The Lord spells out to the nations what will happen if any nation rejects his message and tries to resist the rule of Babylon. The Lord will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence.
These are the three words used often in Jeremiah to describe the realities of war and military invasion. The Lord’s judgment will come in the form of Babylonian invasion to any nation that resists the yoke of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar’s policy was to first treat conquered nations with respect, but if they rebelled or resisted, then severe punishment came quickly.1 But ultimately, it was the Lord who would bring this judgment on a rebellious nation. He would allow Babylon to invade a nation until I (the Lord) have consumed it (the nation) by his (Nebuchadnezzar’s) hand.
8 “‘“But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the LORD, until I have consumed it by his hand.