The wine cup of wrath

THE WINE CUP OF DIVINE FURY.

Cp v15-33.

There is an immediate and a future application of this dramatic device used by Jeremiah.

1. Israel and the surrounding nations would taste the bitter dregs of their debauchery. Drunkenness is often used as a picture in the word of God of the excesses of sin/apostasy and the consequences of that sin.
2. Refusal anticipated, v28. It is natural to the human heart to refuse the word of God. Men refuse to accept the Divinely appointed outcomes of their sin and wicked, carousing license. But it cannot be avoided! God will see that they not only experience the ‘joys’ of their wine but the poisonous after effects.
3. A beginning and an end, v29. What God was planning to do using Nebuchadnezzar was only the beginning of a long term plan. There is a 70 year period here in the foreground but the purpose of God revealed here stretches on to the end of the age. Even as these words are committed to writing, the first part of that purpose has been fulfilled, v18. The end of that purpose regarding Babylon envisages its final destruction with a fulfillment of all that has been written of her, in a global judgement of the world. Cp v26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 32, 33. This purpose climaxes at that day, v33, when the Lord comes to judge the world and trample the winepress of the wrath of the Almighty God, v30. Cp Joel 3:12-17, Rev 14:19-20, 17:2, 6, 18, 21 (Jer 51:63-64). This purpose is reflected in a very interesting way in the names given to Babylon, v11 & 26. Sheshach is the ‘mirror image’ of the name Babylon only figured like a code from the end of the alphabet (2-2-12). Cp 51:41.

THIS MESSAGE IS TO PRODUCE A HOWLING.

Cp v34-38.

1. Accomplished doom. The simple truth is that their doom is sealed—accomplished, v34. There was no way to flee…nor…to escape, v35. The judgement is so certain it is presented in terms of actually being already accomplished. They were only awaiting the ruin that is illustrated by a meeting between God as a lion and the sheep of Israel.
2. Leaders. These men are called on to begin the lament. They had led the people astray to date, and refused to turn. Now they must lead the people in their misery under wrath.