What The Lord Says About Arabia And Elam
May 19, 2021
Commentary
God’s Judgment against Arabia (Kedar and Hazor) – (vv. 28-33). These were two desert peoples (nomadic Arab nations conquered by Nebuchadnezzar (vv. 28-29) that lived by raising sheep and camels. They were guilty of living at ease, isolating themselves from others, and being full of pride and self-confidence. When Nebuchadnezzar arrives on the scene they are urged to flee and hide (v. 30). Kedar was a, little known, Bedouin tribe that descended from Ishmael (Gen. 25:13) and lived in the Syrian desert east of Palestine (vv. 28-29). These people were known for their skills in archery (Isa. 21:16-17). The people of Hazor, an unknown place in the Arabian desert felt so secure in their desert location that they did not even have city gates or bars to protect them against attack (vv. 30-31). They didn’t think they needed God and they didn’t need the help of any other people (vv, 32-33).
God’s Judgment against Elam (vv. 34-39). The Elamites were a Semitic people who lived east of Babylon, bordered by Assyria and Media on the north, the Persian Gulf on the south and Persia on the east. Later it became the center of the Persian Empire (Dan. 8:2) and the residence of Darius. Today this is the country of Iran. It states that her invaders would come from all directions (the four winds and the four quarters of the heavens) and would scatter Elam’s exiles throughout the earth, but someday would be brought back to their land..
Application
Jeremiah 49:28– 39 (NET)
28 The Lord spoke about Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered: “Army of Babylon, go and attack Kedar. Lay waste those who live in the eastern desert.
29 Their tents and their flocks will be taken away. Their tent curtains, equipment, and camels will be carried off. People will shout to them, ‘Terror is all around you!’”
30 The Lord says, “Flee quickly, you who live in Hazor. Take up refuge in remote places. For King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has laid out plans to attack you. He has formed his strategy on how to defeat you.”
31 The Lord says, “Army of Babylon, go and attack a nation that lives in peace and security. They have no gates or walls to protect them. They live all alone.
32 Their camels will be taken as plunder. Their vast herds will be taken as spoil. I will scatter to the four winds those desert peoples who cut their hair short at the temples. I will bring disaster against them from every direction,” says the Lord.
33 “Hazor will become a permanent wasteland, a place where only jackals live. No one will live there. No human being will settle in it.”
34 This was the Lord’s message to the prophet Jeremiah about Elam, which came early in the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah.
35 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies said: “I will kill all the archers of Elam, who are the chief source of her military might.
36 I will cause enemies to blow through Elam from every direction like the winds blowing in from the four quarters of heaven. I will scatter the people of Elam to the four winds. There will not be any nation where the refugees of Elam will not go.
37 I will make the people of Elam terrified of their enemies, who are seeking to kill them. I will vent my fierce anger and bring disaster upon them,” says the Lord. “I will send armies chasing after them until I have completely destroyed them.
38 I will establish my sovereignty over Elam. I will destroy their king and their leaders,” says the Lord.
39 “Yet in future days I will reverse Elam’s ill fortune,” says the Lord.