Jeremiah 48

48:1–49:6 The Lord decreed the destruction and future restoration of Moab and Ammon, the two nations descended from Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen 19:36-38).48:1-47 Moab, one of two nations descended from Abraham’s nephew Lot (Gen 19:36-38), was the next nation brought to trial in the Lord’s courtroom (cp. Isa 15–16). Moab’s territory lay between the Arnon River and the Zered Brook east of the Dead Sea. At the time, the Moabites felt self-assured because they were relatively free from the military reach of the Babylonians. However, the Lord found the Moabites to be greedy and cruel, and their worship was vicious and sensuous.48:1 The powerful Judge, the God of Israel (see study note on 2:2), introduced the indictments and decrees against Moab. • The city of Nebo was on the side of Mount Nebo (Num 32:3, 38), several miles east of the north end of the Dead Sea. • The city of Kiriathaim was built by the tribe of Reuben (Josh 13:19) in the highlands east of the Dead Sea.

48:2 Heshbon was located between the Jabbok and Arnon rivers, east of the Dead Sea. • Madmen was apparently another name for Dibon, a town near Heshbon; it would also be destroyed.

48:3-4 Little is known about the village of Horonaim (see Isa 15:5); it was probably situated near the southeastern shore of the Dead Sea.

48:5-6 Luhith was another small village near Horonaim. The sorrows of oppression would reach into the smallest places.

48:7 The people of Moab bragged about their wealth and skill, but their most serious sin was devotion to a deity named Chemosh; this false god represented the magical power of reproduction, but it would become clear that Chemosh was powerless.

48:8-10 The Lord sentenced all the towns of Moab to destruction, and he warned the agents of his judgment to faithfully carry out his decree.

48:11-12 Moab had a long history of relative peace and a culture that its people highly valued. Vineyards were plentiful in Moab. After the juice was squeezed from the grapes, the wine was stored in clay flasks until it became fragrant and smooth.

48:13 The Lord’s judgment would make the Moabites ashamed that Chemosh was unable to protect them from harm, just as the Israelites of the northern kingdom were ashamed that the false gods they worshiped in apostasy were not able to protect them from the Assyrians (1 Kgs 12:28-29; 13:33-34; Hos 8:5-6). • ashamed of their gold calf at Bethel: See 1 Kgs 12:28-30.

48:18-19 Dibon and nearby Aroer were key Moabite cities.

48:20 When the news spread that Moab lay in ruins, disgraced and destroyed, panic would rapidly increase in the Arnon Valley.

48:21-25 Eleven Moabite villages would soon hear that the strength of Moab’s arm was broken. This meant that the villages had no one to defend them against the advancing enemy.

48:26-27 Moab’s hatred for Israel was ultimately against the Lord.

48:31 The Lord had to punish Moab and other nations that sinned, but it caused him to mourn. • Kir-hareseth was Moab’s capital city.

48:32 Sibmah and Jazer were conquered and rebuilt by the tribe of Reuben (Num 32:3, 38; Josh 13:19), who transformed the high plateau east of the Dead Sea into vineyards.

48:34-39 These verses describe the effects of the Lord’s judgment on the Moabite people. • The Moabite towns listed here were located along the small rivers that flow from the east into the Dead Sea.

48:35-37 The Moabites expressed their sorrow and grief with customary actions; they shaved their heads and beards, cut their hands, and used burlap for clothing (41:5; Job 1:20).

48:39 The Lord’s judgment of Moab would cause nearby countries to realize that the same kind of ruin might be their punishment.

48:40 The eagle represents speed and surprise; its victim is caught and carried off before it is able to react.

48:43-45 Between the terror (Hebrew pakhad), the traps (Hebrew pakhath), and a snare (Hebrew pakh), there would be no escape for the people of Moab.

48:45 If the Moabites fled north, they would be met by their enemies at Heshbon. • a fire comes from Heshbon: Cp. Num 21:28.

48:47 The Lord would have mercy on Moab; he promised that the people would prosper at some time in the future.