Jeremiah 51:59 - Meaning and Application

We have already followed the judgment on Babylon through this chapter and the one before it. Here, at last, we come to the end of that matter.

First, Jeremiah made a written copy of this prophecy, and it seems likely he did it himself, since Baruch, his scribe, is not mentioned here (Jeremiah 51:60). He wrote down all these words against Babylon so they could be shared with everyone who needed to hear them. Writing God’s word helps spread it and preserve it, which is why copies of the law, the prophets, and the letters are such a great blessing.

Second, this message was sent to Babylon with Seraiah, who went there with or for King Zedekiah in the fourth year of his reign (Jeremiah 51:59). The description of Seraiah is worth noticing: he was a quiet prince, a prince of rest. He had honor and power, but unlike many princes of that time, he was not hotheaded, restless, or driven by party spirit. He had a calm nature, loved peace, worked to keep a good relationship between his king and the king of Babylon, and tried to keep his master from rebelling. He was not a persecutor of God’s prophets, but a moderate man. Zedekiah was fortunate to choose such a man as his envoy to Babylon, and Jeremiah could safely trust him with this message too. The real honor of great men is to be quiet men, and rulers show wisdom when they place such men in positions of trust.

Third, Seraiah was told to read this prophecy to his countrymen who were already in captivity. When he came to Babylon and saw how grand it was, how large, strong, rich, and well fortified, he might have been tempted to think it would last forever. Jeremiah wanted him, and those with him, to read the words as comfort for the captives, so they could look by faith to the end of these threatening powers and encourage one another with this hope. Babylon may have looked unshakable, but God had already spoken its end.

Fourth, Seraiah was to make a solemn confession of the truth of what he had read (Jeremiah 51:62). He was to look up to God and say, “Lord, you have spoken against this place, to cut it off.” This is like the angel’s words about the destruction of the New Testament Babylon: “These are the true words of God” (Revelation 19:9), and “These words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5). Even if Babylon still seemed to be thriving, Seraiah had to believe the prophecy and expect its fall. He was to trust that God, who knows everything, can also do everything. God had already passed sentence on Babylon, and that sentence would be carried out. So the captives were not to envy Babylon’s splendor or fear its power. When we read what this world is like, with all its bright show and flattering promises, we should also read that its present form is passing away and that it will soon be cut off and left desolate forever. Then we will learn to look on it with holy contempt. After reading God’s word, it is right to turn to the Lord and humbly confess that what we have read is true, just, and good.

Fifth, Seraiah was to tie a stone to the book and throw it into the Euphrates River, as a sign to confirm the message. He was to say, “Thus Babylon will sink and rise no more, because they will be worn out and fully overcome by the disaster I am bringing on them” (Jeremiah 51:53, Jeremiah 51:64). In the sign, the stone dragged the book down. But in the thing it pictured, the written sentence from God dragged down Babylon, which seemed as solid as a stone. Something like this was used for the fall of New Testament Babylon, though in a more striking way, when a mighty angel threw a great millstone into the sea and said, “So will Babylon fall” (Revelation 18:21). Those who fall under God’s wrath and curse fall beyond recovery.

The closing words of the chapter seal the vision and prophecy: “Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.” This does not mean this prophecy against Babylon was Jeremiah’s last prophecy, because it was dated in the fourth year of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 51:59), long before Jeremiah finished his ministry. It is placed last here because it was the last of his prophecies against the nations to be fulfilled (Jeremiah 46:1). The chapter that follows is purely historical, and some think it was added by another hand.