] The tutelar deity of Babylon is confounded, because it cannot save its own city.

Merodach] Another of their idols, is broken to pieces; it was not able to save itself, much less the whole empire.

Her idols are confounded] It is a reproach to have acknowledged them.

Her images] Great and small, golden and wooden, are broken to pieces; even the form of them no longer appears.

Jer. 50:1-7 The king of Babylon was kind to Jeremiah, yet the prophe must foretell the ruin of that kingdom. If our friends are God' enemies, we dare not speak peace to them. The destruction of Babylon is spoken of as done thoroughly. Here is a word for the comfort of the Jews. They shall return to their God first, then to their own land; the promise of their conversion and reformation makes way for the othe promises. Their tears flow not from the sorrow of the world, as when they went into captivity, but from godly sorrow. They shall seek afte the Lord as their God, and have no more to do with idols. They shal think of returning to their own country. This represents the return of poor souls to God. In true converts there are sincere desires to attai the end, and constant cares to keep in the way. Their present case is lamented as very sad. The sins of professing Christians never wil excuse those who rejoice in destroying them.

Jer. 50:8-20 The desolation that shall be brought upon Babylon is se forth in a variety of expressions. The cause of this destruction is the wrath of the Lord. Babylon shall be wholly desolated; for she hat sinned against the Lord. Sin makes men a mark for the arrows of God' judgments. The mercy promised to the Israel of God, shall not onl accompany, but arise from the destruction of Babylon. These sheep shal be gathered from the deserts, and put again into good pasture. All wh return to God and their duty, shall find satisfaction of soul in s doing. Deliverances out of trouble are comforts indeed, when fruits of the forgiveness of sin.

Jer. 50:21-32 The forces are mustered and empowered to destroy Babylon Let them do what God demands, and they shall bring to pass what he threatens. The pride of men's hearts sets God against them, and ripen them apace for ruin. Babylon's pride must be her ruin; she has bee proud against the Holy One of Israel; who can keep those up whom God will throw down?

Jer. 50:33-46 It is Israel's comfort in distress, that, though they ar weak, their Redeemer is strong. This may be applied to believers, wh complain of the dominion of sin and corruption, and of their ow weakness and manifold infirmities. Their Redeemer is able to keep what they commit to him; and sin shall not have dominion over them. He wil give them that rest which remains for the people of God. Also here is Babylon's sin, and their punishment. The sins are, idolatry an persecution. He that will not save his people in their sins, never wil countenance the wickedness of his open enemies. The judgments of God for these sins will lay them waste. In the judgments denounced agains prosperous Babylon, and the mercies promised to afflicted Israel, we learn to choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rathe than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew