Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJeremiah 25

God's Remonstrances with the PeopleThis chapter brings a message from God to all the people of Judah. Jeremiah delivers God’s warning to everyone, showing that God’s word is for all, not just a few. The prophecy is given during the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, which is also the first year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:1 ). At this time, Babylon is becoming very powerful, but God wants everyone to know that He is still in control. God will use Nebuchadnezzar for His own purposes, even though he seems like a threat to the nations. This chapter also reminds the people that they have received many warnings, but they have ignored them. Now, God is just in bringing judgment because of their continued refusal to listen.v. 1–2: Jeremiah gives a message from God to all the people of Judah. He speaks to them when they are gathered together in Jerusalem, probably at a religious festival. This is important because when a message concerns everyone, it should be shared openly with all. Jeremiah is brave to speak to the king’s house and to the whole nation (Jeremiah 22:1 ).

v. 3: Jeremiah explains that he has been preaching to them for twenty-three years, beginning in the thirteenth year of King Josiah. All this time, God has sent His word to the people through Jeremiah, but they have not listened. God keeps track of how long people hear His word, and the longer they ignore it, the more serious their responsibility. Jeremiah says, rising early and speaking, showing his dedication and urgency. He wanted to warn them as soon as possible, just as Jesus also taught early in the morning (Luke 21:38 ).

v. 4: Jeremiah was not the only prophet God sent. God also sent other prophets, like Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. God is described as “rising early” to send these messengers, showing that He cares deeply and wants to give the people every chance to repent .

v. 5–6: The messages from all the prophets were similar. They told the people to turn every one from his evil way and to stop worshipping idols, which were especially offensive to God. The prophets promised that if the people repented, they would continue to live in the land God gave them and would not experience God’s judgment. God says, Provoke me not, and I will do you no hurt (Jeremiah 25:6 ). God is fair and never punishes without reason; if people turn from sin, He holds back punishment.

v. 7: Sadly, the people did not listen, even after many warnings from Jeremiah and the other prophets. They did not change their ways or pay attention to God’s instructions. They continued to provoke God with their actions, which would only bring harm to themselves. God says, You provoke me… to your own hurt. When people ignore God, they end up hurting themselves the most.

Desolation PredictedThis section explains the consequences for Judah because they refused to listen to God’s warnings. God had sent many prophets, but the people ignored them. Now, since they would not listen to God’s words, they will have to face His actions. When people will not turn from their sin, judgment will come. God’s patience has limits, and if people do not repent, they will face the results of their choices.v. 8–9: God says, Because you have not heard my words, I will send for all the families of the north…and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant (Jeremiah 25:8–9 ). God calls Nebuchadnezzar His servant, even though he does not know God, because God will use him to punish Judah and the surrounding nations. The Babylonians will destroy the land, making it a place of ruins and shame. God is in control of all rulers and armies, and He can use even those who do not believe in Him to carry out His plans.

v. 10–11: God describes how complete the destruction will be. He will take away the voice of mirth and gladness, the sound of the bridegroom and the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle (Jeremiah 25:10 ). There will be no more joy, no more work, and no more celebrations. The whole land will become a desolation, and the people will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11 ). This time limit is important because it shows that God’s judgment is not forever—He sets a boundary to their suffering. Later, Daniel would remember this prophecy and pray for its fulfillment (Daniel 9:2 ).

v. 12–14: After seventy years, God promises to punish Babylon for its own sins. He says, When seventy years are accomplished, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation…for their iniquity (Jeremiah 25:12 ). Babylon will become a desolation, just as they made other lands desolate. God will keep His word and judge Babylon for its pride and cruelty. Many nations and kings will rise up against Babylon, and they will make Babylon serve them, just as Babylon once made others serve. This shows that God is just—He will repay every nation according to what they have done (Jeremiah 25:14 ). Even powerful empires cannot escape God’s judgment.

The Cup of Wrath; General DesolationIn these verses, God shows Jeremiah a vision where His judgment is pictured as a cup that all the nations must drink. This cup stands for God’s anger, which will come as war and destruction, especially through Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. The vision teaches that no nation, not even Babylon itself, is safe from God’s judgment. God’s justice will start with His own people and then reach all nations. Even powerful rulers and rich countries cannot escape when God decides it is time for judgment.v. 15–16: God gives Jeremiah a cup filled with His wrath and tells him to make all the nations drink from it. This means Jeremiah must announce God’s coming judgment to every nation in the area. The “cup” is a symbol for the sword of war. God’s anger will come like strong wine, making the nations confused and helpless. They will be forced to drink it, even if they do not want to. The result will be suffering, fear, and destruction (Jeremiah 25:16 ).

v. 17–26: Jeremiah lists all the nations who must drink the cup of God’s wrath. It starts with Jerusalem and Judah because judgment begins with God’s own people (1 Peter 4:17 ). Then it continues to Egypt, the Philistines, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, Zidon, and even distant nations. Nebuchadnezzar will conquer many, and God will use him to punish these kingdoms. Even Babylon (here called Sheshach) will later be judged by God after the others (Jeremiah 51:41 ).

v. 27–29: God says that the nations will stagger like drunk people, unable to stand, because of the troubles that will come. Some will refuse to believe this warning, but Jeremiah must tell them, You shall certainly drink (that is, you will surely face judgment). God says, I begin to bring evil on the city called by my name (Jerusalem); if His own people are not spared, how can other nations hope to escape? God will send the sword to all the earth because of their sins (Jeremiah 25:28–29 ).

General Desolation; Jeremiah's Faithful PreachingIn this passage, God describes the destruction that will come upon the nations around Jerusalem. These nations should have learned about God through Jerusalem, where His temple and worship were established. Instead, they opposed and influenced Jerusalem to sin. Now, as God begins to punish His own people, He will also bring judgment on the nations for their wickedness. The destruction will be a sign of God’s power and justice, and it will affect everyone.v. 30: God proclaims war against the nations, saying, The Lord

v. 31: God declares His reasons for judgment: The Lord

v. 32: The destruction is described as a great whirlwind coming from the ends of the earth. This whirlwind represents the unstoppable power of the Babylonian army, which will sweep through the land with overwhelming force . Just as a storm causes chaos and destruction, so will God’s judgment bring confusion and ruin to the nations.

v. 33: The extent of the devastation is described: The slain of the Lord

v. 34–36: The leaders, called shepherds, are warned to cry and mourn. They have failed to protect their people, and now they will face God’s judgment. The Lord

v. 37–38: The passage concludes with a picture of complete desolation: The peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the Lord