John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 50:23-24

"How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against Jehovah." — Jeremiah 50:23-24 (ASV)

Here, first, Jeremiah asks in astonishment how it happened that the hammer of the whole earth was broken, when it had previously broken all nations. God afterward gives an answer, for "I am He who has taken Babylon." The question served to rouse the people to greater attention.

We neglect God’s judgments or are blind to them, because we do not carefully consider them; for little things often excite us, while what God works in an unusual manner is regarded by us as nothing. Since, then, our apathy toward the works of God is so great, it is necessary to arouse us.

And this is what Jeremiah does now, when he says in astonishment, How? For he suggests that to cut down Babylon would be incredible, as no one could have thought that monarchy could ever have fallen. It had arrived at the highest eminence, and was surrounded on all sides by so many fortresses, that no danger could be feared. In short, everyone thought that Babylon could not be endangered without a shaking of heaven and earth.

So the Prophet here marvels at an unusual thing, and says, How is the hammer of all the earth broken and shattered to pieces? And then, How has Babylon become a waste among the nations? For it had subjugated to itself not only the neighboring nations but also the remotest parts of the earth. And in this way he encouraged the faithful to maintain hope, lest they lose heart, for the power of that monarchy was terrifying.

He then immediately answers as God speaking: I have ensnared you, and therefore you, Babylon, are taken. Here God declares that although Babylon and its empire could not possibly fall through human means, yet its destruction was in His hand.

You, He says, are taken, precisely because I ensnared you; as if He had said that the Chaldeans would not be dealing with men, because He Himself would carry on the war, guide and direct the Persians and the Medes, and also empower them. In short, He Himself would fight until He had overcome the Babylonians.

When He says, you were not aware, He not only rebukes the insensibility of that people but at the same time derides their security, as if He had said, "You think yourself beyond the reach of harm, but you will find that no one can escape My hand."

So now we perceive the Prophet's meaning. It is indeed true that unbelievers, when God punishes them for their wickedness, do not acknowledge His hand; but the Prophet means something else: that even though Babylon trusted in its strength and feared nothing, it would still be taken, because it could not evade the snares.

He adds, You are found and therefore caught; and He states the reason: because she had contended with God. We will presently explain how Babylon contended or disputed with or against God: it was because God had taken the Israelites under His protection and patronage.

This, then, is said with reference to the Church, as I will presently explain more fully. It must be briefly observed here that God so undertakes the cause of His people, as though He Himself were injured, according to what He promises that they would be to Him as the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8).