JEREMIAH LESSON 49
We will begin this lesson in Jeremiah 47:1 "The word of the LORD
that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that
Pharaoh smote Gaza."
This begins a prophecy against the Philistines, who had been
strong rivals of the nation of Israel. They settled in the coastal
area of Palestine. One of their cities was Gaza. It appears, from
this, that Egypt, or Babylon, attacked these Philistines. This
prophecy was prior to that attack.
Jeremiah 47:2 "Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of
the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the
land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein:
then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall
howl."
This is an army so great it seems like a flood. This is,
probably, speaking of a Babylonian army, since it mentions the north.
This is a furiously fast army that attacks. The battle is so great,
the people cry out in fear.
Jeremiah 47:3 "At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his
strong [horses], at the rushing of his chariots, [and at] the rumbling
of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to [their] children for
feebleness of hands;"
The chariots and horses come through so fast, that the fathers
will not be able to reach out and help their children. The fathers
will not be able to protect their families in this case.
Jeremiah 47:4 "Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the
Philistines, [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that
remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the
country of Caphtor."
This is a judgement of God against these Philistines. Tyrus is
the Greek form of Tyre. Tyre was a city about 10 miles from Zidon.
They were, probably, attacked at the same time as Gaza. The LORD was
the spoiler in this. Caphtor was another name for Crete. This is where
these people came from originally.
Jeremiah 47:5 "Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off
[with] the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?"
"Baldness" is associated with extreme mourning. This would be for
the great loss of life. Ashkelon was on the top of a mountain near the
sea. Cutting themselves was a type of mourning, as well. They might as
well stop mourning. This judgement against them is of God.
Jeremiah 47:6 "O thou sword of the LORD, how long [will it be]
ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be
still."
It is as if the LORD is doing a thorough work, before He stops.
His wrath has come up in His face. He will stop, when they are all
punished.
Jeremiah 47:7 "How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it
a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he
appointed it."
The judgement God has spoken will be carried out to the fullest.
It will not stop, until every prophecy He made about it is fulfilled.
We will continue on now in Jeremiah 48:1 "Against 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."
Moab is a Gentile city, or state. "Moab" was the name of Lot's
eldest daughter's son that she had from committing incest with her
father. He was the founder of the Moabites. They had an evil
beginning, and their morals were no better at the time of this
prophecy. Nebo was a place in the mountains, where the false god
"Nebo" was worshipped. This woe is against the false god, and against
the area where he was worshipped. Kiriathaim was known as the city of
the terrible. Misgab, here, could mean fortress. A fortress will not
hold back God.
Jeremiah 48:2 "[There 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."
Their destruction was great physically, but they were humiliated,
as well. These evil men of Moab are the madmen.
Jeremiah 48:3 "A voice of crying [shall be] from Horonaim,
spoiling and great destruction."
Horonaim is a city of Moab near the border of Edom.
Jeremiah 48:4 "Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a
cry to be heard."
I believe this is speaking of the entire land of Moab being
destroyed. The crying of the children just shows the magnitude of the
destruction.
Jeremiah 48:5 "For 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."
This shows that the destruction is widespread.
Jeremiah 48:6 "Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in
the wilderness."
Their only chance of survival, is to flee to the wilderness.
Heath is speaking of the destitute. We are all destitute, until we
reach out to God for His help. Our help is in the Lord.
Jeremiah 48:7 "For 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."
The works are, probably, the same as the works of their hands.
This could be speaking of their idols they worshipped. They worshipped
idols, and trusted in their money, as well. This sounds very familiar
doesn't it?
Jeremiah 48:8 "And 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."
This needs no explanation, this is total destruction.
Jeremiah 48:9 "Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get
away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell
therein."
Moab is spoken of here as a bird that flies away. The problem is,
there is no safe place to land. The whole land is desolate.
Jeremiah 48:10 "Cursed [be] he that doeth the work of the LORD
deceitfully, and cursed [be] he that keepeth back his sword from
blood."
This is not just Moab, but anyone who deals deceitfully with the
Word of God. II Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth."
Jeremiah 48:11 "Moab 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."
Another way of explaining this, is that God has not chastised
them before. They have lived as they pleased. Their sins have not been
pointed out to them for them to change the smell. God chastises His
children, not the world.
Jeremiah 48:12 "Therefore, 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."
Moab is sometimes spoken of as a wine jar. This jar would have a
flat side. The person drinking could tilt it to the side and not get
trash from the bottom. If these bottles were broken, the new ones
would not have this special side.
Jeremiah 48:13 "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the
house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence."
There had been an alternate place of worship set up at Bethel.
The part they were ashamed of, was the golden calf used in the worship
services. This was idolatry.
Jeremiah 48:14 "How say ye, We [are] mighty and strong men for
the war?" Jeremiah 48:15 "Moab 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."
They might have been strong in the past, but now their young
strong men had been killed in battle. There were no strong left to
fight.
Jeremiah 48:16 "The calamity of Moab [is] near to come, and his
affliction hasteth fast." Jeremiah 48:17 "All 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!"
The lamenting would be great, because of all of Moab is
desolation.
Jeremiah 48:18 "Thou 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."
Dibon was a city that was either of Gad, or Reuben. It was in
Moab, and was destroyed as the other cities. I believe the word
"daughter" was used to show they had been from one of the tribes of
Israel.
Jeremiah 48:19 "O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and
espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, [and] say, What is
done?"
Aroer would have been on the edge of the country on the way of
their flight out. "Espy" means to peer into the distance. They looked
down the road, and saw them fleeing, and asked them, why they were
fleeing?
Jeremiah 48:20 "Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl
and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,"
This is the answer to verse 19. They are fleeing, because they
have been defeated.
Jeremiah 48:21 "And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon
Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath," Jeremiah 48:22 "And upon
Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim," Jeremiah 48:23 "And
upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon," Jeremiah
48:24 "And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of
the land of Moab, far or near."
The Scriptures, above, are a listing of the destroyed cities of
Moab.
Jeremiah 48:25 "The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is
broken, saith the LORD."
The "horn", throughout the Bible, symbolizes strength. This is
saying, their strength is gone. The arm is an instrument of ability to
do the things necessary. The arm can no more do these tasks.
Jeremiah 48:26 "Make ye him drunken: for he magnified [himself]
against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also
shall be in derision."
This is just showing the extent of the despair throughout Moab.
He is drunk and wallowing in the vomit, because he cannot face the
reality surrounding him.
Jeremiah 48:27 "For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he
found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for
joy."
"Derision" means a pond to swim in, in this Scripture. They had
spoken disrespectfully of Israel. They were happy over Israel's
problems. Now, they have problems of their own.
Jeremiah 48:28 "O 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."
This is just saying, Moab will not be a safe place to be. The
dove hides her little ones to keep them safe.
Jeremiah 48:29 "We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding
proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the
haughtiness of his heart."
Pride goeth before a fall. All of this will fade away, when the
judgement of God falls upon Moab.
Jeremiah 48:30 "I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but [it shall]
not [be] so; his lies shall not so effect [it]."
Moab will lie no more. They have been rendered helpless.
Jeremiah 48:31 "Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry
out for all Moab; [mine heart] shall mourn for the men of Kir-heres."
All of Moab is destroyed, and the prophet Jeremiah cries out in
anguish at the terrible destruction.
Jeremiah 48:32 "O 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."
The wonderful vineyards are all gone.
Jeremiah 48:33 "And 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."
Without the fruit of the vineyard, there can be no wine made.
Sometimes wine, joy, and gladness are thought of as all part of each
other. Wine, perhaps, gives a false sense of joy and gladness.
Jeremiah 48:34 "From 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."
Again, we see the extent of the widespread desolation. The cry of
a heifer three years old. is speaking of when she has her first calf.
The cry of one city goes to another, and so on.
Jeremiah 48:35 "Moreover 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."
Now, we see the reason for the widespread destruction. They
worship false gods. The burning of incense to a false god was an
abomination to God. The LORD stopped them Himself.
Jeremiah 48:36 "Therefore 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."
These pipes were used at funerals. This gives off a very mournful
sound. Jeremiah mourns, even though he knows God's judgement is just.
Jeremiah 48:37 "For every head [shall be] bald, and every beard
clipped: upon all the hands [shall be] cuttings, and upon the loins
sackcloth."
All of these things are outward signs of mourning.
Jeremiah 48:38 "[There 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."
These housetops are where they burned their incense to the false
gods, so it would be correct for them to be places of mourning now.
Jeremiah 48:39 "They 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."
Not only was Moab defeated, but they were humiliated, as well.
They could not understand how this could happen to so strong a land.
Jeremiah 48:40 "For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as
an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab."
This is speaking of the leader of their oppressor, possibly,
Nebuchadnezzar, who swoops down like an eagle and takes his prey.
Jeremiah 48:41 "Kerioth 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."
This is speaking of fear and pain that comes upon these men, as a
woman giving birth.
Jeremiah 48:42 "And Moab shall be destroyed from [being] a
people, because he hath magnified [himself] against the LORD."
Lucifer found out that you do not magnify yourself against the
LORD. This is just punishment for such a horrendous sin.
Jeremiah 48:43 "Fear, and the pit, and the snare, [shall be] upon
thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD."
All of these things happen, when a people are doomed. There is no
escape. Unchecked sin brings this type of doom, whether you are Moab,
or anyone else.
Jeremiah 48:44 "He 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."
The year of their visitation speaks of their death. This
judgement is of God, and there is no escape.
Jeremiah 48:45 "They 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."
They may escape imprisonment, but if they do, the fire will
destroy them. There is no escaping the wrath of God.
Jeremiah 48:46 "Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh
perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters
captives." Jeremiah 48:47 "Yet will I bring again the captivity of
Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far [is] the judgment of
Moab."
Some are killed,and the others are taken captive. In the end
times {latter days}, God will bring Moab back to its land.
Jeremiah 49 Questions
1. Who is this prophecy against?
2. They had been strong _________ of Israel.
3. What is verse 2 speaking of?
4. Why will the fathers not be able to help the children?
5. In verse 4, we see this is a judgement of _______.
6. Tyre is ____ miles from Zidon?
7. Caphtor is another name for _______.
8. "Baldness" is associated with extreme __________.
9. Where was Ashkelon located?
10. Why should they stop the mourning?
11. When will the war stop?
12. Who was "Moab"?
13. Who was "Nebo"?
14. Kiriathsaim was known as the city of the _________.
15. Their destruction was great physically, but they were _________,
as well.
16. How could they save their lives?
17. What had they trusted in, instead of in God?
18. In verse 9, Moab is spoken of as what?
19. Who, besides Moab, is cursed, if they deceitfully use the Word of
God?
20. Quote 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 15.
21. What is another way of explaining verse 11?
22. Moab is sometimes spoken of as a _______ jar.
23. Why was the house of Israel ashamed about Bethel?
24. What had happened to the young, strong men?
25. What does "espy" mean?
26. Why is Moab fleeing?
27. What verses give a list of the destroyed cities?
28. What does the "horn" symbolize in the Bible?
29. Why are they drunk in verse 26?
30. What does "derision", in verse 27, mean?
31. What has happened to the vineyards?
32. Wine gives a false sense of ________ and ________.
33. What was the reason for the widespread destruction?
34. What are the pipes, in verse 36, used for?
35. Where were the lamentations given?
36. What are some of the outward signs of mourning?
37. Who is flying like an eagle in verse 40?
38. _________ found out you do not magnify yourself against the LORD.
39. What will happen to them, if they escape imprisonment?
40. When are the latter days?
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