Jeremiah (1-31) 25:17 Commentary and Bible Study

‘Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me.’ Jeremiah surely did not travel round forcing members of these various nations or their rulers to drink. He simply prepared this cup and declared this prophecy, and in doing so he brought about the judgment which it symbolised on those nations. First is mentioned Judah itself, for as many commentators remind us, ‘For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ (1 Peter 4:17-18). God’s patience with his people had come to an end, and the result was a heavy chastisement on them. So severe will this be that the very mention of it will bring a hiss of horror from the lips of those who hear about it. They will be astonished that God can so act towards those who he once called his people. Certainly the severity of God is a cause for wonder, just as is his mercy. Egypt follows next, as the nation to whom Israel turned for help so often. She won’t even to be able to defend herself, but she too will be overrun by Babylon. When the church makes friends with the world and looks to human power and the flesh for strength, she will live to see those she trusted in brought to nothing. We cannot depend on any other than the Lord himself. He alone can defend us.Then follows a long list of all the other surrounding nations, many of whom Israel interacted with in her history, all the nations of the earth which were to be overrun by Babylon during the time of her ascendency, among whom are the Medes. All of these would take their revenge on Babylon, led by the Medes and the Persians.