Jeremiah 50: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Jeremiah 50 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh speaks through Jeremiah about Babylon's downfall. He instructs the nations to declare Babylon's defeat and that its gods are failed. A nation from the north will invade and make Babylon desolate (vv. 1-3). Destruction will come because Babylon has sinned against Yahweh. Those who attack will find her as a prey (vv. 4-10). Babylon's punishment will be severe. Her proud mother will be ashamed and the land will be empty (vv. 11-16). Israel and Judah will be restored. They will seek Yahweh and return to their land, finding forgiveness (vv. 17-20). Yahweh calls the nations to battle against Babylon, commanding total destruction against her (vv. 21-34). Lastly, Yahweh decrees judgment on Babylon's leaders and assures that her end is near. The earth trembles at her fate (vv. 35-46).

Key verse

“For, behold, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country; and they will set themselves in array against her. She will be taken from there. Their arrows will be as of an expert mighty man. None of them will return in vain.”
Jeremiah 50:9 (WEB)

Outline

Jeremiah 50:1–2 Prophecy Against Babylon Announced
Jeremiah 50:3–10 Desolation and Judgment Declared
Jeremiah 50:11–16 Babylon's Punishment Described
Jeremiah 50:17–20 Israel's Restoration Promised
Jeremiah 50:21–34 Call to Battle Against Babylon
Jeremiah 50:35–46 Final Decrees and Assurance

Discussion questions

In v4, who will come together weeping to seek Yahweh?
What does Yahweh say will happen to Babylon in v13?
In v20, why will the iniquity of Israel be sought and found to be none?
In v24, how is Babylon described as being caught and unaware?
When have you turned away from a 'resting place' like the people in v6?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 50: Jeremiah 51, Isaiah 43, Isaiah 13.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 51.