Jeremiah 51-52 – August 23

After the LORD says, “You are My battle-ax and weapons of war” in Jeremiah 51:20, He goes on to say the words “with you I will” ten times in verses 20-23. One question some have is: who is God speaking of? Is He speaking of Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon, or is He speaking of Cyrus (who would destroy Babylon); commentators seem to have some disagreement about this. I believe the text has prophetic insight not just about what happened to ancient Babylon, but the one that we see will rise up in these last days spoken of in the book of Revelations. OK, now, back to the phrase, “with you I will.” That is a powerful statement; it’s all God’s plan and power, but He has chosen to work through vessels. What God has done or will do, He does through people. Even as Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”