THE LION OF JUDAH

"Look, it will be like a lion coming from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered grazing land. Indeed, I will chase Babylon away from her [land] in a flash. I will appoint whoever is chosen for her. For who is like Me? Who will summon Me? Who is the shepherd who can stand against Me?" (Jeremiah 50:44 HCSB)

How frightening it would be—you are by the river, getting a drink of water, when you hear a rustling in the bushes nearby—and as you look up, you look into the face of a powerful beast! He lets out a roar that shakes you to the core of your being and makes your knees buckle. The lion pounces. There is nowhere to run.

One day, the Lion of Judah will roar. He will devour the world in judgment. There will be no escaping the jaws of justice.

In rapid-fire succession, Jeremiah takes us on a tour of nations in the closing chapters of his prophecy. Irrespective of the metaphors used to describe their judgment and no matter the designation of those judged—the results are the same: the Holy One takes vengeance on those who have forsaken His worship and flaunted His will.

The Lion of Judah may be crouching, just beyond our sight—the moment His powerful muscles hurtle Him to earth upon His prey is imminent. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow—it is a Day that is coming. It seems that it is very near.

If you understand this—and you have not run for refuge before He strikes—then I beg you, do not delay a minute more! Do you not know, that before this day dawns, the Judge might decide this will be the breaking of the Day of Wrath? If He should spring upon you in judgment, there will be no more opportunity to get away.

There is a choice. Although we are sinners, we do not have to pay the penalty for our crimes against God. In the midst of these multiple pronouncements of judgment, God holds out the one way of escape.

“In those days and at that time--[this is] the Lord's declaration--the Israelites and Judeans will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the Lord their God.
They will ask about Zion, [turning] their faces to this road. They will come and join themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.

My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, guiding them the wrong way in the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.” (Jeremiah 50:4-6)

Let there be the godly sorrow that produces repentance. Jesus promised that those who mourn will be comforted—the mourning over sin that brings the comfort of forgiveness. Seek the Lord and bow to Him. For now He manifests Himself as the Savior, but tomorrow He may reveal Himself in fire from heaven as the Judge.
Now, you may run to Him. Then, you can’t run from Him.

God offers an everlasting covenant—a covenant of unconditional grace. He extends the promise of mercy, and to refuse it is to experience the punishment of misery. As enduring as heaven’s happiness, will be hell’s horror.

We are lost, and our hearts long for home. We wander through this world searching, trying to find our way back to God. Listen! The Shepherd’s voice is calling. Do you want to know Him as a Good Shepherd or as the Lion of Judah? You will meet Him, one way or another.

How can a Just God justify sinners?

“In those days and at that time--[this is] the Lord's declaration--one will search for Israel's guilt, but there will be none, and for Judah's sins, but they will not be found,
for I will forgive those I leave as a remnant.” (Jeremiah 50:20)

There is no evidence of sin for those who have come to the Lord. It is forgiven and forgotten! It is buried where it can never be found, under the blood of Jesus!

He came as a Lamb the first time—the Perfect Sacrifice dying in the place of straying sheep. He will come the next time as a Lion—the Righteous Judge passing sentence on those who have steadfastly refused His salvation.

What would cause someone to walk into a path, knowing that a lion lurks nearby? Arrogance—the one who scoffs at judgment is the one who falls.

“Look, I am against you, you arrogant one--[this is] the declaration of the Lord God of Hosts--because your day has come, the time when I will punish you.

The arrogant will stumble and fall with no one to pick him up. I will set fire to his cities,
and it will consume everything around him." (Jeremiah 50:31-32)

The judgment that befell Babylon is symbolic of the fire that will fall on all those who refuse the offer of salvation. Those who do not want God to reign over them can have their way—and you will be shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven, forever.

Christ will be our Defense Attorney to gain our acquittal or He will be the Prosecutor to demand our punishment. This is the language the prophet uses:

“Their Redeemer is strong; Yahweh of Hosts is His name. He will fervently plead their case so that He might bring rest to the earth but turmoil to those who live in Babylon.” (Jeremiah 50:34)

Redemption or retribution? There are no other options.