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Jeremiah

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Jeremiah 48

1Of Moab. Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Woe unto Nebo! for it is laid waste; Kiriathaim is put to shame, it is taken; Misgab is put to shame and broken down.

1Against 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.

Commentary · verse 1

The prophecies in this chapter transitioned to a focus on Moab. Remember, Moab was from Lot.

2The praise of Moab is no more; in Heshbon they have devised evil against her: Come, and let us cut her off from being a nation. Thou also, O Madmen, shalt be brought to silence; the sword shall pursue thee.

2There 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.

Commentary · verse 2

Moab had continually acted against Israel and judgment was imminent.

3The sound of a cry from Horonaim, desolation and great destruction!

3A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.

Commentary · verse 3

Horonaim was a city in Moab.

4Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.

4Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.

Commentary · verse 4

Moab was destroyed.

5For by the ascent of Luhith with continual weeping shall they go up; for at the descent of Horonaim they have heard the distress of the cry of destruction.

6Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.

5For 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.

6Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.

Commentary · verses 5-6

The Moabites were told to flee to save their lives.

7For, because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou also shalt be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, his priests and his princes together.

7For 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.

Commentary · verse 7

The reason they were judged was because they trusted in themselves and their possessions. They would be taken captive along with Chemosh, the Moabite god. Remember, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh: 1 Kings 11.

8And the destroyer shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape; the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed; as Jehovah hath spoken.

8And 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.

Commentary · verse 8

The destroyer was Babylon.

9Give wings unto Moab, that she may fly and get her away: and her cities shall become a desolation, without any to dwell therein.

10Cursed be he that doeth the work of Jehovah negligently; and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

9Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.

10Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

Commentary · verses 9-10

The Moabites were negligent, meant deceitful. Cursed was he who did God's work deceitfully. Deception was a right WHAT with a wrong or no HOW/WHY. This verse meant that a man who did God's work with his own how/why was being deceitful.

11Moab 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 remaineth in him, and his scent is not changed.

11Moab 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.

Commentary · verse 11

To this point, Moab had not experienced judgment and continued to walk in their own ways.

12Therefore, behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will send unto him them that pour off, and they shall pour him off; and they shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles in pieces.

13And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence.

12Therefore, 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.

13And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth–el their confidence.

Commentary · verses 12-13

The judgment Moab faced would cause them to be ashamed of Chemosh (their god) just as Israel was ashamed of the gods made in Beth-el.

14How say ye, We are mighty men, and valiant men for the war?

15Moab is laid waste, and they are gone up into his cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is Jehovah of hosts.

16The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.

14How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?

15Moab 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.

16The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.

Commentary · verses 14-16

Moab was no longer mighty but waste. Their affliction was near and coming fast.

17All ye that are round about him, bemoan him, and all ye that know his name; say, How is the strong staff broken, the beautiful rod!

18O thou daughter that dwellest in Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the destroyer of Moab is come up against thee, he hath destroyed thy strongholds.

19O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and watch: ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth; say, What hath been done?

20Moab is put to shame; for it is broken down: wail and cry; tell ye it by the Arnon, that Moab is laid waste.

17All 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!

18Thou 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.

19O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?

20Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,

Commentary · verses 17-20

They were told to mourn because Moab was put to shame.

21And judgment is come upon the plain country, upon Holon, and upon Jahzah, and upon Mephaath, 22and upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim, 23and upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon, 24and upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.

25The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith Jehovah.

21And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,

22And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth–diblathaim,

23And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth–gamul, and upon Beth–meon,

24And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.

25The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

Commentary · verses 21-25

All the cities of Moab would experience this judgment.

26Make ye him drunken; for he magnified himself against Jehovah: and Moab shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.

27For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for as often as thou speakest of him, thou waggest the head.

26Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.

27For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.

Commentary · verses 26-27

Moab treated Israel as a joke, they continually mocked (derision) Israel.

28O ye inhabitants of Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock; and be like the dove that maketh her nest over the mouth of the abyss.

29We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; his loftiness, and his pride, and his arrogancy, and the haughtiness of his heart.

30I know his wrath, saith Jehovah, that it is nought; his boastings have wrought nothing.

28O 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.

29We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.

30I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.

Commentary · verses 28-30

God was aware of Moab's pride. Notice, Moab's pride brought forth nothing…no profit.

31Therefore will I wail for Moab; yea, I will cry out for all Moab: for the men of Kir-heres shall they mourn.

31Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir–heres.

Commentary · verse 31

Lamentation for Moab…

32With more than the weeping of Jazer will I weep for thee, O vine of Sibmah: thy branches passed over the sea, they reached even to the sea of Jazer: upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage the destroyer is fallen.

33And gladness and joy is taken away from the fruitful field and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to cease from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; the shouting shall be no shouting.

32O 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.

33And 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.

Commentary · verses 32-33

There would be no gladness and no joy in Moab. The fruit and wine would cease and since they trusted in these things more than God, they would be filled with sorrow.

34From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, even unto Jahaz have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, to Eglath-shelishiyah: for the waters of Nimrim also shall become desolate.

35Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith Jehovah, him that offereth in the high place, and him that burneth incense to his gods.

34From 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.

35Moreover 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.

Commentary · verses 34-35

God would cause idolatry in the high places of Moab to stop.

36Therefore my heart soundeth for Moab like pipes, and my heart soundeth like pipes for the men of Kir-heres: therefore the abundance that he hath gotten is perished.

37For every head is bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands are cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.

36Therefore 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.

37For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.

Commentary · verses 36-37

More imagery of distress and mourning.

38On all the housetops of Moab and in the streets thereof there is lamentation every where; for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein none delighteth, saith Jehovah.

39How is it broken down! how do they wail! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab become a derision and a terror to all that are round about him.

38There 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.

39They 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.

Commentary · verses 38-39

Just as Israel was a derision (mockery) to Moab, Moab would be a derision to those around him. God was Just.

40For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Moab.

40For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.

Commentary · verse 40

Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon would come quickly against Moab.

41Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds are seized, and the heart of the mighty men of Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

41Kerioth 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.

Commentary · verse 41

The mighty men of Moab would experience much pain.

42And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against Jehovah.

42And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.

Commentary · verse 42

This was fulfilled. After Moab's captivity to Babylon, the nation was not again brought together.

43Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith Jehovah.

44He 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 him, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith Jehovah.

43Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.

44He 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.

Commentary · verses 43-44

Moab would be destroyed in a number of ways.

45They that fled stand without strength under the shadow of Heshbon; for a fire is gone forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and hath devoured the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.

46Woe unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh is undone; for thy sons are taken away captive, and thy daughters into captivity.

47Yet will I bring back the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith Jehovah. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.

45They 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.

46Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.

47Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.

Commentary · verses 45-47

Moab will be restored in the "latter days": the Millennium.

Commentary · verse 47

Jeremiah 45-48 covered prophecies against Gentile powers: Egypt and north African countries, Philistia, and Moab.

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