I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, “Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live. Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the Lord has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying lies to you. ‘I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.’” Jeremiah 27:12-15

            Babylon was a bad nation but they were under God’s control.  God used them as a tool to punish Israel for their sins.  God controlled the extent of Babylon’s power and used them as an umbrella to keep Israel safe while the residents sat in exile inside their nation.

            Then God began a series of events, that could only be described as miraculous, to allow Israel back to Jerusalem to begin the rebuilding process.  These events were never forgotten and the nation never returned to their idolatry again.

            Was Babylon bad?  Yes, but they were puppets to a good God’s good plan.