Jeremiah 48: Judgment on Moab and a Glimmer of Hope
Against Moab thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the Lord hath spoken.
Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.
Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth–el their confidence.
How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts.
The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!
Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?
Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth–diblathaim,
And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth–gamul, and upon Beth–meon,
And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the Lord.
Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the Lord: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole’s mouth.
We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
I know his wrath, saith the Lord; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.
Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir–heres.
O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.
Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the Lord, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kir–heres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the Lord.
They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
For thus saith the Lord; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the Lord.
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the Lord.
He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.
They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the Lord. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
Jeremiah 48 pronounces a detailed and devastating judgment upon Moab, a nation located east of the Dead Sea, nestled between Edom and Ammon. This chapter reveals not only God’s justice but also His profound sorrow over the consequences of sin and idolatry. While the immediate prophecy speaks of destruction, a faint but powerful promise of future restoration shines through, echoing God's ultimate mercy. This chapter of Jeremiah serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of pride, idolatry, and complacency, and highlights the importance of humility and repentance.
The Sin of Moab and the Coming Judgment (Jeremiah 48:1-10)
Moab, descendants of Lot and thus related to Abraham, should have been allies of Israel. However, history reveals a pattern of hostility and aggression, particularly during Israel's vulnerable moments. Therefore, Moab’s time had come to face divine judgment. Their primary sin was their reliance on Chemosh, a false god whose worship was an abomination to the Lord. Solomon, in his unfaithfulness, had even succumbed to worshipping this deity (1 Kings 11:7). Jeremiah prophesies the downfall of Chemosh, along with his priests and officials (Jeremiah 48:7).
The severity of God's anger is underscored in Jeremiah 48:10: "Cursed is the one who does the LORD's work negligently, and cursed is the one who keeps back his sword from bloodshed." This verse reveals the totality of the coming destruction and emphasizes the importance of carrying out God's judgment thoroughly.
Complacency and the Failure to Learn (Jeremiah 48:11-13)
A significant reason for Moab's downfall was their complacency. The nation had enjoyed relative peace and prosperity and had never experienced exile. Jeremiah 48:11 states, "Moab has been at ease from his youth; he has settled down on his dregs and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile." This lack of hardship bred a false sense of security and spiritual stagnation.
God declares that He will send "pourers to pour him out" (Jeremiah 48:12), indicating a complete and utter disruption of their comfortable existence. Moab failed to learn from the example of their cousins, Israel, who suffered greatly for their own idolatry. Moab would be humiliated because of Chemosh, just as Israel was put to shame for their idolatry at Bethel (Jeremiah 48:13; see 1 Kings 12:25-33).
The Scope and Imagery of Destruction (Jeremiah 48:14-28)
The judgment unleashed by God is comprehensive. Moab's warriors, in whom they gloried, would be powerless to stop the slaughter (Jeremiah 48:14-15). Even those in distant towns would witness the fleeing masses and inquire about the catastrophe (Jeremiah 48:19). The answer would be chilling: "Moab is destroyed" (Jeremiah 48:20).
Jeremiah uses vivid metaphors to illustrate the completeness of Moab's destruction: "Moab’s horn is cut off; his arm is broken" (Jeremiah 48:25). These images, familiar in the Old Testament, represent the loss of power and strength. Because Moab scorned the Lord by mocking His people, Israel, during their downfall (Jeremiah 48:26-27), they are warned to flee their cities and hide in caves to escape God's wrath (Jeremiah 48:28).
Pride and the Futility of Boasting (Jeremiah 48:29-39)
The root of Moab's problem was pride. Jeremiah 48:29 describes the nation as being known for "insolence, arrogance, pride, and haughtiness of heart." Their boasting, however, was empty and ultimately futile (Jeremiah 48:30). Despite their perceived security and prosperity, attributed to their false gods, neither their deities nor their army could prevent their destruction when God's fury was unleashed.
Despite the pronouncement of judgment, God expresses profound sorrow over Moab's fall. He declares, "I wail for Moab; I cry out for all Moab" (Jeremiah 48:31). "Therefore my heart moans for Moab like a flute" (Jeremiah 48:36). God takes no pleasure in judgment; it is His holy character that demands it. Moab's arrogance would ultimately lead to their being a laughingstock and a source of shock to all who witnessed their demise (Jeremiah 48:38-39).
The Suddenness of Judgment and the Inevitability of Consequences (Jeremiah 48:40-46)
God declares that He will swoop down on Moab like an eagle (Jeremiah 48:40), bringing swift and overwhelming destruction. Even the warriors would be rendered as helpless as a pregnant woman in labor (Jeremiah 48:41). The reason for this is clear: "Moab has exalted himself against the LORD" (Jeremiah 48:42).
Escape is impossible. "Terror, pit, and snare are before you, O inhabitant of Moab!" declares the Lord (Jeremiah 48:43). Those who flee will fall into the pit, and those who climb out of the pit will be caught in the snare (Jeremiah 48:44). When one makes oneself God's enemy, there is no refuge.
A Promise of Restoration (Jeremiah 48:47)
Amidst the dire prophecies, a glimmer of hope emerges. Just as with Egypt (Jeremiah 46:26), God declares, "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 48:47). This promise most likely refers to the millennial kingdom of Christ, offering a future for Moab beyond the immediate judgment. This final verse reminds us that God's judgment, while severe, is not always final. His mercy endures, and He offers hope even to those who have turned away from Him.
Jeremiah 48 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride, idolatry, and complacency. However, it also offers a message of hope, illustrating God's ultimate desire for restoration and reconciliation. It calls us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that we are not placing our trust in false idols or allowing pride to blind us to God's will.
Against Moab thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the Lord hath spoken.
Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.
Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth–el their confidence.
How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts.
The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!
Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?
Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth–diblathaim,
And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth–gamul, and upon Beth–meon,
And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the Lord.
Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the Lord: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole’s mouth.
We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
I know his wrath, saith the Lord; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.
Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir–heres.
O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.
Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the Lord, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kir–heres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the Lord.
They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
For thus saith the Lord; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the Lord.
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the Lord.
He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.
They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the Lord. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
Jeremiah 48 pronounces a detailed and devastating judgment upon Moab, a nation located east of the Dead Sea, nestled between Edom and Ammon. This chapter reveals not only God’s justice but also His profound sorrow over the consequences of sin and idolatry. While the immediate prophecy speaks of destruction, a faint but powerful promise of future restoration shines through, echoing God's ultimate mercy. This chapter of Jeremiah serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of pride, idolatry, and complacency, and highlights the importance of humility and repentance.
The Sin of Moab and the Coming Judgment (Jeremiah 48:1-10)
Moab, descendants of Lot and thus related to Abraham, should have been allies of Israel. However, history reveals a pattern of hostility and aggression, particularly during Israel's vulnerable moments. Therefore, Moab’s time had come to face divine judgment. Their primary sin was their reliance on Chemosh, a false god whose worship was an abomination to the Lord. Solomon, in his unfaithfulness, had even succumbed to worshipping this deity (1 Kings 11:7). Jeremiah prophesies the downfall of Chemosh, along with his priests and officials (Jeremiah 48:7).
The severity of God's anger is underscored in Jeremiah 48:10: "Cursed is the one who does the LORD's work negligently, and cursed is the one who keeps back his sword from bloodshed." This verse reveals the totality of the coming destruction and emphasizes the importance of carrying out God's judgment thoroughly.
Complacency and the Failure to Learn (Jeremiah 48:11-13)
A significant reason for Moab's downfall was their complacency. The nation had enjoyed relative peace and prosperity and had never experienced exile. Jeremiah 48:11 states, "Moab has been at ease from his youth; he has settled down on his dregs and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile." This lack of hardship bred a false sense of security and spiritual stagnation.
God declares that He will send "pourers to pour him out" (Jeremiah 48:12), indicating a complete and utter disruption of their comfortable existence. Moab failed to learn from the example of their cousins, Israel, who suffered greatly for their own idolatry. Moab would be humiliated because of Chemosh, just as Israel was put to shame for their idolatry at Bethel (Jeremiah 48:13; see 1 Kings 12:25-33).
The Scope and Imagery of Destruction (Jeremiah 48:14-28)
The judgment unleashed by God is comprehensive. Moab's warriors, in whom they gloried, would be powerless to stop the slaughter (Jeremiah 48:14-15). Even those in distant towns would witness the fleeing masses and inquire about the catastrophe (Jeremiah 48:19). The answer would be chilling: "Moab is destroyed" (Jeremiah 48:20).
Jeremiah uses vivid metaphors to illustrate the completeness of Moab's destruction: "Moab’s horn is cut off; his arm is broken" (Jeremiah 48:25). These images, familiar in the Old Testament, represent the loss of power and strength. Because Moab scorned the Lord by mocking His people, Israel, during their downfall (Jeremiah 48:26-27), they are warned to flee their cities and hide in caves to escape God's wrath (Jeremiah 48:28).
Pride and the Futility of Boasting (Jeremiah 48:29-39)
The root of Moab's problem was pride. Jeremiah 48:29 describes the nation as being known for "insolence, arrogance, pride, and haughtiness of heart." Their boasting, however, was empty and ultimately futile (Jeremiah 48:30). Despite their perceived security and prosperity, attributed to their false gods, neither their deities nor their army could prevent their destruction when God's fury was unleashed.
Despite the pronouncement of judgment, God expresses profound sorrow over Moab's fall. He declares, "I wail for Moab; I cry out for all Moab" (Jeremiah 48:31). "Therefore my heart moans for Moab like a flute" (Jeremiah 48:36). God takes no pleasure in judgment; it is His holy character that demands it. Moab's arrogance would ultimately lead to their being a laughingstock and a source of shock to all who witnessed their demise (Jeremiah 48:38-39).
The Suddenness of Judgment and the Inevitability of Consequences (Jeremiah 48:40-46)
God declares that He will swoop down on Moab like an eagle (Jeremiah 48:40), bringing swift and overwhelming destruction. Even the warriors would be rendered as helpless as a pregnant woman in labor (Jeremiah 48:41). The reason for this is clear: "Moab has exalted himself against the LORD" (Jeremiah 48:42).
Escape is impossible. "Terror, pit, and snare are before you, O inhabitant of Moab!" declares the Lord (Jeremiah 48:43). Those who flee will fall into the pit, and those who climb out of the pit will be caught in the snare (Jeremiah 48:44). When one makes oneself God's enemy, there is no refuge.
A Promise of Restoration (Jeremiah 48:47)
Amidst the dire prophecies, a glimmer of hope emerges. Just as with Egypt (Jeremiah 46:26), God declares, "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 48:47). This promise most likely refers to the millennial kingdom of Christ, offering a future for Moab beyond the immediate judgment. This final verse reminds us that God's judgment, while severe, is not always final. His mercy endures, and He offers hope even to those who have turned away from Him.
Jeremiah 48 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride, idolatry, and complacency. However, it also offers a message of hope, illustrating God's ultimate desire for restoration and reconciliation. It calls us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that we are not placing our trust in false idols or allowing pride to blind us to God's will.