John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 51:45

"My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and save yourselves every man from the fierce anger of Jehovah." — Jeremiah 51:45 (ASV)

Here the Prophet exhorts the Israelites to flee from Chaldea and Assyria. Yet this exhortation was intended for another purpose: to encourage them in the hope of deliverance, for it was hardly credible that they would ever have a free exit, because Babylon was like a sepulcher to them. As he then exhorts them concerning their deliverance, he intimates that God would be their redeemer, as He had promised. But he shows that God’s vengeance on Babylon would be dreadful when he says, Flee from the indignation of God’s wrath.

We must, however, observe that the faithful were awakened in this way, lest, being inebriated with the indulgences of the Chaldeans, they should obstinately remain there when God stretched out His hand to them. For we know what happened when liberty to return was given to the Israelites: only a small portion returned; some despised the great favor of God. They were so accustomed to their dwellings, and so settled there, that they paid no regard to the Temple, nor to the land God had promised them. The Prophet, then, so that he might withdraw the faithful from such indulgences, says that all who, in their torpor, remained there would be miserable, because the indignation of God would kindle against that city. We now perceive the Prophet’s purpose.

It appears, indeed, to be a simple exhortation to the Jews to leave, so that they might not be polluted with the filth of Babylon, but another purpose, proposed by the holy Prophet, must also be considered. This exhortation, then, contains within it a promise of return, as if he had said that they were not to fear, because liberty would at last be given to them, as God had promised. In the meantime, a stimulant is added to the promise, lest the Israelites should be delighted with the pleasures of Chaldea and thus despise the inheritance God had promised them. For we know how pleasant that land was, and what a great abundance of all blessings it possessed, as the fruitfulness of that land is more celebrated than that of all other countries. It is no wonder, then, that the Prophet so strongly urged the Jews to return, and that he set before them the vengeance of God to fill them with terror, in case they slumbered in Chaldea. And he afterwards adds: