Jeremiah 48
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CHAPTER 48
A Message About Moab (48:1–47)
1–10 In this chapter, Jeremiah prophesies about the judgment that is to come upon Moab124 for its longstanding hostility to Israel. This prophecy was fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Moab in 582 B.C., after which Moab ceased to exist as a nation.
In verses 1–10, the Lord promises judgment on various cities of Moab; the entire country will be broken (verse 4). Though they trust in their deeds and riches, the Moabites will soon be taken captive (verse 7); even their national god Chemosh will be carried into exile.125 The destroyer (Nebuchadnezzar) will ruin the entire country (verse 8); even salt will be put on the ground so that the land will remain barren (verse 9). Those Babylonians who are lax in doing the LORD’s work of judgment will be cursed (verse 10); the agents appointed to destroy Moab must accomplish their task with diligence.
11–13 The Moabites had never been sent into exile (verse 11). But days are coming—days when they would be “poured out” into captivity (verse 12). Then they would be ashamed of their god Chemosh who had failed to protect them (verse 13), just as the Israelites of the northern kingdom had been ashamed of the golden calf at Bethel which had failed to keep them from going into exile (see 1 Kings 12:28–30).
14–17 It is the King, the Lord, who will be responsible for Moab’s destruction. Moab’s fate is not in the hands of Moab’s king; it is not even in the hands of Babylon’s king who, after all, is only the Lord’s servant. No, the fate of nations is ultimately in the hands of only one King, whose name is the LORD Almighty (verse 15).
18–25 Additional cities of Moab are listed in these verses, starting with Dibon (verses 18,22); they will all be destroyed. With the loss of these cities, Moab’s horn (strength) will be cut off (verse 25).
26–28 Moab will be drunk from drinking the cup of God’s wrath (see Jeremiah 25:15–16). Just as Israel had been ridiculed by Moab, so it was now Moab’s turn to be an object of ridicule (verse 26).
29–36 These verses are an expanded version of Isaiah 16:6–12. The Moabites’ chief sins were pride (verse 29) and idolatry (verse 35). Note that Jeremiah himself “wails” for Moab (verse 31). His words of judgment are never heartless or vindictive. His heart laments for Moab like a flute (verse 36)—like the flutes played by mourners at a funeral (Matthew 9:23–24).
37–39 The Moabites will indeed be in mourning:heads will be shaved, beards cut off, hands slashed—all signs of grief and mourning.
40–44 An eagle (Nebuchadnezzar) is swooping down on Moab. There will be no escape. The Lord’s judgment, once final, cannot be reversed.
45–46 These verses echo an ancient prophecy about King Sihon and his chief city Heshbon (see Numbers 21:28–29). Heshbon was north of Moab, and in Jeremiah’s time it was a major city of Ammon. The Ammonites may have allied themselves with Nebuchadnezzar as he attacked Moab from the north. It appears that that ancient prophecy was about to be fulfilled: a fire would soon be going out from Heshbon to consume the people of Moab.
47 But here note the mercy of God. In due time, God will restore the fortunes of Moab when its period of judgment is over (see Jeremiah 46:26). This will happen in days to come—that is, in the days of the Messiah. God will restore the fortunes not only of His chosen people Israel, but also of the Gentiles; He will shine His grace upon the Gentiles. That grace began to shine with the coming of Jesus Christ, who was full of grace and truth (John 1:14); and it will continue to shine forevermore.