The time had come. God had used Babylon as a tool to bring judgment not only Israel but also on all the nations. And Babylon was drunk. Drunk on arrogance. Drunk on invincibility. And drunk on their power over having conquered the land of Zion.

But enough was enough. The time for judgment was coming.

The Lord told Israel to get out of Babylon and come home because he was getting to ready to judge Babylon. A mighty army from the North would ransack and destroy them.

But for Israel?

There was a tender message. Not that they were to leave and come back to Israel, but how Israel would react to their sins (v. 20):

In those days, at that time,”
    declares the Lord,
“search will be made for Israel’s guilt,
    but there will be none,
and for the sins of Judah,
    but none will be found,
    for I will forgive the remnant I spare.

The LORD would completely forgive their sins. They would have absolutely no guilt for their past crime as the LORD would completely forgive them. That’s the way God forgives. Completely.

We need to let that be an encouragement for us. Yes, man can hold our sin against us. But God does not. When there is repentance, there is forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

So be encouraged today. God does not hold our sins against us. He even purifies and cleans us from all unrighteousness. As he did for Israel, he does for us.