Jeremiah 51:52

 Jeremiah 51:52 says, Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.  God warned the Babylonians that the day was coming when He would bring judgment on all the graven images, just as He will with all graven images one day when Jesus Christ returns.  God also said the wounded people, those who had not put their faith in Him, would groan.  Verse fifty-three declares, Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.  God told the Babylonians that no matter how much they fortified themselves militarily that they were still going to be defeated.  No matter how powerful a country may become today it will never stand against God's coming judgment.   Verse fifty-four adds, A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:   God said there would come a cry from Babylon at the coming destruction, just as we are told there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth by the lost when Jesus Christ returns in judgment.   Verse fifty-five continues, Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:  God said that He was the one responsible for their destruction, no matter who might be 5he ones to defeat them.  Verse fifty-six says,Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.  The people of Babylon were told that all their bows would be broken and her mighty men taken, and that it was because of God's judgment.  When God's judgment comes, all the weapons used against God will be useless and all those who think of themselves as powerful people who stand against Him shall bee defeated.   Verse fifty-seven adds, And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.  God said that all those who were in power in Babylon were going to die like drunken men.  No matter how wise or powerful someone may feel that he or she is today, he or she is like a drunk person when denying the authority of God.  Veree fifty-eight declares, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.   God said there was to be a total destruction of Babylon, which would include their cities and the people.   Nothing nor anyone can stand against God's judgment.   Verse fifty-nine states, The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And this Seraiah was a quiet prince.  Verse sixty adds, So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon.  We are told of one particular time frame when Jeremiah prophesied the word of God against Babylon and that he wrote the prophesy in a book.  We today have God's word written for us in the Bible, and we should read and learn from it.  The Bible contains the truth of God's word to all people, but it is up to each individual to either accept or reject it.  Verse sixty-one states, And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;  Verse sixty-two adds, Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.  Jeremiah was sending Seraiah to read the words he had written to the people of Babylon and he was to make sure that they knew that it was God's word that was being read.  For the Bible to have any real impact in our lives today, we must acknowledge that it is God's word.  Verse sixty-three says,  And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:  Then verse sixty-four adds, And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.  Jeremiah told Seraiah that after he read the book that he was to tie a stone to it and throw it into the Euphrates, and that its sinking would symbolize the sinking of Babylon. 

Jeremiah 51:29

 Jeremiah 51:29 says, And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.  The destruction of Babylon would be a total destruction.  Verse thirty states, The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.  Verse thirty-one adds, One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,  God said the brave men would lose their bravery and that those on post, or wa5ch, would run to the next post sending messengers to the king telling him that his cities were being taken.  Verse thirty two continues, And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.  The king was to be told that everything was being destroyed and that the men of war were frightened.  I am not sure that I would want to be the one to deliver this message to a king, but we as Christians have a message about the coming destruction of all who defy God today and we must be willing to deliver it to everyone that we can.  Verse thirty-three declares, For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.  The God of Israel,  the only true God,  said that soon Babylon would be like a threshing floor.  Verse thirty-four adds, Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.  God said that Nebuchadrezzar had defeated His people.   Though this says that Nebuchadrezzar had defeated and crushed God, it could only be that he had defeated God's people.  Verse thirty-five continues, The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.  God said that the Babylonians would be held responsible for what they had done to His people.   God will likewise one day hold everyone who attempts to harm or destroy His people today responsible.   Verse thirty-six says, Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.   God said that He would plead the cause of His people, just as He does for Christians today.  We stand by the fact that God has made salvation possible, and we will stand with Him forever no matter what happens in this world if we truly put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty-seven adds, And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.  Verse thirty-eight continues, They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps.  God continues to tell Jeremiah how the people of Babylon would fall.  Verse thirty-nine states, In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.  God said that the men of Babylon would be drinking and fall asleep, but they would never wake from that sleep, because the coming army would destroy them.   Verse forty declares, I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.  God said that they might see themselves as lions,but to Him they were like sheep led to the slaughter.  No matter how powerful those who defy God may believe they are today, they are like helpless sheep before God.  Verse forty-one asks, How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!  God said other people around Babylon would ask how they had fallen.  Verse forty-two says,The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.  God said that Babylon would look as if it had been swallowed up by the sea.  Verse forty-three adds, Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby.  God then said Babylon would be a land where no one lived.  No one can survive the coming judgment of God unless he or she accepted Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior and Lord.   Verse forty-four declares, And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.  God said that the nations would no longer look to Babylon for help or as a source of concern.  Verse forty-five continues, My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.  God called on His people to get out of Babylon, just as we must get out of the world today spiritually.   We can no longer look to the world for protection or deliverance, but must trust in God alone.  Verse forty-six states, And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.  God said that His people should not fear the rumors that were coming.  We likewise as Christians hear rumors of destruction today,  but we are not to fear them.  One day, the end is coming to this old world, but as followers of Christ we have nothing to fear.  Verse forty-seven declares, Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.  God said there could be a certainty that His judgment was coming on Babylon, just as we can be certain that His judgment is coming on the whole world when He decides the time is right.  Verse forty-eight adds Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.  God said the heaven and the earth would sing for Babylon, because the spoiler had come.  The fall of Babylon would be noted everywhere.   Verse forty-nine says, As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.  God said that just as Babylon had caused the slain of Israel to fall, so would Babylon fall.  God may have allowed Babylon to defeat the people of Judah and Israel because of their idolatry, but that did not mean that they had somehow become His chosen people.   The world may defeat and destroy Christians today, but if they do, it will be a hollow victory.  God's judgment will come one day.   Verse fifty states, Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.  God calls on the people of Israel who had survived the sword, or in other words who were still alive, to remember their land.  If we find the world today to be almost overpowering, we need to simply remember that we serve the all-powerful God.  Verse fifty-one adds, We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’s house.  God said that when the people of Israel remembered their land that it should cause them shame because they had caused it to fall due to their idolatry.  If we fail in our relationship to God today and then  return to Him for forgiveness, it should bring us shame that we allowed the things of this world to come between God and us.

Jeremiah 52:1

Jeremiah 52:1 says, Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.  This is back to the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah.  His was a very bad reign.  Verse two adds, And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.  We are told that during his reign, Zedekiah did all that was evil in the sight of God.  He was compared to Jehoiakim, during whose reign the people of Judah and Jerusalem had already suffered defeat.  Verse three continues, For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.  God said that because of His anger against Zedekiah and the people of Judah and Jerusalem that He cast them out.  They were God's chosen people,  but they were not choosing to be obedient to Him.   We cannot be God's people in name alone if we are to be successful in our Christian journey.  Verse four states, And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.  During the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah,  Nebuchadrezzar came to seize Jerusalem and the rest of Judah.  Matthew Henry says that Zedekiah's greatest sin was to rebel against Nebuchadrezzar,  whom God had told him through the prophesy of Jeremiah not to do.  Verse five adds, So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.  Jerusalem was under siege for about seven years.  Zedekiah resisted surrendering to Nebuchadrezzar for as long as he could,  even though God had told him not to.   We need to make sure that we do not attempt to hold on to things that God tells us to let go of.  Verse six adds, And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.  The people of Jerusalem were basically without enough food for several months that year.  We should be careful that we never allow ourselves to starve spiritually by not feasting on God's word.   Verse seven continues, Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king’s garden; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain. We are told that at the end of those months that the men of war fled Jerusalem, attempting to slip away safely.   There is no way that we can slip away from God's punishment, except through accepting God's word, which calls us to salvation through Jesus Christ.  We cannot make our own way.  Verse eight says, But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.  As was already stated in a previous chapter, Zedekiah and his army were overtaken by Nebuchadrezzar.  Of our own ability, we will never escape the judgment of God when He sends it, and the people of Judah and Jerusalem had already been told that God was going to allow them to be defeated by the Babylonians.   Verse nine adds, Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.  Zedekiah was captured and carried before Nebuchadrezzar, who sat in judgment over him.  Verse ten continues, And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.  Once again we are told that Zedekiah's sons were slain as he watched.  Verse eleven concludes, Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.  Zedekiah was then blinded, chained and thrown into prison until he died.  He had refused to listen to Jeremiah when he told him to surrender to Nebuchadrezzar, and he paid a terrible price because of his refusal.   Those who fail to listen to God's call to salvation today will pay an even greater price, which is everlasting punishment separated from God and His mercy.

Jeremiah 51:14

 Jeremiah 51:14 adds, The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.  God is still speaking about Babylon.  Verse fifteen adds, He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.  God said that He was the Creator of everything, and we either believe that or we don't.  Whether we believe it or not does not change that fact.  Verse sixteen continues, When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.  This is a further statement of the power of God.  Verse seventeen states, Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.  God said that men were brutish, or stubborn, in their worship of idols, or false gods, because these idols have no life in them.  Verse eighteen adds, They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.  God said that these idols were a vanity, or nothing, and that when they were needed that they would vanish.  Idols, which are all things we put our faith in instead God, will always fail to save us spiritually.   Verse nineteen declares, The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.  God said the people of Jacob, those who had entered into a covenant relationship with Him, were not like the Babylonians, who hadn't.   What separates Christians from the rest of the world is their relationship with God.   Verse twenty adds, Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;  God said the descendants of Jacob, His covenant people, were the ones that He was going to use to defeat the powers of the world that stood against Him, and this would be done by His power and plan.  Verse twenty-one continues, And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;  When we stand by faith in God today, there is no power that can defeat us in the end.  No matter how bad things may look in the eyes of the world, through faith in Christ we have an everlasting victory.  Verse twenty-two says, With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;  Verse twenty-three adds, I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and hiss flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers. God said that He would defeat all who stood against Him, and He did this by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  God does not bring us victory by military might, but by faith in Jesus Christ alone.   Verse twenty-four declares, And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.  God said that the Babylonians were going to be punished for their war against His people.   Though the Babylonians may have been allowed to defeat the people of Judah because they had turned away from God, it was not to be an everlasting victory.  Those people of Judah and Israel who either remained true to God or returned to Him by faith were still the people that God had chosen to work through.   We as followers of Christ today are the people that God will work through to reach the world with the gospel.   Verse twenty-five adds, Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt  mountain.  God said that even though the Babylonians might think of themselves as a mighty mountain He would break them down like simple stones.  Verse twenty-six continues, And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD.  God said when He broke the Babylonians down that there would be no way for them to be built up again.  When God one day comes in judgment, those people and things that He tears down will be torn down forever.   Verse twenty-seven states, Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.  God told the Babylonians to get ready for the coming war.

Jeremiah 51:1

 Jeremiah 51:1 says, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;  God may have allowed Babylon to defeat Judah, but that did not mean that He was going to allow them to stand against Him unpunished forever.  Verse two adds, And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.  God said that there would be enemies on every side of Babylon like a great wind blowing against them.  Those that stand 8n opposition to God may be successful for awhile, but ultimately they will face His judgment.  Verse three states, Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.  God said that although Babylon had thought of themselves as powerful because of their military might that those coming against them would defeat them.  Verse four adds, Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.  God said that instead of being viewed as a powerful nation that Babylon would be viewed as a stain in the word after  its defeat.  When powerful countries fall, the rest of the world usually looks down on them, even if they themselves are really no better.  Verse five declares, For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.  God said that He had not completely forsaken Isreal and Judah, even though they had been filled with sin against Him.  God had allowed Babylon to defeat Isreal and Judah, but that did not mean that they were not still His chosen people.  They were the ones that God had chosen to work through to reveal Himself to the world, just as we are as followers of Christ today.  Verse five says, Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.  The people of Babylon were told to flee from there, because God was going to give them their recompense.  If we find ourselves in a place full of sin today,  we need to get away from it spiritually even if we cannot physically.  Verse seven states, Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.  God had worked through Babylon to accomplish His will, just as He may work through what is being done by the lost people today to accomplish His purpose, but that does not free them from the penalty of their sins.  Verse eight adds, Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.  God said the fall of Babylon would be sudden.  Verse nine declares, We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.  God said that He would have healed Babylon, I believe if they had turned to Him in faith.   God will likewise heal anyone from the sin in his or her life today if he or she will only reach out to Jesus Christ by faith.  Verse ten adds, The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.  The people of Israel and Judah were called on to give praise to God for delivering them, just as we as Christians should give praise to God for delivering us today.  Verse eleven states, Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.  God said that He had raised up the Medes to punish the Babylonians.   The people of Babylon might have seemed powerful to the world,  but they were powerless when standing against God.  Verse twelve adds, Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.  God said that no matter what the people of Babylon did to stand and fight against His coming judgment that it would be of no use.  Verse thirteen continues,O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.  Babylon may have been rich and powerful,  but God said that was coming to an end.  No matter how rich and powerful a person or nation may view themselves to be today, when God's judgment comes on them they will find out just how powerless they really are. 

Jeremiah 50:29

 Jeremiah 50:29 says, Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.   God said that all those from Babylon that had stood against Him were to be called together.   Verse thirty adds, Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.  They weren't being called together for victory, but for defeat.  One day, all those who oppose God will face the same fate.  Verse thirty-one declares,  Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee.  God said He was against the people of Babylon who He called the most proud.   Countries today that stand against God often take great pride in their military might, but on judgment day they will find out how little it is really worth.  Verse thirty-two adds, And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.  God said that those who were most proud and stood against Him would fall and their cities would be burned.   Verse  thirty-three states, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.  God said that His chosen people had been taken and held captive.  We as Christians today are not exempt from being imprisoned for our faith, but even if it we are, the victory is still ours.  Verse thirty-four declares, Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.  God said that the Redeemer of the people of Israel and Judah, all of God's chosen people, was strong and would plead their case.  This Redeemer is Jesus Christ and He pleads the case of all who put their faith in Him before God today.  Verse thirty-five adds, A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men.  Verse thirty-six continues, A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.  Verse thirty-seven concludes, A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.  God pronounced judgment on all the forces of Babylon that thought themselves to be so smart and powerful.   No matter how smart and powerful people may think they are today, if they stand against God and oppress His people, one day they will face His judgment and punishment.   Verse thirty-eight states, A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.  Not only was the army of the Babylonians going to be destroyed,  but the land itself was going to suffer a drought because of their idolatry.  Verse thirty-nine adds, Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.  God said the land of the Babylonians was to be completely devoid of people.  Verse forty says, As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.  God said the destruction of Babylon was going to be as great as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Verse forty-one declares, Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. Verse forty-two adds, They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.  God said that just as Babylon had been mighty against its enemies, so was the army coming against it going to be even stronger.  No person or country is strong enough to stand against God when He sends His judgment against them, and one day all will stand before Him in judgment.   Verse forty-three states, The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.  God said that when the king of Babylon heard of the coming army that he become  very weak before them.  When those who oppose God and refuse to accept the salvation that He has made available to them one day stand before Him in judgment, they will discover how powerless they really are.   Verse forty-four states, Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me   God asked who could stand before Him, and the answer is no one.  Verse forty-five adds, Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.  Verse forty-six concludes, At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.  God said that the destruction of Babylon would be so complete that other nations would cry at how great the destruction was.

Jeremiah 50:17

 Jeremiah 50:17 says, Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.   God said the people of Israel were like sheep that had been scattered. They had stopped listening to His voice and following His leadership when this happened.  When we, as followers of Christ who are called the sheep of God's pasture, cease to follow His voice, we too can be scattered and defeated by the powers of this world.  Verse eighteen adds, Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.  God said the king of Babylon would be punished as the king of Assyria had been,  God may have allowed these countries to defeat Israel,  but that did not mean that He held them harmless.   Verse nineteen continues, And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.  God said that He was going to restore the people of Israel to the land He had given them and I believe this was because they were now listening to His voice once more.   Verse twenty states, In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.  God said that He would forgive their iniquity and remember it no more.  Again, I believe this was after the people of Israel came to God in repentance and faith.  Through faith in Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven and forgotten, but they can never be just ignored without that faith.  Verse twenty-one says, Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.  God said that they could go up against the people who had taken their land and be successful if they followed His command.  If we are to be successful in our fight against sin and evil today, we must put our faith in Christ and obey God's word to us.   Verse twenty-two adds, A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.  God said the sound of battle was already in the land.   Verse twenty-three asks, How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!  I believe that God was saying that people would ask how Babylon could have been destroyed.  Verse twenty-four declares, I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.  God said that He had defeated them and they weren't even aware that it was happening.  The countries today that stand against God have already been defeated when God's judgment comes and they don't even know it.  Verse twenty-five adds, The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.  God said that they were defeated by His power, and if we are going to defeat the power of sin in the world today, it will be through the power of God.  We cannot do it by our own ability.  Verse twenty-six state, Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.  Verse twenty-seven adds, Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.  God told the people of Israel to completely destroy the people of Babylon, just as we must completely destroy sin in our life today if we are to successfully follow Christ.   Verse twenty-eight says, The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.  God said that those who escaped would proclaim His power and not the power of the people of Israel.   When we overcome sin and the forces of evil today, we must make sure that we give God the credit. 

Jeremiah 50:1

 Jeremiah 50:1 says, The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.  God was now speaking His word against Babylon.  Matthew Henry points out that the king of Babylon had been good to Jeremiah, but that Jeremiah still had to prophesy against him.  We cannot allow personal friendship to keep us from proclaiming God's word to people.  Verse two adds, Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.  The destruction of Babylon was spoken of as an accomplished fact.  The coming destruction of all who deny God and who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord is just as certain.  Verse three continues, For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.  The country that would destroy them was to the north.  At least they were told where to expect the destruction to come from.  Verse four declares, In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.  God said that at the time of the destruction of Babylon that all the remaining chosen people of God, both Israel and Judah, would come to Him in repentance seeking Him once more.  If we stray away from God as Christians, we must return in repentance to Him.  Verse five adds, They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.  God said that at this time they would ask the way to Zion and once again enter into a personal covenant relationship with God.  The only way to find our way to heaven is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   Verse six states, My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.  God said that His people had gone astray and that they had been led astray by their shepherds, the priests and religious leaders of Israel and Judah.  Verse seven adds, All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.  While under God's judgment for their disobedience the people of Israel and Judah were powerless, just as we are today without God's protection.  Verse eight declares, Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks.  Verse nine adds, For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.  God told the people of Israel and Judah, who had returned to Him, to get out of Babylon because it was going to be destroyed.  We as followers of Christ today are to be in the world but not of the world,  because God's destruction is coming to this world one day.  Verse ten continues,  And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.  God said that Babylon would become a spoil of war to those who were going to defeat them.  Kingdoms come and go, but God and His word are eternal.   Verse eleven states, Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;  Verse twelve adds,, Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.  God said that those who had defeated His people and grown fat doing so were about to be destroyed.  Verse thirteen states, Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.  God said no one in Babylon would be spared His judgment and punishment.  Even if God works through lost people of the world to accomplish His will it doesn't mean that they will suddenly become acceptable to Him.  Verse fourteen adds, Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.  God called on people to unite against Babylon because she had sinned against Him.  Verse fifteen continues, Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.  Verse sixteen concludes, Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.  God said that the coming destruction of Babylon would be complete, just as the coming destruction of all who do not put their faith in God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will one day be complete,

Jeremiah 49:23

 Jeremiah 49:23 says, Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.  This is the judgment that God spoke against Syria, another long time enemy of Israel.   They did not believe in God but worshipped false gods instead.  No matter how long it takes,  God's judgment will one day come to all people, if not in this life then in the one to come.  Verse twenty-four adds, Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.  God said that the people of Damascus would be left in fear and anguish.  Verse twenty-five asks  How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!  God said that the people would ask how Damascus, which had been a city of joy, which I believe would have been based on material things, could have fallen so badly.  If our joy is based on material things, then one day it will pass away.  Verse twenty-five continues, Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.  Verse twenty-six concludes, And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.  God said that the youhg and the powerful men of  Damascus would be cut off and the walls of Damascus and the palaces of Benhadad would be burned down.  Their army nor their government could save them.  If we put our faith in the military or even in the government today and they are not following God's will, then we like all of thse who stand against God will fall.  Verse twenty-eight states, Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.  Matthew Henry says these were nomadic people who had no army and that they didn't trade with other nations.  Just because people isolate themselves from the rest of the world, if they do not follow God, they too will one day fall.  Veree twenty-nine adds, Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side.   Nebuchadnezzar was going to take their possessions as well.  They may not have been a military threat, but they did have a lot of material wealth.  Like military might, our material wealth can never save us from the judgment of God.   Veree thirty declares, Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.  God warned them of the coming destruction, just as He warns people today.  Verse thirty-one adds, Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.  God said that they had no defenses and the fact that they lived alone would not save them.  We have no defense if we do not put our faith in God today.   Verse thirty-two continues, And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD.  God said that He was behind their coming defeat.   Verse thirty-three concludes, And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide therea nor any son of man dwell in it.  Though the people of Hazor might not be killed, they were going to lose all their possessions and their city.   Verse thirty-four declares, The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,   Verse thirty-five adds, Thus. saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. This was God's judgment against Elam, as proclaimed by Jeremiah.   Verse thirty-six says, And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.  God said that He was going to scatter them to the four winds, or into all nations.  Verse thirty-seven adds, For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:   God said that He was behind their defeat.  God will ultimately judge all nations and all the people of every nation,  and if the people have not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then they too will find everlasting destruction.  Verse thirty-eight declares,  And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.  God said that He would set His throne in Edom and all who stood against Him would be destroyed.   One day,  God is going to set His throne of judgment over every person who has ever or will ever live.  Verse thirty-nine concludes, But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.  God said that one day He would restore the people of Edom.  If we put our faith in Jesus Christ, no matter what happens to us in this world, God will one day gather us again into His kingdom. 

Jeremiah 49:7

 Jeremiah 49:7 says, Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?   The next country that God spoke about was Edom.  God asked if any wisdom was left jn Teman.  When people do not acknowledge God, there can be no wisdom.  Verse eight adds, Flee, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.  God said that they would be punished as Esau had.  Esau was punished because of his failure to truly fo)low God with all his heart and for allowing things of the world that brought him momentary satisfaction to become most important to him.  The Edomites, Esau's descendants were going to at last be judged,, because they were same way as Esau had been.  Verse nine asks, If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.  God asked if did not those who gathered grapes leave a gleaning and if did not even thieves leave something behind.  Verse ten states, But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.  God then said because of their sins that nothing was going to be left of the people of Edom.  There will be nothing left of those who do not accept salvation through faith in Christ in God's kingdom.   Verse eleven declares, Leave thy fatherless children, I will  preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.  God said that He would protect the fatherless children and the widows.   God will likewise take care of those we leave behind after we die if we and they put our faith 8n Him.  Verse twelve declares, For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.  God said that the people of Edom would bear the responsibility for their sins.  Veree thirteen adds, For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.  God said that He had sworn by His own nature that this punishment was coming.  Verse fourteen states, I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.  Verse fifteen adds, For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.  God said that He would make the people of Edom small among the heathen and despised by men.  The Edomites, the descendants of Esau, should have been following God, but they weren't.  Many people today who should find it easy to acknowledge God because of their families simply refuse to do so, and one day God's judgment will fall on them.  Verse sixteen says, Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.  God said that they might feel safe in their hiding places, but there was no safe place for them.  Verse seventeen adds, Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.  God said that everyone would marvel at the destruction of Edom.  Verse eighteen continues, As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.  God said the destruction of Edom would be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.   Verse nineteen states, Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?  God asked who could stand before Him in battle,  and the answer is no one.  Verse twenty adds, Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.  Verse twenty-one continues, The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.  God said that everyone would hear of the fall of Edom.  Verse twenty-two concludes, Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.  God said that when this invading army came that the men of Edom who thought they were great would have the heart of a woman in her pangs.  So will everyone who has stood against God lose all their strength when God's judgment comes.

Jeremiah 49:1

 Jeremiah 49:1 says, Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?  The Ammonites were neighbors of the two tribes and half tribe on the other side of the Jordan and were bad neighbors as Matthew Henry states.  They were imposing on the land of Gad, and God asked if there were no Isa4ealites left to own the land.  Verse two adds, Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.  God said that His judgment was coming and that the Ammonites would be destroyed and Israel restored to rightful ownership.  When God's judgment one day comes, those who are followers of Christ will be restored to the rightful possession of a land that has been wrongfully taken from them by those who do not believe in God or who believe in false gods. Verse three states, Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.  God said that the Ammonites would be filled with nothing but grief and despair over what was about to happen.  Verse four adds, Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?  Matthew Henry says that the Ammonites were descendants of Lot, and even though they were never in a covenant relationship with God but they knew of God before they knew the idols they worshipped.  God makes Himself known to every person, and if they choose to ignore Him and worship idols the are guilty of backsliding, or turning away from God.  Verse five declares, Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.  God said He would scatter the Ammonites and no one could gather them again.  God's judgment will never be defeated by any power ot people of the world.   Verse six adds, And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.  God said that those Ammonites who remained would be brought into captivity under the Israelite.  God's people will always be victorious in the end as long as they continue to put their faith in Him.

Jeremiah 48:38

 Jeremiah 48:38 says, There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.  The destruction was to be throughout the land of Moab as well,  where they had rejoiced they would now mourn.  Verse thirty-nine says, They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.  God said that the people of other nations would laugh at the people of Moab, asking how they could have fallen so greatly.  We as followers of Christ should never laugh at the destruction of others, but when a nation or person who was once great falls, those who are not His followers often rejoice at their falling.  Verse forty states, For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.  God said the coming destruction would be as fast and powerful as an eagle.  Verse forty-one adds, Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.  The Moabites had put their faith in false gods and delighted in standing against Egypt, but they were about to realize how wrong they were.  Their mighty men would be crying out like a woman in labor.  No matter how powerful a nation or a person may think they are today, when God's judgment comes, if they have not accepted salasvation through faith in Jesus Christ as individuals or lived by His guidance as a nation, they will suffer total defeat at His judgment.  Verse forty-two says, And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.  The reason for the destruction of Moab was stated very clearly.  It was because they magnified themselves against the LORD.  Many nations today stand in total opposition to God, and one day they will realize how wrong they were.  Verse forty-three adds, Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.  God said that they would try to hide in the pit, but that they would not be successful.  There is nowhere that someone can escape from God's judgment.  Verse forty-four continues, He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.  God said that His coming judgment of Moab was certain, just as His coming judgment of all people is certain.   Verse forty-five concludes,  They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.  God said that they would flee to their fortified cities seeking security, but that it would not be found.  Verse forty-six declares, Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.  Verse forty-seven adds, Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.  God said that there was coming a day when the people of Moab,  like the people of Israel, would be restored.  Matthew Henry says this likely points to the way that Gentiles can find salvation through Christ just as the Jews can.  It is always about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ if we are to avoid everlasting punishment. 

Jeremiah 48:26

 Jeremiah 48:26 says, Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.  God said that since the people of Moab had magnified themselves against Him that they would be made as drunken people.  The result of defyfing God will never be pretty when His judgment comes.  Verse twenty-seven asks, For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.  God asked if the people of Moab had not viewed Israel with derision.  The Moabites had danced in joy at the suffering of the people of Israel.  Some people today delight when Christians suffer, but they will one day realize how foolish they were.  Verse twenty-eight declares, O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole’s mouth.  The people of Moab were warned to leave their cities and to hide out in the rocks, or mountains. Verse twenty-nine adds, We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.  God said He was aware of the arrogance and pride of the Moabites in their attitude toward the people of Israel.  Saying "We have heard" does not mean more than one God but is an empirical We.  Verse thirty states, I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall nlot so effect it.  God said that He knew that the reason for the people of Moab laughing at the distress of the people of Israel really came from a hatred for them.  There are many people today who enjoy seeing Christians in distress, but whether they want to acknowledge it or not, God is watching.  Verse thirty-one adds, Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres. Verse thirty-two continues, O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.  God does not delight in the destruction of those who will not believe in Him, but He will not simply overlook sin.  Verse thirty-three says, And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.  God said the Moabites would no longer enjoy a plentiful harvest.  Though He may not always do so immediately, one day God will take away all the pleasure and security that people think they have found outside of faith in and obedience to God.  Verse thirty-four adds, From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.  God said their suffering would be great, just as the suffering of those who do not believe in Jesus Christ will one day be great and everlasting.  Verse thirty-five states, Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.  God said that He was going to cause those who worshipped other gods to cease to exist.  Verse thirty-six adds, Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.  Verse thirty seven concludes, For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.  God said that all the people of Moab would be in mourning because they lost all of the things that they had put their faith in.

Jeremiah 48:10

 Jeremiah 48:10 says, Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.  God said that those who did the work of the LORD were cursed if they only claimed to do so.  Anyone claiming to do God's work when they really aren't needs to be aware that God will not allow this to go unnoticed.  Matthew Henry says that this also applied to people who were not willing to fight for God.  Verse eleven adds. Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.  God said that Moab had long lived in peace.  Even though they stood against the people of Israel,  they had been prosperous, just as many nations are today.  Verse twelve states, Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.  God said that His judgment was coming on Moab, and when it did, it would cause them to wonder at what He had done, and then would lead to their wandering.  Verse thirteen adds, And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.  God said that the people of Moab would be as ashamed of Chemosh as the people of Israel  were of Bethel which they had put their confidence in at one time.  Verse fourteen asks, How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?  God was asking them how they thought that their military power would bring them security when they stood against God.  No matter how long a country may be powerful, if they stand against God, one day His judgment is going to come.  Verse fifteen declares, Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.  God said that the coming destruction of Moab was a certainty, just as the destruction of all who oppose God is a certainty today, even if it doesn't come immediately.   Veree sixteen adds, The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.  God warned the people of Moab that their destruction was fast approaching.  Verse seventeen says,  All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!  God said that all those around Moab would bemoan them and ask how they could have fallen, since they had been so strong.  Verse eighteen states, Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.  Verse nineteen adds, O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?  God said as the safe places of Moab fell and the people fled, those who saw them were to ask them what happened.   Verse twenty continues, Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,  Moab was to be in confusion because it was broken down by its enemies.  Verse twenty-one declares, And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,  God said that His judgment had come on them.  When God's judgment ultimately comes, all that stand against Him will fall.  Verse twenty-two adds, And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,  Verse twenty-three continues, And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul, and upon Bethmeon,  Verse twenty-four continues Verse twenty-four concludes, And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.  God's judgment was  not going  to spare any part of Moab, and none who stand against Him today will be spared when His final judgment comes.  Verse twenty-five states, The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.  God said all the power of Moab would be gone.

Jeremiah 48:1

 Jeremiah 48:1 says, Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.  God now had Jeremiah prophesy against Moab.  God will send His judgment against not some who defy Him, but against all who do.  Verse two adds, There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.  People of the world may have praised Moab, but God said they no longer would.  There are countries today that the world may praise or fear, but if they stand against God, then their destruction will one day come.  God's rule and judgment is universal.  Verse three  states, A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.  God said that cries of mourning would soon come from the cities of Moab.  Verse four adds, Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.  Moab was to be destroyed, and her young ones would cause their cry to be heard.   The people of Moab had worshipped false gods, and now even their children would cry out in despair.  We need to teach our children about God, and if we do not and they follow the false gods of the world, then one day they will cry out in despair when God's judgment comes, and it will certainly come.  Verse five continues, For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.  God said that the weeping would be throughout the land because of the destruction in Moab.  Verse six declares, Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.  The people of Moab were warned to flee, but there is no place that anyone can flee to escape God's coming judgment.  The only way to avoid everlasting punishment is to flee to Jesus Christ and not away from Him.  Verse seven adds, For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.  God said that they were going to be defeated because they put their faith in their works and wealth.  No matter how much money or power a person has in the world today, putting one's faith in it will never bring security outside the will of God.  Verse eight says, And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.  The destruction of Moab was to be a total destruction, just as all the works against God will one day be totally destroyed and those who put their faith in them will go away to everlasting destruction.   Verse nine adds, Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.  God said the people of Moab would have to fly away in order to avoid the coming destruction.

Jeremiah 47:1

 Jeremiah 47:1 says, The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.  Jeremiah now heard God's word against the Philistines.  The Philistines had always been enemies of the people of Judah, and the Pharaoh of Egypt would evidently defeat them.  Verse two adds, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.  Still, Matthew Henry says this word from God came while the Philistines were still at full strength and probably before Jerusalem fell.  The Philistines were told that there was a great power to the north, the Chaldeans, who were coming to destroy them.   Sometimes God's enemies destroy themselves even today.   Verse three continues, At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;  God warned them that fathers would abandon their children out of fear.  Matthew Henry says this means that the men would cry like children, but also that they would abandon their children without even looking back at them.  Some people today put self preservation above everything and everyone, even family.  Verse four declares, Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.  Jeremiah was to tell the Philistines that their coming defeat was a judgment of God.  Just because God punishes and destroys one of His enemies doesn't mean that others are safe.  Even if God works through some of His enemies to punish and destroy others, that does not mean that they will escape His judgment forever.  Verse  five adds, Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?  God said the great cities of the Philistines would be laid bare.  God asked how long would they cut themselves, which showed great sorrow.  No matter how much sorrow we may have nor how extreme our way of showing it may be, if we have not put our faith in Jesus Christ it will be of no use.  Verse six  asks,  O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.  Jeremiah asks how long God is going to send His sword against people.  Jeremiah still has compassion for them, and even as God punishes His enemies today, we as followers of Christ should still have compassion on them.  We should want them to come to salvation and not want their everlasting punishment.   Verse seven concludes, How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.  Jeremiah still recognized the certainty of God's punishment of the Philistines, just as we must acknowledge the certainty of His punishment of those who do not put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. 

Jeremiah 46:13

 Jeremiah 46:13 says, The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.  God revealed to Jeremiah that Nebuchadrezzar was going to defeat Egypt.  Verse fourteen adds, Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.  Egypt had quit going into other countries to be make war according to Matthew Henry,  but war was coming to them, and the cities named were those where the people of Judah had fled.  Verse fifteen asks, Why are thy valiant men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them.  The people might ask why the valiant men of Egypt were being driven away, and Jeremiah was to tell them that it was because God was behind their defeat.  People may be valiant in defiance of God, but they will never be victorious when His judgment comes.   Verse sixteen adds, He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.  Matthew Henry says these were the mercenary soldiers who were hired by Egypt now saying that it was time to go back to their own country.  Verse  seventeen states, They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.  These troops said that the Pharaoh was full of talk, but he couldn't back up that talk.  People today may be full of talk against God and declare Him to be powerless,  but one day they will realize that it was all empty words.  Verse eighteen declares,  As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.  God said that He gave His word that Nebuchadrezzar was to come and defeat Egypt.  We have God's word today that one day Christ is going to return and defeat all the enemies of God.  Verse nineteen adds, O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.  The women who had been living in luxury were warned to prepare for life in captivity.  Verse  twenty says, Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.  Egypt was compared to a fair heifer, but God said that destruction was coming to Egypt from the north.  They may have felt safe and content, just as many people who deny God are today, but they were not going to remain that way, and neither will those who reject God today.  Verse twenty-one continues, Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.  God once again said those hired by Egypt to help protect them were going to flee.  No one can save anyone else who refuses to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and anyone or anything that they put their faith in will fail them.  Verse twenty-two states, The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.  Verse twenty-three adds, They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable.  God said the coming force would be powerful and unstoppable, just as God's judgment will be one day.  Verse twenty-four says, The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.  The women would not be spared.  Verse twenty-five declares, The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him:  Jeremiah was to tell them that God was punishing them for their idolatry.  Those who serve false gods will ultimately face the one true God.  Verse twenty-six adds, And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.  God said that He was giving over the land of Egypt to Nebuchadrezzar.   We may not always understand how God works, but we can be certain that He will always fulfill His promises.  Verse twenty-seven continues, But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.  God also promised to save the people of Israel who were living in Egypt.  I believe that these were the ones who still put their faith in God.  Verse twenty-eight concludes, Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished. God told the people of Israel to not be afraid.  He said that He would not make and end to them, even though He had punished them for their disobedience.  As followers of Christ, we have assurance of everlasting salvation, but that does not mean that we can sin without being held accountable. 

Jeremiah 46:1

 Jeremiah 46:1 says, The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;  God's word now came concerning the gentiles and not the Jews.  God judges all people.  Verse two adds, Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.  The first  people that God spoke to Jeremiah about were the Egyptians.  Even though many of the people xof Judah had gone there for protection, they had long been enemies of the people of Judah and Israel.  Verse three states, Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.  Verse four adds, Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.  God told the Egyptians to go ahead and get ready for war with all that they had.  No matter how much military might a country may have today they will never win the battle against God, no matter how long it takes for them to fail.  Verse five asks, Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD.  God said that in spite of their power and preparations for war, He saw the Egyptians defeated and in flight.  Verse six adds, Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.  God said that they would not be able to run away fast enough to escape.  No one will ever outrun God's judgment.  Verse seven asks, Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?  God compares Egypt's view of their military might with a flood that no one can stand against.   They viewd themselves as unbeatable.  Verse eight adds, Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.  God said the people of Egypt thought that they would defeat all who stood in their way.  No matter how strong the people who come against God's people may think they are today, they will ultimately fall.  Verse nine declares, Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.  God also adds all of Egypt's allies to the call to war.  All those who ally themselves against God will never be powerful enough to defeat Him.  Verse ten adds, For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.  God said that Egypt and her allies were about to face His judgment.  Nations may live in defiance of God today, and may ally themselves against Him, but He has already declared that His judgment is coming.  Verse eleven continues,  Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.  God said that there would be no cure for the people of Egypt, just as there is no spiritual cure for those who do not believe in God and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse twelve concludes, The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together.  God said that the  nations would hear of the defeat of Egypt and their shame.   This wasn't just something that might happen, but was something that was going to happen.

Jeremiah 45:1

 Jeremiah 45:1 says, The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,  This goes back in time to when Jeremiah had Baruch write the scroll for him and read it ro the people of Judah.  Verse two adds, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch;  This was God's message specifically for Baruch.  Though we have God's general word, the Bible, it is not until we hear God call us specifically by name and respond to that call that we truly begin to know God and His will for our life.  God's calling is not the same for every person, but we are all called for our unique purpose in God's kingdom, and unlike Baruch, we need no one else to reveal God's purpose to us.  God speaks to us personally, and we only have to listen and obey.  Verse three declares,  Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.  God said thatBaruch had said that God had asked more of him than he could do and that what God was asking was adding to his grief and trouble.  Like Baruch, we may sometimes feel that God is asking too much of us and start to feel sorry for our self, but instead we need to put our faith in God even more.  Verse four adds, Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.  God told Baruch that destruction was certainly coming to  Judah, and by the time this was written or placed in the book, it had already come, but God was telling Baruch not to worry or be afraid to proclaim His word.  God's destruction is coming to all those who refuse to listen to His call to repentance, but we as followers of Christ never have to fear His judgment and should never allow fear to keep us from doing what He calls usto do.  Verse five concludes, And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.  Baruch was asked if he sought great things for himself and was told not to.  I believe that God tells us today to not seek great things in this world for ourselves, because the things of this world will pass away.  God's assurance to Baruch was that he would have people angry with him and trying to kill him, but his life would be spared.  We today should not chase after the things of this world, but must do what God calls on us to do, even if it puts our life in danger.  As Christians,  God assures us of an everlasting victory. 

Jeremiah 44:20

 Jeremiah 44:20 says, Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying,   Verse twenty-one adds, The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?  In answering the people of Judah’s claim that they were being punished for not worshipping the queen of heaven enough, Jeremiah asked them if they did not know that God had seen their idolatry and had been long-suffering in giving them time to repent.   Though God will give us time to repent today, there is coming a day when we will run out of time to do so.  Verse twenty-two continues, So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.  Jeremiah said that because of God's punishment of their sin and idolatry that their land was desolate.  We cannot blame God if we end up suffering His punishment.  Verse twenty-three, concludes, Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.  Jeremiah told the people of Judah that the blame for their destruction was their sin and idolatry, just as each individual today is responsible for the results of their own sin and idolatry.  God called them to repentance and they would not listen, and those who will not listen to God's call to repentance today through faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord can be certain of His everlasting punishment.  Verse twenty-four declares, Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that are in the land of Egypt:  Jeremiah once again called on all the people of Judah that had fled to Egypt to hear God's word.  No matter where we may go to look for safety and security in the world today, if it isn't by faith in God, we will never find it.  Verse twenty-five adds, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.  Jeremiah said that God recognized their determination to continue in their idolatry.  Verse twenty-six continues, Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.  God said that He had sworn by His own name that none of the people in Judah would ever again use His name.  They were worshipping other gods, but still at times mentioning God with the false gods, and God said that they would do it no more.  We cannot attempt to make God just one of many gods and find forgiveness from Him.  There is but one God and there is but one way to salvation, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ.   Verse twenty-seven states, Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.  God said that He was no longer going to look over those of Judah who were in Egypt with good, but with evil.  They had lost God's protection because of their own disobedience and were now going to face His punishment instead.   Verse twenty-eight adds, Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.  God said that a very small remnant would return to Judah, which would be proof of who was right, the false gods or the one true God.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:  God said that the sign that they would get was that they would be punished where they were.  We may think that we have safety outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ, but we never will. Verse thirty concludes, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.  God said that the Pharoah of Egypt was going to be destroyed just as Zedekiah was. 

Jeremiah 44:11

 Jeremiah 44:11 says, Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah. The people of Judah had fled to Egypt and continued in their defiance of God.  God said that since they would not listen to His warnings and return to Him that He was going to utterly destroy them.  No matter where people go today,  if they refuse to listen to God's call to repentance and instead continue to worship false gods, they will one day face His judgment.   Verse twelve adds, And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they shall even be consumed by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.  God said that all who fled to Egypt for protection instead of obeying Him would die by the sword or pestilence.  If people look for safety anywhere today other than in God, they will one day face the utter destruction of all that they put their faith in.  Instead of being a blessing to God, the people of Judah were going to become a reproach.   Verse thirteen continues, For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:  God said that His punishment of them had not been escaped by fleeing to Egypt.  They were still guilty of the same sins and would face the same punishment.   There is nowhere that we can go that God's law does not apply.  Verse fourteen concludes,  So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.  God said that even though those who had escaped to Egypt had a desire to return to Judah, none would.  No matter what people may hope today, if they do not come to God through faith in Jesus Christ they will not be going to live in Heaven one day.  Verse fifteen states, Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,  All those who dwelt in Egypt, men and women, answered Jeremiah.  Verse sixteen adds, As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.  They said that they would not obey the word of God that Jeremiah had spoken to them, just as many people will not obey to the gospel today.  Verse seventeen continues, But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.  The people said they would continue to worship the queen of heaven as their fathers, kings and princes had done, and that everything went well for them.  They were in Egypt where they had fled for their lives,  but were still putting their faith in false gods that they credited with bringing them peace and prosperity in the past.  Some people will never give up worshipping false gods no matter how badly things go.  Verse eighteen declares, But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.  They credited not worshipping the queen of heaven as being the source of their suffering.  Verse nineteen adds, And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?  The women asked if they had worshipped the queen of heaven without the knowledge of the men.  No matter who is responsible for the worship or false gods, and even if everyone joins in, it will never be right.