Jeremiah 51:50

“Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the Lord afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.”

Context:Jeremiah 51 is a chapter that contains the prophecy of the destruction of Babylon. In this particular verse, God is speaking to the people who have escaped the sword of Babylon, urging them to leave and not remain in the city. He also encourages them to remember the Lord and to keep Jerusalem in their thoughts.

Flee from Destruction:The opening phrase, “Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still,” emphasizes the urgency for the survivors to leave Babylon. It echoes the call to flee the impending judgment upon the wicked city. This message can be understood both literally, as a call for those who escaped Babylon to physically leave, and symbolically, as an invitation to distance themselves from the corrupting influences of sin and worldly systems.

Remember the Lord:The verse instructs the people to “remember the Lord afar off.” Despite being physically removed from Jerusalem and experiencing the devastation of Babylon, the people are reminded to keep their focus on God. They are to remember His faithfulness, His promises, and His commandments. This call to remember implies that God is still with them even in their exile and that they should maintain their relationship with Him.

Let Jerusalem Come into Your Mind:The verse concludes with the exhortation, “let Jerusalem come into your mind.” Jerusalem represented the place of worship, the center of the Israelites’ spiritual life, and the dwelling place of God’s presence in their midst. By letting Jerusalem come into their minds, the people are encouraged to hold onto their spiritual identity and maintain their devotion to God despite their physical circumstances.

Application for Today:While this verse originally had a specific historical context, it can also have spiritual applications for believers today. Christians are called to live in the world but not be conformed to its patterns (Romans 12:2). We, too, need to “escape the sword” of sin and worldly influences by separating ourselves from ungodly practices and pursuing holiness (2 Corinthians 6:17). We are to remember the Lord in every situation, trusting His faithfulness and seeking His guidance. Additionally, we are to keep our focus on the “heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22), the eternal dwelling place of God, and strive to live in accordance with its values.