Day 218 - Reading schedule: Jeremiah 49-50

Jeremiah 49: Prophecy of the destruction of the nations

[Content Overview] This chapter records God's judgment on the countries around Israel that have traditionally had deep political and social relationships with Israel. These countries, located on the outskirts of Israel, were sometimes directly hostile to Israel based on political motives, and sometimes indirectly hostile to God by mocking Israel's suffering. But now God himself became their avenger, showing that God's care for Israel still remains. These chapters include the declaration of judgment against Ammon (verses 1-6), the declaration of judgment against Edom (verses 7-22), the declaration of judgment against Damascus (verses 23-27), and the declaration of judgment against Kedar and Hazor (verses 28-33), and a declaration of judgment on Elam (verses 34-39). Through the above contents, the author presents the basis on which Judah, a covenant people, must be judged through the specific sins of the countries surrounding Judah, and at the same time, not only Israel but also Gentiles are given the qualifications to participate in forming God's new covenant community in the future.

Jeremiah 50: Babylon's Destruction Prophecy 

[Content Overview] This chapter describes the fall of Babylon. Babylon, which has been designated as God's tool of judgment against the various Gentile nations mentioned so far, also receives God's judgment due to its severe idolatry and pride. God strengthens the nation of Persia (cf. Isaiah 45:1) and uses it as a tool. God's providence, like rain, is ultimately a plan with the restoration of Israel, the covenant people, in mind. God is once again showing his mysterious providence and love to the Israelites, who are already faced with destruction and have been excluded from any elements of hope, leading them to find comfort even in the midst of their miserable reality. This chapter contains the first half (verses 1-16), which states the prophecy of Babylon's destruction and God's circumstantial providence accordingly, and the middle part (verses 17-32), which describes the prophecy of the restoration of Jerusalem and the judgment of Babylon and the cause thereof, and the second half (verses 33-46) which once again mentions the prophecy of judgment against Babylon. In this way, through the prophecy of the fall of Babylon, this chapter clearly shows that the prophecies of judgment on the Gentiles so far are ultimately closely related to the restoration of Israel.