The answer is: Scroll

Jer 51:63

In the remarkable book of Jeremiah, amidst prophetic declarations and poetic laments, we find a powerful and symbolic act where Jeremiah ties a scroll to a stone and tosses it into the Euphrates River. This scroll, in chapter 51:63, isn't just being used as litter; it's loaded with significance. It foretells the downfall and destruction of Babylon—a lavish, powerful empire in its time, known for its grandeur and, ironically, its moral decay, serving as a vivid reminder of the fleeting nature of human glory.

The Euphrates River itself plays a special role in ancient stories. Not only does it biblically grace the pages of Genesis as part of the promise to Abraham and a core geographical marker of creation tales, but it also weaves into the very heart of early civilization, as it watered the fertile crescent. By casting the scroll into its waters, Jeremiah is not only making an emphatic statement of judgment but also connecting deeply to the land’s history.

Now, imagine a scroll sinking into the depths—an unerasable decree! This act takes a unique pivot: in much of biblical literature, tearing or throwing away serves as a metaphor for dismissing or rejecting ideas, sins, or nations. Jeremiah’s action sends waves of foreshadowing, warning us that mighty nations will fall, and justice will eventually have its day. Keeping this in mind helps us to reflect on the cyclical nature of power and integrity, an ever-relevant theme throughout history.