Jeremiah 50:33-38--Judgment on Babylon (Part 4)

Jeremiah 50:33-38
English Standard Version
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33 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah with them. All who took them captive have held them fast; they refuse to let them go. 34 Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon.

35 “A sword against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD,
    and against the inhabitants of Babylon,
    and against her officials and her wise men!
36 A sword against the diviners,
    that they may become fools!
A sword against her warriors,
    that they may be destroyed!
37 A sword against her horses and against her chariots,
    and against all the foreign troops in her midst,
    that they may become women!
A sword against all her treasures,
    that they may be plundered!
38 A drought against her waters,
    that they may be dried up!
For it is a land of images,
    and they are mad over idols.

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The LORD's attention now turns towards the flock of Israel and Judah.  The Good Shepherd sees how His sheep are afflicted and He has compassion on them.  They have been oppressed and mistreated by those who took them captive.  Now the LORD will return this treatment to those who mistreated His people (and He will also give the captors a portion of what Israel and Judah deserved).

The LORD will specifically target the Chaldeans, officials, and wise men (the Magi) of the Babylonian Empire.  They are the ones who led the Babylonians to follow the words of demons by all kinds of divination.  Though Babylon had one of the mightiest of armies, their strong men would not be strong enough to save them.  Their wise men would not be wise enough to figure out an escape plan.  No one is stronger or wiser than the LORD.

All the great cities and buildings and monuments and temples of the Babylonians would be destroyed.  All their wealth would be pillaged and plundered.  Everything they valued would be decimated, decorated, or taken as spoils of war by those who would conquer them.  Though they had the mighty Euphrates River called The Great River running through their midst, the LORD would send a drought to dry it up.  Why?  Because the Babylonians worshiped false gods--they had many idols.  He says they are mad over idols.  A few of the Babylonians will turn to the LORD and worship Him.  There will be a remnant even from among the people of Babylon.