.25:1-14.

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Seventy years captivity (Jer 25:1-14)

Babylon conquered Egypt in 605 BC (the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign according to Judean reckoning, the third year of his reign according to Babylonian reckoning; cf. Dan 1:1-6).

Judah therefore came for the first time under the direct control of Babylon. Jeremiah now clearly sees his prophecies being fulfilled before his eyes. He reminds the people that for over twenty years he has been bringing God’s message to them but they have not listened (Jer 25:1-3).

He has urged them to turn from their sin and idolatry, promising that if they did, God would allow them to remain in their land. But they have ignored his words and as a result brought harm upon themselves (Jer 25:4-7).

God is now going to punish Judah, and will use Babylon as his instrument of punishment. Joy and gladness will cease from Judah, the land will be left in ruins, and the people will be taken captive to Babylon. They will remain under Babylon’s rule for seventy years (Jer 25:8-11).

However, Babylon has no right to do as it pleases. When it acts as if it is greater than God, it too will be destroyed. The outcome of this will be the release of God’s people, so that after their seventy years of captivity, they will be able to return to their homeland (Jer 25:12-14).