Jeremiah — Chapter 50
Synopsis: Great oracle against Babylon (chs.50-51). Bel confounded, Merodach broken; Babylon taken from the north (= the Medes/Persians); Israel and Judah seek their God and the New Covenant. Babylon is described as a hammer of the whole earth that will itself be hammered.
Verse 6
My people have been a lost flock, their shepherds have caused them to go astray, and have made them wander in the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place. The lost sheep scattered by bad shepherds — a type of the pastoral failure that leads to exile. Christ quotes this in the parable of the lost sheep (Matt.18:12-14). Lapide: the primary blame for Israel's wandering lies with the shepherds (priests, prophets, kings) who misled them.
Verse 34
Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is his name: he will defend their cause in judgment, to terrify the land, and to disturb the inhabitants of Babylon. 'Goel hazaq' = strong Redeemer, a title of Christ. Lapide: this verse is messianic — the redemption from Babylon is a type of the redemption from sin. Christ the strong Redeemer defends the cause of His people in the judgment.