Introduction: The Justice of God in Unexpected Places

It may strike some as paradoxical that Jehovah, the righteous and holy God, would reward a pagan nation. Yet this is precisely what He declared in Ezekiel 29:18–20:

“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre; every head was made bald, and every shoulder was rubbed bare. Yet he and his army received no wages from Tyre for the labor that he performed against her. Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for Me, declares the Lord Jehovah.”

This remarkable text demonstrates a consistent truth: Jehovah is just and fair. Even when using a pagan nation like Babylon to execute His judgment against other rebellious nations, Jehovah does not overlook labor and effort done in service to His purposes—even if that service was unintended as worship. If God remembers and rewards even the involuntary and unknowing service of pagan soldiers, how much more will He reward the intentional, sacrificial obedience of His loyal people?

Babylonian Action: The Siege of Tyre

In 586 B.C.E., Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon began a military campaign against the Phoenician city of Tyre. The siege lasted 13 years, one of the longest in ancient history. Tyre, an island fortress with formidable defenses, resisted Babylon’s might with cunning and endurance. Though Babylon eventually prevailed, much of Tyre’s wealth had been moved or depleted, resulting in no substantial spoils of war.

This campaign was grueling. As Ezekiel records, every soldier’s head was made bald and shoulders were rubbed bare—likely due to the physical demands of the siege equipment and the long exposure to the elements. Yet, despite their suffering and perseverance, Babylon received no immediate wages or plunder from Tyre.

Yet Jehovah had used Babylon as an instrument of His justice, fulfilling His purpose in bringing judgment upon Tyre for its pride and idolatry. Although Babylon did not recognize Jehovah nor wage war on His behalf knowingly, their actions were employed in service of His decreed plan. Thus, in Ezekiel 29:19–20, Jehovah declared that He would compensate them by giving Egypt to Babylon as a spoil.

Babylonian Sacrifices: Physical and Material Loss

The siege of Tyre was not just militarily taxing—it was economically draining and personally devastating. Thirteen years of warfare without reward is a loss few military leaders would accept. The Babylonian soldiers endured extreme hardships without compensation. They had sacrificed their time, health, and physical wellbeing in pursuit of what seemed to be a fruitless conquest. Yet Jehovah saw it all.

This is critical to understand: Jehovah is never blind to sacrifice, even when it comes from those who do not acknowledge Him. How much more, then, will He remember and reward the faithful sacrifices of those who serve Him out of love and obedience?

My Actions: Spiritual Warfare in the Present Age

Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness.” Every Christian is engaged in spiritual warfare. The Christian life is not a passive existence; it is a battlefield marked by resistance to sin, endurance through suffering, and perseverance in proclaiming truth in a world hostile to God.

While Babylon fought with swords and siege towers, we fight with prayer, Scripture, obedience, and bold evangelism. Our opponents are not human empires, but spiritual forces that resist truth and seek to suppress the gospel. And like Babylon, we often see no immediate “spoils” for our effort. We are maligned, ignored, or persecuted. Our spiritual sacrifices go unnoticed by the world. But not by Jehovah.

My Sacrifices: The Cost of Faithful Service

Faithful believers know the weight of sacrifice. Many have given up opportunities, careers, and relationships for the sake of Christ. Others have endured ridicule, alienation from family, and even poverty because they chose to honor God’s Word over worldly gain. Still more have labored in prayer, in Bible teaching, and in evangelism, with little to no earthly recognition.

Yet none of these sacrifices escape Jehovah’s notice.

Hebrews 6:10 declares: “For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name.” Our work may seem fruitless in the short term. Like Babylon before Tyre, we may labor for years without obvious results. But if God rewarded Babylon for laboring unknowingly in His service, how much more will He reward those who consciously serve Him in truth?

Paul reminds believers in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Just as Babylon was eventually compensated, the believer can be certain that Jehovah sees, remembers, and will reward every righteous effort.

Jehovah’s Reward to Babylon: Egypt as Wages

Jehovah’s compensation to Babylon was specific and substantial. Egypt was a wealthy nation. Its acquisition would not only replenish Babylon’s losses but provide abundance. This reveals something important about the nature of Jehovah’s justice: He does not merely repay; He rewards.

This reward was not random. Egypt had long been a nation of idolatry and had opposed Israel many times in history. By granting it to Babylon, Jehovah executed dual purposes: rewarding Babylon’s unintended service and judging Egypt’s arrogance and sin.

It must be emphasized that Babylon did not receive this reward because of righteousness, but because of service rendered to God’s plan. If this is true for a pagan, how much more so for a faithful servant who consciously loves and obeys Jehovah?

My Rewards from Jehovah: Present and Future

Jehovah is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6). While not every blessing comes immediately or materially, the Bible is clear that the believer’s sacrifices will be met with spiritual and eternal rewards.

Spiritual Rewards Now:
Believers enjoy peace with God (Rom. 5:1), joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17), and the assurance of being part of God’s family (Rom. 8:16). These internal blessings surpass material gain. Faithfulness yields growth in holiness, deeper knowledge of God, and increasing joy even in trials (James 1:2–4).

Material Provision When Needed:
Though not always abundant, God does provide for the needs of His faithful servants (Matt. 6:33). Many can testify to unexpected provision, healing, and protection that came precisely when needed most.

Future Rewards:
Scripture speaks often of future rewards for those who serve faithfully. Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Rev. 22:12). Paul speaks of crowns of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8), and Peter of an “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Pet. 1:4). Our works will be tested, and what is found faithful will receive reward (1 Cor. 3:13–14).

Malachi 3:16–18 provides a precious image: “A book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Jehovah and esteemed His name.” Jehovah does not forget. Every sacrifice is written down. Every tear, every hour spent, every risk taken, every act of obedience—He remembers them all.

Conclusion: How Then Should We Serve?

If Jehovah rewarded Babylon for 13 years of warfare with a pagan motive, how much more should we persevere in our spiritual warfare with divine purpose? If He gave Egypt to soldiers who knew Him not, what will He give to sons and daughters who love Him, serve Him, and proclaim His name?

“May Jehovah reward you for what you have done, and may there be a perfect wage for you from Jehovah” (Ruth 2:12). Let that be our confidence. We may not always see the fruit immediately. We may, like Babylon, feel we’ve labored in vain. But our King sees. And our reward is sure.

Let us, then, not grow weary in doing good. Let us sacrifice joyfully, serve faithfully, and preach boldly. Because the God who remembers Babylon remembers you.

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