“Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life! Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance, the repayment he is rendering her.” (Jeremiah 51:6, ESV)

There was a time when Jeremiah told the captives to seek the peace of Babylon.

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)

God had used Babylon as His instrument of judgement. Babylon was a golden cup in His hand, and He made all the nations drink her wine. The LORD would have healed Babylon, but she was unwilling. Therefore, the idolatrous city would now be destroyed. It was time for God’s people to forsake her and return to their own land.

Wisdom is understanding the times. As Solomon said, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

There is a time to plant and a time to uproot. There is a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. There is a time to share the gospel and a time to “shake the dust off your feet.” How we need God’s wisdom to rightly discern the times!

The day is coming when God will judge this world for her wickedness. When that day comes, we don’t want to be caught unaware. Jesus warned us concerning that time:

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34–36, ESV)