“Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name.”
Jeremiah 50:34
As the book of Jeremiah winds down with just a few chapters left, God speaks of the judgment against Babylon. It’s interesting to me that God would use a pagan nation to execute His judgment against His rebellious people. Even more interesting is the fact that He would bring judgment to the nation He used. That alone is a lot to think about theologically. The final word is the reality that God is God and He will use whomever or whatever in order to manifest His will.
As always, the beauty of this chapter is found in the snippets of hope for the Israelites. Their captivity will end. A day of redemption will come. Once the fires have burned away their own rebellion, God will restore them. This is a tangible hope for all of us who are consumed in such fires and testing.
God has heard their cries. He has heard your cries. Though they are weak and powerless through everything, God Almighty is strong. He has claimed them and they are His. Although the enemy has overpowered them for a season, He will strengthen them and bring the freedom they long for.
Wherever we may be within our lives, the thing to hold onto from this passage is that our Redeemer lives. He is mighty to save. He will save. He is strong for the battle and will claim victory in the end. His name is above all names. Hold onto that today.