Moab is Broken
May 4, 2020
Commentary
Moab descended from Lot and became known for pride and opposition toward God (vv. 36–47). The people trusted in their wealth and in Chemosh, their false god, believing they would be protected (vv. 7, 46). Yet God declared that judgment would come because of their pride and rebellion. Sorrow and mourning would spread throughout the land. God warned that no one would escape simply by running away. Those who fled would fall into pits, and those who escaped would be caught in traps (vv. 43–44). Even in judgment, God’s warnings revealed His desire for people to repent before destruction arrived and return humbly to seek His mercy. God called them to return before judgment.
Jeremiah grieved over the coming fall of Moab because of the suffering the people would experience (v. 36). Their wealth and security would disappear. People would mourn publicly and wear sackcloth as signs of sorrow (vv. 37–38). The Lord declared that Moab would become like a broken jar. Their enemy would sweep over the land like an eagle, and their cities would be captured (vv. 39–41). Moab’s downfall came because they proudly rejected the Lord and trusted false security.
The final part of this chapter describes refugees standing near Heshbon while destruction surrounded them (v. 45). Moab’s people and their children would be taken captive because they trusted Chemosh instead of the living God (v. 46). Yet this chapter does not end without hope. God promised that someday He would re-store Moab and bring the people back again (v. 47). This passage reminds believers that God opposes pride but extends mercy and hope to those who turn back to Him with humble and repentant hearts each day and seek Him.
Application
I am reminded not to trust in success, possessions, or anything that takes God’s place in my heart. Am I becoming proud or self-dependent? Am I ignoring God’s warnings and delaying repentance? What false security am I trusting today? Will I humbly re-turn to God and seek His mercy? Do I believe God still gives hope after failure?
Jeremiah 48:36–47 (NET)
36 So my heart moans for Moab like a flute playing a funeral song. Yes, like a flute playing a funeral song, my heart moans for the people of Kir Heres. For the wealth they have gained will perish.
37 For all of them will shave their heads in mourning. They will all cut off their beards to show their sorrow. They will all make gashes in their hands. They will all put on sackcloth.
38 On all the housetops in Moab and in all its public squares there will be nothing but mourning. For I will break Moab like an unwanted jar. I, the Lord, affirm it!
39 Oh, how shattered Moab will be! Oh, how her people will wail! Oh, how she will turn away in shame! Moab will become an object of ridicule, a terrifying sight to all the nations that surround her.”
40 For the Lord says, “Look! Like an eagle with outspread wings a nation will swoop down on Moab.
41 Her towns will be captured; her fortresses will be taken. At that time the soldiers of Moab will be frightened like a woman in labor.
42 Moab will be destroyed and no longer be a nation, because she has vaunted herself against the Lord.
43 Terror, pits, and traps are in store for the people who live in Moab. I, the Lord, affirm it!
44 Anyone who flees at the sound of terror will fall into a pit. Anyone who climbs out of the pit will be caught in a trap. For the time is coming when I will punish the people of Moab. I, the Lord, affirm it!
45 In the shadows of the walls of Heshbon those trying to escape will stand helpless. For a fire will burst forth from Heshbon. Flames will shoot out from the former territory of Sihon. They will burn the foreheads of the people of Moab, the skulls of those war-loving people.
46 Moab, you are doomed! You people who worship Chemosh will be destroyed. Your sons will be taken away captive. Your daughters will be carried away into exile.
47 Yet in future days I will reverse Moab’s ill fortune,” says the Lord. The judgment against Moab ends here.
Life is Made Up of a Series of Judgments
“Life is made up of a series of judgments on insufficient data, and if we waited to run down all our doubts, it would flow past us.” (Source Unknown – Lou Nicholes, Missionary/Author)