Though I am focusing mainly on Jeremiah’s prophecies that have bearing on end times events, I think it is significant to note that his prophecy concerning the Babylonian captivity and the return of the Jews to Israel was specific. History reveals the confirmation of this timeframe. Fulfilled prophecy is a primary motivation to the expectation of the fulfillment of all—and this is but one of hundreds of examples in scripture.
Jeremiah 25:12–14 “And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations. For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.”
Jeremiah is specific in declaring that the people would spend 70 years in Babylonian captivity. God will then punish the Babylonians for their own sin. As they had subjugated others, they will themselves be subjugated to other great nations and kings; as they had treated those whom they conquered, they too would be treated. They will reap what they have sown. This is a principle throughout scripture.
Job 4:8 “Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.”
Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
It is important to note that although God used Nebuchadnezzar to accomplish His purposes, He was not causing Neb and his armies to act outside of their own choices and desires.
The prophet Daniel was obviously aware of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
Daniel 9:2 “In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”
Scripture even tells us why the captivity was declared for 70 years. The people had neglected to allow the land to rest, “enjoy her sabbaths,” every seven years as commanded by God.
2 Chronicles 36:20–21 “And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.”
Again, this did not take the Lord by surprise. He had anticipated the disobedience of His people and had warned them of the consequences as revealed by Moses in the book of Leviticus.
Leviticus 25:2–4 “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD:”
Leviticus 26:32–35 “And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies’ land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.”
Babylon was eventually conquered by the Medes and the Persians, and Cyrus issued the decree allowing the return of the Jews to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
Ezra 1:1–3 “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.”
The prophecy concerning the “perpetual desolations” of Babylon is yet future and is described in chapters 50-51.
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