The Lord responds to Babylon’s claim that it is not guilty for invading Judah and taking its people into exile by telling the exiles to flee from the midst of Babylon.
They must go out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as male goats before the flock.
Goats are often used to lead flocks of sheep, and playing on the language of his people being lost sheep
in Babylon (Jeremiah 50:6), they must now become like goats leading the way as exiles fleeing from Babylon; they must be very deliberate and pro-active in leaving. The reason for leaving with such urgency is because the Lord is bringing judgment on Babylon. He is stirring up and bringing against Babylon a gathering of great nations, from the north country.
This invading force is skilled and determined and Chaldea shall be plundered.
The Lord is leading his people to safety as danger comes. Babylon is no longer the place to build houses and settle down (Jeremiah 29:7). Judgment is now coming and his people must leave quickly.1
8 “Flee from the midst of Babylon, and go out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as male goats before the flock.