Jeremiah 25:1-14
Ch. 25 goes back to the reign of Jehoiakim. Jeremiah had already been prophesying for twenty-three years. In his devotion and love for the people, he would rise early in the morning to appeal to them (v. 3). God’s patience was soon coming to an end. Each day could be the last. Therefore the man of God felt compelled from the outset of the day to go and deliver his message. Remarkably, the same expression is often used as regards the LORD (here in v. 4). He also rises early to send His servants. Are we ourselves prepared at that early hour in the morning when the jobs are given out? Let us imitate the perfect Servant whose tireless activity began at the outset of the day (John 8:2) or even before that (Mark 1:35).
God, in His grace, sets a time limit on the captivity in Babylon: seventy years. When this time is nearly up, Daniel will read this prophecy and use it to give captive Israel the sign and example of humiliation (Daniel 9:2).
Then, right at the end of the chapter, God enlarges on His declaration in v. 14, showing how He will punish the nations who were not afraid to enslave and oppress His people.