QT 11/07/2025 Fri. Jeremiah 51 God the Powerful Payer and Repayer 神是大能的付出者和偿还者

QT 11/07/2025 Fri. Jeremiah 51 God the Powerful Payer and Repayer
READ http://www.esv.org/jer51

Scripture Focus:
“When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, and say, ‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.’” —Jeremiah 51:63–64 (ESV)

Devotional Reflection
In Jeremiah 51:61–64, we are brought into a dramatic, prophetic act of judgment. Jeremiah instructs Seraiah to read aloud God’s Word of judgment against Babylon, then cast the scroll—tied to a stone—into the Euphrates River as a vivid symbol of the nation's doom.

Babylon, the mighty empire, once feared and powerful, is here declared doomed not because of its strength, but because of its sin. God, who is the powerful payer and repayer, ensures that no wickedness goes unnoticed and no justice is left undone. He repays Babylon for its pride, violence, and idolatry.

This passage reminds us of three key truths:

(1) God’s Word Never Returns Void
Seraiah is told to read all these words. God's judgment is not based on emotion or impulse—it is rooted in truth and righteousness. Just as His promises bring blessing to the obedient, His words of judgment bring destruction to the unrepentant. The Word is always active—either building up or tearing down.

(2) God Brings Perfect Justice
The fall of Babylon was not random—it was God’s deliberate repayment for evil. In a world that often feels unjust, this reminds us that God sees everything. He is not only powerful to save, but also powerful to repay. We are called not to seek vengeance, but to trust that God will deal justly with all wrongs in His perfect time.

(3) God’s Judgment Is Final and Full
“Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more…” — The sinking scroll is more than symbolism; it's a prophetic sign of complete and irreversible ruin. Just as that scroll would never rise from the river, Babylon’s judgment would be total. For the unrepentant, God’s judgment is not a temporary setback—it is final.

Gospel Lens

But here’s the good news: While Babylon’s fate was sealed, ours doesn't have to be. Jesus Christ took the full weight of judgment upon Himself, so that we, though guilty, might be spared. God is not only the Repayer—He is also the Redeemer. At the cross, justice and mercy met. The wrath due to us was poured out on Jesus, so we might rise rather than sink.

Prayer
Lord, you are righteous and just. You repay evil and you lift up the humble. Thank you for your justice—and thank you for your mercy through Jesus. Help us trust in your timing, live in obedience to your Word, and never take your grace for granted. Empower us to proclaim your truth boldly, like Jeremiah, and to rest in the hope that justice will be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Questions
(1) Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to take justice into your own hands instead of trusting God?

(2) How does knowing God repays justly encourage you to pursue holiness?

(3) How can you share the message of both God’s justice and His mercy with someone this week?

QT 11/07/2025 星期五. 耶利米书 51 神是大能的付出者和偿还者
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Jer/51/

经文焦点： 耶利米书 51：63-64
63 你宣读完这书卷以后，要把一块石头和书拴在一起，丢进幼发拉底河里，64 然后说：‘巴比伦必因耶和华（“耶和华”原文作“我”）所要降给它的灾祸，照样沉下去，不再浮上来；它的人民也必灭没。’”耶利米的话到此为止。

灵修反思
在耶利米书 51：61-64 中，我们被带入了一个先知性的行动, 去了解这预言审判。耶利米指示塞拉亚大声宣读神对巴比伦的审判之言，然后将书卷绑在石头上扔进幼发拉底河，作为这个国家末日的生动象征。

巴比伦，这个强大的帝国，曾经令人生畏，强大无比，却在这里被宣告灭亡，不是因为它的强大，而是因为它的罪恶。上帝是强大的付出者和偿还者，他确保没有邪恶被忽视，没有正义被践踏。祂为巴比伦的骄傲、暴力和偶像崇拜付出代价。

这段经文提醒我们三个关键真理：

(1) 神的话永不落空
塞拉亚被吩咐读这些话。上帝的审判不是基于情感或冲动，而是根植于真理和公义。正如祂的应许会给顺从的人带来祝福，祂的审判之言也会给不悔改的人带来毁灭。神的话语总是积极的--不是建立就是摧毁。

(2) 神带来完美的正义
巴比伦的灭亡并非偶然，而是上帝对邪恶的蓄意偿还。在这个常常让人感到不公的世界里，这提醒我们，上帝洞察一切。祂不仅有拯救的大能，也有偿还的大能。我们被呼召不要寻求报复，而是要相信神会在祂完美的时间里公正地处理所有的错误。

(3) 神的审判是最终和全面的
“巴比伦必沉沦，不再兴起......”--沉没的书卷不仅仅是象征性的，它是完全和不可逆转的毁灭的预言性标志。正如书卷永远不会从河里浮起一样，巴比伦的审判也将是彻底的。对于不悔改的人来说，上帝的审判不是暂时的挫折，而是最终的。

福音透镜
但这里有一个好消息： 虽然巴比伦的命运已经注定，但我们的命运却不必如此。耶稣基督承担了审判的全部重担，因此我们虽然有罪，却可以幸免于难。上帝不仅是偿还者，也是救赎者。在十字架上，正义与怜悯相遇了。我们应得的忿怒倾倒在耶稣身上，使我们得以升起而非沉沦。

祷告
主啊，你是公义和正义的。你报应邪恶，你提升谦卑的人。感谢你的公义，感谢你通过耶稣施予我们的怜悯。帮助我们相信你的时机，顺从你的话语生活，永远不把你的恩典视为理所当然。让我们有能力像耶利米一样勇敢地宣告你的真理，并在正义必将得到伸张的希望中安息。奉耶稣的名，阿门。

思考题
(1) 在你的生活中，是否有哪些地方会让你倾向于将正义掌握在自己手中，而不是信靠上帝？

(2) 知道上帝会公正地报答你，这会如何鼓励你追求圣洁？

(3) 本周你如何与他人分享上帝的公义和怜悯？