Jeremiah 49: Judgments on the Nations
Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the Lord; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the Lord.
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.
Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?
Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord God of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.
And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the Lord.
Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.
If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.
Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
For thus saith the Lord; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.
For I have sworn by myself, saith the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
I have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord.
Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the Lord of hosts.
And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben–hadad.
Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the Lord; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.
Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side.
Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the Lord; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.
Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the Lord, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.
And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the Lord.
And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the Lord; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:
And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the Lord.
But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 49 focuses on God's pronouncements of judgment against several nations surrounding Israel. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and that no one can escape His justice. While the prophecies speak of destruction and upheaval, they also offer glimpses of hope and restoration, revealing the complexity of God's character as both Judge and Redeemer.
49:1-6 Judgment on Ammon
The prophecy begins with Ammon, a nation closely related to Moab, both descended from Lot (Genesis 19:36-38). The reasons for Ammon's impending doom echo those of Moab: their mistreatment of Israel, their idolatry, and their pride. Jeremiah specifically calls out their worship of Milcom (also known as Molech), an abomination to the Lord due to its horrifying practice of child sacrifice (Leviticus 20:1-5; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31).
Ammon had seized land belonging to the tribe of Gad, but God declares a reversal: Israel will dispossess those who dispossessed them (Jeremiah 49:1-2). This act of reclaiming what was unjustly taken highlights God's commitment to justice and His protection of His people.
However, amidst the pronouncements of judgment, a glimmer of hope emerges. Similar to the prophecies against Egypt, Moab, and Elam, God promises to restore the fortunes of the Ammonites in the future (Jeremiah 49:6; see Jeremiah 46:26; 48:47). This promise underscores the enduring nature of God's mercy and His ultimate desire for reconciliation.
49:7-22 Judgment on Edom
Next, Jeremiah turns his attention to Edom, the land of Esau, Jacob's brother. The Edomites were known for their wisdom, particularly the wisdom of Teman (Jeremiah 49:7). Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's counselors, is a testament to this reputation (Job 2:11). Yet, their wisdom proves insufficient to save them from God's judgment.
Jeremiah paints a picture of Edom's complete and utter destruction. Unlike a grape harvest where gleanings are left behind, or a robbery where only specific items are taken, Edom will be completely stripped bare (Jeremiah 49:9-10). A particularly ominous note is the absence of any promise of future restoration for Edom, a stark contrast to the prophecies concerning Egypt, Moab, Ammon and Elam.
The Edomites' perceived security, based on their strategic geographic location in the rocky highlands (Jeremiah 49:16), proves to be a false sense of security. God will swoop down upon them like an eagle, bringing devastation that their natural defenses cannot withstand (Jeremiah 49:22). This serves as a cautionary tale against placing our trust in earthly strongholds rather than in God.
49:23-27 Judgment on Damascus
Damascus, the capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), is the next target of God's judgment. Even though God calls it "the town that brings me joy" (Jeremiah 49:25), its warriors are destined to perish (Jeremiah 49:26). The Lord of Armies is directing events, and the Babylonian army will be unstoppable. This emphasizes God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations, using them as instruments to fulfill His purposes.
49:28-33 Judgment on Kedar and Hazor
Kedar and Hazor were nomadic tribes of Arabia who also face the fury of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 49:28). They lived in relative ease and security, or so they believed. They were unwalled, without doors or gate bars (Jeremiah 49:31), making them vulnerable to attack. The devastation will be so complete that no one will dwell in their territory, not even temporarily (Jeremiah 49:33). This illustrates the danger of complacency and the importance of seeking true security in God.
49:34-39 Judgment on Elam
Finally, Jeremiah pronounces judgment on Elam, a kingdom east of Babylon in modern-day Iran (Jeremiah 49:34). The judgments are tailored to the specific characteristics of each nation. Elam was known for its skilled archers, so God declares that He will shatter Elam's bow, the very thing in which they trusted (Jeremiah 49:35). God declares, "I will set my throne in Elam" (Jeremiah 49:38), emphasizing His sovereign authority over all nations.
Despite the impending destruction, God leaves Elam with a promise of future restoration: "In the last days, I will restore the fortunes of Elam" (Jeremiah 49:39; see also Jeremiah 46:26; 48:47; 49:6). This final promise underscores the overarching theme of God's mercy and His ultimate plan for redemption, even for those who have turned away from Him.
Jeremiah 49 serves as a sobering reminder of God's justice and sovereignty over all nations. However, it also offers a message of hope, reminding us that even in the midst of judgment, God's mercy endures, and He ultimately desires the restoration of all people.
Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the Lord; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the Lord.
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.
Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?
Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord God of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.
And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the Lord.
Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.
If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.
Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
For thus saith the Lord; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.
For I have sworn by myself, saith the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
I have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord.
Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the Lord of hosts.
And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben–hadad.
Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the Lord; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.
Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side.
Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the Lord; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.
Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the Lord, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.
And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the Lord.
And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the Lord; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:
And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the Lord.
But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 49 focuses on God's pronouncements of judgment against several nations surrounding Israel. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and that no one can escape His justice. While the prophecies speak of destruction and upheaval, they also offer glimpses of hope and restoration, revealing the complexity of God's character as both Judge and Redeemer.
49:1-6 Judgment on Ammon
The prophecy begins with Ammon, a nation closely related to Moab, both descended from Lot (Genesis 19:36-38). The reasons for Ammon's impending doom echo those of Moab: their mistreatment of Israel, their idolatry, and their pride. Jeremiah specifically calls out their worship of Milcom (also known as Molech), an abomination to the Lord due to its horrifying practice of child sacrifice (Leviticus 20:1-5; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31).
Ammon had seized land belonging to the tribe of Gad, but God declares a reversal: Israel will dispossess those who dispossessed them (Jeremiah 49:1-2). This act of reclaiming what was unjustly taken highlights God's commitment to justice and His protection of His people.
However, amidst the pronouncements of judgment, a glimmer of hope emerges. Similar to the prophecies against Egypt, Moab, and Elam, God promises to restore the fortunes of the Ammonites in the future (Jeremiah 49:6; see Jeremiah 46:26; 48:47). This promise underscores the enduring nature of God's mercy and His ultimate desire for reconciliation.
49:7-22 Judgment on Edom
Next, Jeremiah turns his attention to Edom, the land of Esau, Jacob's brother. The Edomites were known for their wisdom, particularly the wisdom of Teman (Jeremiah 49:7). Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's counselors, is a testament to this reputation (Job 2:11). Yet, their wisdom proves insufficient to save them from God's judgment.
Jeremiah paints a picture of Edom's complete and utter destruction. Unlike a grape harvest where gleanings are left behind, or a robbery where only specific items are taken, Edom will be completely stripped bare (Jeremiah 49:9-10). A particularly ominous note is the absence of any promise of future restoration for Edom, a stark contrast to the prophecies concerning Egypt, Moab, Ammon and Elam.
The Edomites' perceived security, based on their strategic geographic location in the rocky highlands (Jeremiah 49:16), proves to be a false sense of security. God will swoop down upon them like an eagle, bringing devastation that their natural defenses cannot withstand (Jeremiah 49:22). This serves as a cautionary tale against placing our trust in earthly strongholds rather than in God.
49:23-27 Judgment on Damascus
Damascus, the capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), is the next target of God's judgment. Even though God calls it "the town that brings me joy" (Jeremiah 49:25), its warriors are destined to perish (Jeremiah 49:26). The Lord of Armies is directing events, and the Babylonian army will be unstoppable. This emphasizes God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations, using them as instruments to fulfill His purposes.
49:28-33 Judgment on Kedar and Hazor
Kedar and Hazor were nomadic tribes of Arabia who also face the fury of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 49:28). They lived in relative ease and security, or so they believed. They were unwalled, without doors or gate bars (Jeremiah 49:31), making them vulnerable to attack. The devastation will be so complete that no one will dwell in their territory, not even temporarily (Jeremiah 49:33). This illustrates the danger of complacency and the importance of seeking true security in God.
49:34-39 Judgment on Elam
Finally, Jeremiah pronounces judgment on Elam, a kingdom east of Babylon in modern-day Iran (Jeremiah 49:34). The judgments are tailored to the specific characteristics of each nation. Elam was known for its skilled archers, so God declares that He will shatter Elam's bow, the very thing in which they trusted (Jeremiah 49:35). God declares, "I will set my throne in Elam" (Jeremiah 49:38), emphasizing His sovereign authority over all nations.
Despite the impending destruction, God leaves Elam with a promise of future restoration: "In the last days, I will restore the fortunes of Elam" (Jeremiah 49:39; see also Jeremiah 46:26; 48:47; 49:6). This final promise underscores the overarching theme of God's mercy and His ultimate plan for redemption, even for those who have turned away from Him.
Jeremiah 49 serves as a sobering reminder of God's justice and sovereignty over all nations. However, it also offers a message of hope, reminding us that even in the midst of judgment, God's mercy endures, and He ultimately desires the restoration of all people.