耶利米书［第五十章］
Book of Jeremiah 50
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耶利米书 第五十 |Book of Jeremiah 50【避免步巴比伦的后尘】
从神对巴比伦的审判来汲取生命的功课，避免步其后尘：
一、远离偶像的敬拜（V1-3）
彼勒是君王的意思，也是对米罗达的一个称号。米罗达是巴比伦主要崇拜的偶像马尔杜克的称号。
神要耶利米毫无隐瞒向万国来大声宣扬报告，神将使用波斯玛代来审判巴比伦。当审判来到的时候，他们所依靠的偶像都要蒙羞惊惶。连平日的强盛繁荣都将无影无踪，换来的是一片荒凉的土地，人与牲畜都逃走了。
从神对巴比伦的审判，再一次的提醒我们要远离偶像的敬拜。尤其是心中的偶像。我们应当常常自省，追求将神放在生命的首位。
二、归回神永恒之约（V4-6）
神说虽然祂的百姓因为牧人（君王、祭司、领袖）错误的带领，作了迷失的羊。但被掳70年后，他们要再次归回神永恒之约。但单方面永远守约的神要再次引导他们与自己有生命的连结。
神的选召是没有后悔的。纵使我们可能偏行己路，有时把自己搞到一塌糊涂，甚至像以色列百姓那样，已经忘了自己是与神立约的子民，但永远守约的神却深爱着我们。所以我们要回转归向神。
三、客旅在世不属世（V8-10）
在先知耶利米的时代，巴比伦是当时全世界所仰望，充满盼望的强国。对被掳到那里的百姓来说，故破人亡，很可能就此死心塌地的被巴比伦同化。但神却藉先知指示他们，他们不属于巴比伦，他们只不过是暂时寄居在那里。所以，不但不要想自己是巴比伦人，去接受巴比伦文化；更重要的是，要成为那带领群羊的公山羊，带头迅速逃离罪恶的中心，归回锡安，回到神原本为他们预备的应许地。
我们在世上都是客旅，我们的行旅箱装的是什么？世界的物质？吃喝玩乐？还是神的使命、圣灵的果子、属天的盼望？
四、属灵定律种与收（V11-15）
巴比伦为抢夺神的百姓就欢喜快乐。V15神说，巴比伦以什么样的方式对列国施行欺压、掳掠和毁灭，神在审判它时，也会以同样的方式待它。这就是属灵种与收的定律。人种的是什么，收的也会是什么。
我们的生命想要收什么样的果子呢？如果我们想要收的是圣灵的果子，那我们的言行举止，处世待人就要按真理而行。
五、顺服管教蒙恩宠（V16-20，33-34）
迦密、巴珊和基列都是土地肥沃、适合畜牧的地方。
神提醒祂是百姓强大的救赎主。神应许将会亲自介入，领百姓归回。把他们带回迦密和巴珊的草场，肥沃土地，重新眷顾他们。v20在神应许的复兴之日，祂会完全赦免以色列和犹大所有的罪过，使他们恢复过去的荣耀和繁荣。
这是对顺服管教之人的极大恩宠。在经历了磨炼之后，重新得以洁净，并恢复到与神亲密的关系中。
这2天是医治释放营。也是神赐给参与的弟兄姐妹们恩宠的时刻。只要他们愿意认真的来到神面前承认所有的罪，神必要从他们在母腹中直到今天，所有的罪、伤害、羞辱、拜偶像、生命里所有的邪灵都统统灭绝。使他们的生命像一张白纸一样，重新开始与神亲密连结的新生命。
六、谦卑不争竞狂傲（V21-32）
但以理书3章记载了尼布甲尼撒高六十肘，宽六肘的金像要所有人下拜。金像是象征巴比伦王国和他自己的权威和地位。以及他希望别人对他的尊崇和服从。巴比伦原本只是神手中用来审判列国的大锤，可是却骄傲到与神争竞，要成为最有权势的那一位。因此，神要把他“砍断破坏”，成为荒凉之地。
此外，他们也过了界限，不但掳掠以色列百姓，还把整个耶路撒冷城给烧毁。神说他们向以色列的圣者发了狂傲，所以神要为自己的圣殿报仇。
尼布甲尼撒毁灭圣殿时，从圣殿中掳来的器皿也只是把它存在库房里。然而伯沙撒王却狂傲到一个地步，竟然用圣殿的金器皿拿来喝酒，并赞美偶像（但5）。这是极度的亵渎神。结果，忽然出现了一只手在墙上写字。这一异象使伯沙撒王心生恐惧，脸色变了。而当晚，伯沙撒王就被杀，新巴比伦帝国被波斯人所灭。
我们需要以谦卑的心来敬畏神。放下骄傲和掌控欲，不轻看神的警告，不越界代替神的地位或做出亵渎神的行为。
七、审判的主权在神（V35-46）
这一大段经文讲的都是神对巴比伦严厉的审判。神最终必会杜绝它所有的权势。V44提到4个‘谁’让我们明白审判的主权在神。而要逃避审判，就要悔改。
从耶利米发预言到巴比伦灭亡，大约相隔了50年的时间。在这50年里，如果巴比伦能够谦卑回转，相信在世界的版图应该还有一块是属于他的。当很可惜，他们没有对所发的预言做出任何的调整，结果迎来了完全的灭亡。
神儿女要活出敬畏神的生命，要把自己完全交托给神，信靠接受神的安排与旨意，拥有悔改的生命来坚守祂的道，活出荣神益人的见证。
总结：
巴比伦因为富裕强盛而自高自大，残忍狂傲。因此被神重重的审判。今天，我们要为新加坡所拥有的感谢神。求神让我们时刻儆醒的为新加坡、为执政掌权的守望，让新加坡继续更深的走在神的心意中。
神儿女更是要活出与救恩相称的生命。当神的管教临到大地，大地要经历震动，但属神的儿女要为神站稳，信靠神掌权。但愿我们都是愿意谦卑面对和接受管教的人，使我们能经历盟约中的丰盛应许与祝福。
Jeremiah Chapter 50: Avoid Following in Babylon’s Footsteps
GK611 Morning Devotion
14/11/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah
Introduction: Rightfully so
Learn life lessons from God’s judgment on Babylon, to avoid following in its footsteps:
1. Stay Away from Idolatry (V1-3)
Bel, meaning “lord,” is also a title for Merodach, a name given to Marduk, the primary deity of Babylon. God told Jeremiah to openly proclaim to all nations that He would use Persia and Media to judge Babylon. When judgment arrives, their idols will be put to shame and dismay. The strength and prosperity they once knew will vanish, leaving behind a desolate land where people and livestock flee.
God’s judgment on Babylon reminds us once again to avoid idol worship, especially the idols in our hearts. We should frequently examine ourselves, striving to place God at the forefront of our lives.
2. Return to God’s Eternal Covenant (V4-6)
God said that even though His people had become lost sheep due to the wrong guidance of their shepherds (kings, priests, leaders), after 70 years in exile, they would return to His eternal covenant. The ever-faithful God would lead them back into a life-giving connection with Himself.
God’s calling is irrevocable. Even if we go astray and make a mess of our lives—like the Israelites, who forgot they were God’s covenant people—the God who keeps His promises still loves us deeply. Therefore, we must turn back to Him.
3. Live as Pilgrims in the World, Not of the World (V8-10)
In Jeremiah’s time, Babylon was the world’s beacon of strength and hope. For those exiled there, it might have been easy to assimilate and accept Babylonian culture. Yet God, through the prophet, reminded them they did not belong to Babylon; they were only temporary residents. Not only should they reject Babylon’s culture, but they were also to lead others to flee the center of sin and return to Zion, God’s promised land for them.
We are also pilgrims in this world. What are we packing in our “travel bags”—worldly goods, pleasures, or God’s mission, the fruits of the Spirit, and heavenly hope?
4. The Spiritual Law of Sowing and Reaping (V11-15)
Babylon rejoiced in taking God’s people captive. But God declares in v.15 that just as Babylon oppressed, plundered, and destroyed other nations, it will receive the same in judgment. This is the spiritual law of sowing and reaping—what one sows, one also reaps.
What fruits do we want to see in our lives? If we desire the fruits of the Spirit, then we must live and treat others in accordance with the truth.
5. Favor through Submitting to Discipline (V16-20, 33-34)
Carmel, Bashan, and Gilead are all fertile lands suitable for grazing. God reminds His people that He is their mighty Redeemer. He promises to intervene personally, bringing His people back to these fertile lands, tending to them anew. In v.20, God promises that on the day of their restoration, He will completely forgive the sins of Israel and Judah, restoring their former glory and prosperity.
This is the great favor granted to those who submit to God’s discipline. After going through refinement, they can be cleansed and restored to a close relationship with Him.
These two days are for healing and deliverance. God is giving His favor to the brothers and sisters participating, so as long as they come to God earnestly, acknowledging all their sins, God will eradicate all sins, wounds, shame, idolatry, and evil spirits from the womb to today. Their lives will be like a blank sheet, ready for a renewed, intimate relationship with God.
6. Humility, Not Striving or Arrogance (V21-32)
Daniel 3 records Nebuchadnezzar’s 60-cubit tall and 6-cubit wide golden statue, which everyone was commanded to worship. This statue represented the authority and status of the Babylonian empire and Nebuchadnezzar’s desire for others’ reverence and obedience. Babylon, originally God’s tool for judging nations, became prideful, even challenging God’s sovereignty. Consequently, God would “cut it down,” leaving it desolate.
Furthermore, they crossed a line, not only taking the people of Israel captive but also burning down Jerusalem. God declared that Babylon’s arrogance against Him, the Holy One of Israel, warranted His vengeance.
When Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple, he stored its vessels in his treasury. Yet King Belshazzar’s arrogance led him to use the temple vessels to drink wine and praise idols (Daniel 5). This blatant desecration of God resulted in a vision of a hand writing on the wall, terrifying Belshazzar, whose countenance changed. That night, Belshazzar was killed, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire fell to Persia.
We need a humble heart to revere God, relinquishing pride and control, heeding God’s warnings, not replacing His role or profaning His holiness.
7. The Sovereignty of Judgment Belongs to God (V35-46)
This lengthy passage speaks of God’s severe judgment on Babylon. Ultimately, God will strip away all its power. In v.44, four rhetorical “who” statements make clear that the authority of judgment lies with God. To escape judgment, one must repent.
From Jeremiah’s prophecy to Babylon’s fall was a span of about 50 years. Had Babylon humbled itself and turned back, it might have retained a place on the world map. Sadly, it ignored these prophecies, bringing about its utter destruction. God’s children are called to live reverently, entrusting their lives fully to God, accepting His plans, and living a life of repentance to uphold His word and bear testimony to His glory.
Conclusion:
Babylon’s wealth and strength led to pride and cruelty, which ultimately resulted in God’s severe judgment. Today, let us thank God for what Singapore has and pray that He keeps us vigilant, watching over Singapore and its leaders, that our nation may continue to walk deeply in His will.
As God’s children, we are also called to live lives worthy of salvation. When God’s discipline comes upon the earth, it will tremble, but His children will stand firm, trusting in His sovereignty. May we all be willing to face and accept discipline with humility so that we can experience the abundant promises and blessings of His covenant.