S) "9 We applied healing to Babylon, but she was not healed;
Forsake her and let us each go to his own country,
For her judgment has reached to heaven
And towers up to the very skies."
Jeremiah 51:9 (NASB)
O) The word "towers" is a verb here, literally meaning is lifted, according to its footnote. Jeremiah had written down a long prophecy against Babylon because, while that nation was used by the LORD to execute His judgment against nations (including Judah), they would eventually rebel against God themselves, becoming too arrogant. What is interesting, though, is that there is no indication that this prophecy was to be read to the Babylonians. Instead, vv.59-60 seem to suggest this prophecy against Babylon was read to the Israelites in exile. This was not a warning to repent, like Jonah spoke to a secular nation, but it seems more along the lines of assuring God's people that their oppressors would not persist, but would come to justice eventually. What particularly stood out to me about this verse, is that it starts with a phrase reminiscent of Jeremiah 29:7, and it seems that perhaps the exiles would have been seeking the good of their contemporaries, to no avail. By the time this prophecy would be fulfilled, the judgment would have been reached, and there would be no healing to be had.
A) Usually, I avoid "doom and gloom" points of view. However, the recent direction of the United States seems foreboding. I have also always shied away from considering the U.S.A. to be a "Christian nation," as I feel that is in stark contrast to the disestablishmentarianism, upon which our country really was founded. Having a government appoint a national religion, even if it is my own, is a scary thing. What happens when that government decides to change which religion will be the national religion? That brings me to the point about the verse above. In a lot of ways, Christians should really see themselves as God's People in exile. The Israelites of Jeremiah's day were citizens of God's Kingdom (as I am) living in a country that was not their own (as I am). The secular government of that country started off accomplishing the will of God (as mine did), but took a decided turn against the LORD (as mine did). The righteous people of that time would have prayed for their city (as I have), but it would eventually be ineffective at bringing healing (as ours has, it seems). According to the verse above, that leaves a very clear command for me to follow: to forsake my country and go to my own country. Only, in this sense, this cannot be literally applied to me. First of all, I was born in the U.S.A. and I have no single, familial heritage. Second, what makes me similar to these exiles, is that I have citizenship in the Kingdom of God. So it is to that Kingdom that I must return. To forsake my country, the United States of America, is not to deport myself, but to alter my point of view, to make certain that my allegiance is to Christ my King, alone. To go to my own country, is to live in Christ. This is becoming more and more important, as the judgment of this country may be on its way. Now again, I am not "crying wolf" or predicting destruction, or anything like that. What I am confessing, is that I have nothing to fear, as I rest my relationship with my God and King, Jesus Christ.
P) Father, Your judgment is always just. Your are holy and righteous, just as You are full of lovingkindness and compassion. If You judge this country, there is none who could stand against You, neither with power nor with justice. I trust in Your judgment. I also confess that I have nothing to fear, so long as I remember my true citizenship in Your Kingdom. Forgive me of my sins, Father God. Help me to walk in the Holy Spirit, to accomplish Your will and not mine. Be glorified in me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
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