D. Michael Paxton Supporter IT at Moody Publishers, MDiv Student at Moody Theo. Seminary

Jeremiah is prophesying against Judah as a nation, not against them individually as persons. Therefore, this passage must be understood as judgment against the nation.

When the Lord says "it is for the greatness of your iniquity that your skirts are lifted up and you suffer violence", He is speaking of what was about to happen when Judah would be overthrown and the land and Jerusalem pillaged, or "raped". Also later, when He says, "I myself will lift up your skirts over your face, and your shame will be seen", He is telling them that He will expose the shame of their idolatry, which the Lord frequently pictures as adultery or whoring, as they are brought down by their oppressors.

However, although God worked His judgment through the pagan nations, He yet held them responsible for their wickedness and their actions against His holy people. IsaIah 10 points out that although Assyria was "the rod of my anger, in whose hand is the club of my wrath", He nonetheless "will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes." More to the point of the question, at the end of Jeremiah, in chapter 51, He says, "I will repay Babylon and all the residents of Chaldea for all their evil they have done in Zion before your very eyes."

So, no, the Lord God does not condone rape. He does, however, carry out His fierce judgment through any means He chooses, even through ungodly people, while still holding them responsible for their acts.

One last example to consider. The Father's plan from the Beginning was for Jesus ultimately to be betrayed and suffer and die as payment for our sins. Judas became the vehicle of that betrayal. Yet, even as Judas was sitting with Jesus, the Lord said to all of the disciples "The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." So while Judas was carrying out the plan of the Father, he nonetheless remained culpable for his sin, and paid the price as a result.

June 17 2021 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report