depths, at the greatest distances, we are to remember the Lord our God; and in the times of the
greatest fears and hopes, it is most needful to remember the Lord. The feeling excited by Babylon's
fall is the same with the New Testament Babylon, Rev. 18:9,19. The ruin of all who support idolatry,
infidelity, and superstition, is needful for the revival of true godliness; and the threatening prophecies
of Scripture yield comfort in this view. The great seat of antichristian tyranny, idolatry, and
superstition, the persecutor of true Christians, is as certainly doomed to destruction as ancient
Babylon. Then will vast multitudes mourn for sin, and seek the Lord. Then will the lost sheep of
the house of Israel be brought back to the fold of the good Shepherd, and stray no more. And the
exact fulfilment of these ancient prophecies encourages us to faith in all the promises and prophecies
of the sacred Scriptures.
Jer. 51:59-64 This prophecy is sent to Babylon, to the captives there, by Seraiah, who is to
read it to his countrymen in captivity. Let them with faith see the end of these threatening powers,
and comfort themselves herewith. When we see what this world is, how glittering its shows, and
how flattering its proposals, let us read in the book of the Lord that it shall shortly be desolate. The
book must be thrown into the river Euphrates. The fall of the New Testament Babylon is thus
represented, Rev. 18:21. Those that sink under the weight of God's wrath and curse, sink for ever.
Babylon, and every antichrist, will soon sink and rise no more for ever. Let us hope in God's word,
and quietly wait for his salvation; then we shall see, but shall not share, the destruction of the
wicked.
Chapter 52
The fate of Zedekiah. (Jer. 52:1-11) The destruction of Jerusalem. (Jer. 52:12-23) The captivities.
(Jer. 52:24-30) The advancement of Jehoiachin. (Jer. 52:31-34)
Jer. 52:1-11 This fruit of sin we should pray against above any thing; Cast me not away from
thy presence, Ps. 51:11. None are cast out of God's presence but those who by sin have first thrown
themselves out. Zedekiah's flight was in vain, for there is no escaping the judgments of God; they
come upon the sinner, and overtake him, let him flee where he will.
Jer. 52:12-23 The Chaldean army made woful havoc. But nothing is so particularly related
here, as the carrying away of the articles in the temple. The remembrance of their beauty and value
shows us the more the evil of sin.
Jer. 52:24-30 The leaders of the Jews caused them to err; but now they are, in particular, made
monuments of Divine justice. Here is an account of two earlier captivities. This people often were
wonders both of judgment and mercy.
Jer. 52:31-34 See this history of king Jehoiachin in II Kin. 25:27-30. Those under oppression
will find it is not in vain for them to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord. Our