Drunkenness

 Then you shall say to them, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink, be drunk and vomit, fall and rise no more, because of the sword that I am sending among you".

Jeremiah 25:27 ESV

Ripped out of its context, this verse might be twisted by an alcoholic in an attempt to justify his overindulgence in alcohol. Read properly, the God of armies pulls no punches about the devastating judgement coming upon His people. Drunkenness is no laughing matter!

God probably isn't referring to literal drunkenness so much, unless God's people were drowning their sorrows about their impending doom. It's more likely to be a metaphor for the imminent destruction that was coming upon Israel. Babylon was the instrument of God's wrath at Judah.

When Babylon destroyed Judah, God wasn't helplessly wringing His hands. He's the Sovereign Lord of armies. He's in control even of pagan superpowers.

The people of God might have thought it to be unfair that pagan Babylon would crush them. Yet it would reassure them to know that Babylon herself would be crushed by Medo-Persia. Earthly kingdoms pass away, however, the LORD shall reign forever and ever.

'God of armies, may we trust You to work out Your Sovereign will in our lives. For Your honour and praise we pray, amen'.

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