“Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will plead your cause and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her fountain dry, and Babylon shall become a heap of ruins, the haunt of jackals, a horror and a hissing, without inhabitant.’” (Jeremiah 51:36–37 ESV).
Jeremiah’s prophecy was written before Babylon’s downfall, when the city seemed unconquerable. Surrounded by massive walls and nourished by the Euphrates River, Babylon appeared invincible. Yet God declared that He Himself would “plead” His people’s cause and “take vengeance” for them. In 539 B.C., this word was literally fulfilled when Cyrus the Great diverted the waters of the Euphrates, drying up Babylon’s “sea” and allowing his army to march beneath the walls and capture the city by night. The once-mighty empire became “a heap of ruins,” a place for jackals. Today, the ancient site of Babylon lies desolate—a silent testimony that God’s Word stands true. But this prophecy also points beyond history. Throughout Scripture, “Babylon” comes to represent the world system that opposes God and His people. In the book of Revelation, the final Babylon—the proud, idolatrous city of man—will be overthrown forever at Christ’s return.
When we see injustice or feel surrounded by a culture that mocks God’s truth, we can take comfort in knowing that the Lord Himself is our Defender. He hears the cries of His people and will one day make all things right. Just as He overthrew ancient Babylon, so He will bring an end to every power that exalts itself against His Kingdom. Our call is to trust in His timing, stand firm in His truth, and live as citizens of His Kingdom, rather than the worrying about the Babylon of this world. Though we may face opposition now, our Redeemer pleads for us and will bring final victory at His return.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that You are both our Defender and Redeemer. Help us to trust Your justice and to live faithfully in a world that often stands against You. Keep us from loving the Babylon of this age and fix our eyes on the Kingdom of Your Son. In Jesus’ name, we pray. amen.