Good Morning Yamon Ki Yesepar;
Jeremiah 51:13: “O’ you who dwell by many waters, abundant in treasures, your end is come, and the measure of your covetousness.”
Clearly the pashat is a judgment against Babylon. So why should a prophecy of judgment against a city that existed over 2,600 years ago have any relevance to us? This is after all God’s Words and it has been written for us. Christians and Jewish scholars alike have taken various positions on what to do with passages like this that speak of a specific place and event.
1. Read it as pure history and try to learn from their example. (liberal)
2. Read it as history and a picture of future cities which have rebelled against God. (orthodox)
3. Read it as a spiritual picture of the natural person and their relationship with God (orthodox).
4. Analyze the hidden and/or expanded meaning of each word and letter for a personal application in ones individual relationship with God (Ultra Orthodox Jews).
5. Read it as all of the above (Ultra Orthodox Jews and a fellow called Minch).
So if I am embracing this all purpose position, I need to ask myself, just who or what is
Babylon, besides an ancient Mesopotamian city. The word Babylon is an Akkadian word
(don’t be impressed, Akkadian, Syriac, Aramaic and Hebrew all share the same alphabet
and similar vocabulary). Daniel most likely spoke Akkadian and Aramaic, writing the
Book of Daniel in Aramaic (The Book of Ezra was also written in Aramaic). Akkadian
sort of died out and was incorporated into Aramaic which is a very close cousin to
Hebrew. When you think of Akkadian, Syriac, Aramaic and Hebrew think of French,
German, Italian and English. We share the same alphabet and many of the same words.
One big difference, however, is Akkadian was written in cuneiform like Ugaritic.
Ok, for those who are still awake and still reading this, the Akkadian word for Babylon is
“Babilu” (Ricky Ricado’s song). This means “a gateway of the gods.” Babylon would
picture anyone or any place which seems to weld godlike power. Hence a city like
New York which welds financial power, or Washington D.C which welds political
power, or Rome, or Mecca which welds spiritual power. When thinking of a person it
would be anyone who has any kind of power over someone else, political, financial,
spiritual.
Could you and I be a Babylon? I would not hesitate to make a personal application. Could the church be a Babylon? There too, I would be comfortable to make such an application. Babylon could symbolize anyone that people look up to because of their natural abilities or accomplishments.
“Oh you who dwell upon many waters.” The word “dwell” (Heb. schakan ) means to dwell or possess. Thus the judgment that is to fall on this particular Babylon is a Babylon that dwells or possesses many waters. That could be a coastal city like New York, San Francisco, etc. It could also be a person. Water is the symbol of the hidden and revealed knowledge of God. It could be a believer that studied the Word of God and even entered into the mysteries of God. This is one that is abundant in treasures. Abundant is “rav” which means great, strong or rich. Treasures is “osar” which means a “storehouse.” This would be like investments, money market accounts. It would also mean the storehouse of food. Abundant in treasures would have the idea of one who is very secure in the natural world, secure job, finances, retirement etc. Thus this Babylon is one who has it all, security, power, influence etc. Someone that you really envy, or it may be you that others envy. They envy your social standing, your financial security etc.
It is not the power or influence that is wrong, it is how it gained that brings on the following warning: “You’re end will come and the measure of your covetousness.” Covetousness in the Hebrew is “betas” which means “unjust gain.” What is unjust gain? It is gain at the expense of others. Gain of power by lying about someone to gain an advantage. Gain of wealth by preying on someone, legally or not. You know, the stuff you learned in Sunday School. It is also gain acquired without the help, benefit or consideration of God.
My point, is this. Before pointing your finger at New York City saying: “Your end is near.” Take a look at yourself. You may, yourself, be a Babylon. “The Lord gives, The Lord takes away.” Job 1:21.
Your Friend.
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