Today we are reading Jeremiah 51. In this chapter we we read the final prophecy of Jeremiah against Babylon that he sent with the exiles to Babylon. “The word that Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah king of Judah to Babylon, in the fourth year of his reign. Seraiah was the quartermaster. Jeremiah wrote in a book all the disaster that should come upon Babylon, all these words that are written concerning Babylon. And Jeremiah said to Seraiah: “When you come to Babylon, see that you read all these words, and say, ‘O Lord, you have said concerning this place that you will cut it off, so that nothing shall dwell in it, neither man nor beast, and it shall be desolate forever.’ When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, and say, ‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.'” Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.” Jeremiah 51:59-64 ESV It seems fitting that the same prophet who repeatedly warned God’s people to repent of their sins now calls out to them when they are punished for their sins. God’s mercy exceeds their sins. God’s mercy exceeds our sins. How should we respond to this truth? Should we sin anyway since we know we can always repent? Why do we fight against temptation? May God give you a grateful heart so that you may desire to please Him in all your ways! Pastor Tim
