John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 51:6

"Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life; be not cut off in her iniquity: for it is the time of Jehovah`s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense." — Jeremiah 51:6 (ASV)

He continues with the same subject, but illustrates it with various figures; for otherwise he would not have penetrated into the hearts of the godly. If anyone today were to predict the destruction of Rome, it could hardly be believed; and yet we know that in our lifetime it has been stormed, and now it hangs, as it were, by a thread, though until now it has been supported and fortified by the greatest forces.

But the dignity of the city so confounded the minds of men that it was hardly credible that it could have been subverted so soon. How, then, was it possible for such a thing to have happened at that time? For Babylon was the mistress of the East. The Assyrians had previously possessed the empire; but they had been subdued and had, as it were, been brought under the yoke.

Since, then, Babylon now flourished in power so great and invincible, Jeremiah seemed to be speaking idly when he spoke of its approaching destruction. It was therefore necessary that what he said should be confirmed, as is now done. And so he now turns to foreigners and guests, and exhorts them to flee lest they perish in the accursed city.

Flee, he says, from the midst of Babylon. But at that time there was no safer place in the land; for even if all the regions of the world had been shaken, Babylon would still have been deemed beyond any danger. But he says that all guests were to flee from its midst, if they wished to save their lives.

Then he adds, lest you perish in her iniquity. He assigns a reason why those who then lived in Babylon could not be safe unless they fled: because God was about to punish the city for its iniquities. He then sets the iniquity of Babylon in opposition to its multitude of men, as well as to its wealth, defenses, and other means of strength. Babylon was populous; it could also be aided by many auxiliaries; and those who might offer their services for hire were readily available.

Since, then, that city lacked nothing, the Prophet here shows that wealth, abundance of people, and all other supports would be of no importance, because it was God’s will to punish her iniquity. This is the reason why Jeremiah now says, lest you perish in her iniquity; that is, “Do not mingle with those ungodly men whom God has given up to destruction.”

And for the same purpose he adds, For it is the time of the vengeance of Jehovah. Here, again, he counters an objection; for since God had suspended His judgment, no one thought it possible that a fire could be kindled so soon—and, as it were, in a moment—to destroy Babylon. Then the Prophet says that it was the time; by which he implies that though God does not immediately execute His judgments, yet He does not lie down, as it were, idly, so as to forget what He has to do, but that He has His own times.

And this doctrine deserves to be noted, because through our intemperate zeal we make a great fuss unless God brings us help as soon as we are injured; but if He delays even a short time, we complain and think that He has forgotten our welfare. And even saints, in familiarly entrusting their cares and anxieties to His bosom, speak thus:

“Arise, O Lord, why sleepest thou?” (Psalms 44:23)

Since, then, we are by nature inclined to impatience, we ought to observe what Scripture so often teaches—namely, that God has His certain and fixed times for punishing the wicked. Hence Jeremiah now teaches us that the time of God’s vengeance had come.

He then adds, A reward will He render to her; as if he had said that though Babylon would not suffer punishment immediately, she would still not escape from God’s hand, for the reward which God would render her was already prepared. And this teaching arises from a general principle: that God will always give to everyone his just reward. We now, then, perceive the Prophet’s intention.

We have said that these words were addressed to the foreigners and the guests who were in Chaldea, or in the city of Babylon. Those, then, pervert this passage who think that the faithful are here exhorted to depart immediately from Babylon—that is, to withdraw themselves from the superstitions and defilements of the world—for the Prophet means no such thing. An application might, however, be drawn from one truth to another.