Jeremiah

Jeremiah 51: The LORD made all things

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Babylon’s fall and the idols that cannot save, let us come before the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to show us that He made the earth by His power and wisdom, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, through whom all things were made.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You made the heavens and the earth by Your power and wisdom, and that the idols of the nations cannot save. Show us Jesus, through whom all things were made, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD says He will raise up a destroying wind against Babylon, and strangers will winnow her land (verses 1 and 2). He calls His people to flee from the middle of Babylon, because it is the time of the LORD’s vengeance (verse 6). Babylon had been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, and she has suddenly fallen and been destroyed (verses 7 and 8). The LORD made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and stretched out the heavens (verse 15). Idols have no breath in them, but the LORD is the portion of Jacob and the former of all things (verses 17 to 19). The LORD says His purposes against Babylon stand, and that the land of Babylon will become a desolation (verses 12 and 29). In Babylon, Seraiah was to read Jeremiah’s words, then tie a stone to the book and throw it into the Euphrates (verses 59 to 64).

As you read Jeremiah 51, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD made the earth by His power, and His purposes always stand.

Babylon was the great power that held God’s people, and the LORD says a destroying wind will come against it (verses 1 and 2). A cup in the LORD’s hand stands for His judgment, and Babylon was that cup for the nations (verse 7). Idols were made by human hands, and the LORD says they have no breath in them and cannot save (verses 17 and 18). The portion of Jacob means the LORD is the inheritance of His people, and He is the former of all things (verse 19). God’s purposes stand, so no army, city or idol can undo what He has decided (verses 12 and 29). Jeremiah’s book was to be thrown into the Euphrates with a stone, showing that Babylon would sink (verses 59 to 64). Jesus is the Creator through whom all things were made.

How does Jeremiah 51 show us that the LORD made the earth, and that His purposes always stand?

The LORD made the earth by His power and wisdom.

He made the earth, established the world, and stretched out the heavens (verse 15). He makes lightning for the rain, and He brings the wind out of His treasuries (verse 16). Jesus is the Creator through whom all things were made, so come to Him in repentance and faith.

Idols cannot save, but the LORD made all things.

The idols of the goldsmiths are falsehood, and they have no breath in them (verse 17). They are vanity, and they will perish in the time of their visitation (verse 18). The LORD is the former of all things, and He is Israel’s portion (verse 19). Jesus is the living God who made all things.

The LORD’s purposes against Babylon always stand.

The LORD says His purposes stand, and nothing can stop what He has decided (verses 12 and 29). His people declare that the LORD has produced their righteousness, and they go to tell of His work in Zion (verse 10). Jesus reigns as the King whose kingdom never fails, so repent of your sin and trust Him.

Memorize

He has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom. By his understanding he has stretched out the heavens.

Jeremiah 51:15

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what idol do I trust, and will I turn to Jesus, who made all things?

The LORD made the earth by His power and wisdom, and He stretched out the heavens (verse 15). Idols that people make are empty and have no breath in them (verses 17 and 18). The LORD is the portion of Jacob, and His purposes against Babylon stand (verses 19 and 29).

Jesus is the Creator, and all things were made through Him. He came into the world, went to the cross, and bore the punishment that sinners deserved. His death is enough for every sinner who comes to Him, and on the third day He was raised to life. Jesus welcomes sinners. Please turn from your idols and trust Him, because He forgives everyone who comes to Him.

The purposes of the LORD stand, and so does the Savior He has sent. Come to Jesus today with empty hands, and turn away from every idol in your heart. He will receive everyone who comes to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD made the earth by His power, and that His purposes always stand. Parents, you may want to explain that idols cannot speak or save, and that the LORD alone made all things. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He made all things and that His purposes stand, and bring the heart question to Him. Invite each child to pray a short prayer in their own words.

Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.

Psalms 33:10

Lord, thank You that You made the heavens and the earth by Your power and wisdom. Forgive us for trusting in idols and in our own plans instead of in You. Thank You for Jesus, through whom all things were made, who bore sin on the cross and was raised to life. Help us to turn from every idol, trust You, and rest in Your purposes this week. Amen.