Jeremiah Chapter 48
Jeremiah 48
A Word of Judgment Against Moab
Jeremiah 48:1-5, Judgment to Come against the Cities of Moab
Jeremiah 48:1-5, “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. 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. A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction. Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard. 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.”
Jeremiah 48 turns from the judgment against Egypt and the Philistines to the judgment against Moab. Moab was Israel’s neighbor east of the Jordan and east of the Dead Sea. Moab’s origin went back to Lot and his daughter after the destruction of Sodom.
Genesis 19:37, “And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.”
Moab was related to Israel, but often hostile to Israel. Balak king of Moab hired Balaam to curse Israel. Later, Moab oppressed Israel in the days of the judges. Yet there was also mercy in Moab’s story, because Ruth the Moabitess became part of the line of David and ultimately the line of Christ according to the flesh.
The LORD speaks as “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel.” Though Moab is not Israel, Moab is still accountable to Israel’s God. The LORD is not a local tribal deity. He is the God of the nations.
The prophecy begins with specific Moabite cities and places: Nebo, Kiriathaim, Misgab, Heshbon, Madmen, Horonaim, and Luhith. These names show that the judgment is not vague. God knows the cities, roads, valleys, strongholds, and people of Moab.
Nebo is spoiled. Kiriathaim is confounded and taken. Misgab is confounded and dismayed. Moab’s praise is ended. Heshbon becomes a place where evil is devised against Moab. The cry from Horonaim is “spoiling and great destruction.”
The fall reaches even the little ones. “Her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.” Judgment on a nation never remains abstract. It reaches families, children, roads, cities, fields, and homes.
The ascent of Luhith and descent of Horonaim become roads of weeping. Moab’s pride and security collapse into public lamentation.
Jeremiah 48:6-9, The Terror of Judgment Coming upon Moab
Jeremiah 48:6-9, “Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness. 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. 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. Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.”
The command is urgent: “Flee, save your lives.” Moab’s judgment will be so severe that survival itself becomes the great concern. They are told to be like the heath in the wilderness, like a lonely, exposed shrub in a barren place.
The reason for judgment is stated: Moab trusted in its works and treasures. Moab had wealth, trade routes, flocks, fortified places, and national confidence. But what men trust apart from God becomes evidence against them. Their treasures could not redeem them, and their works could not protect them.
Chemosh, the god of Moab, will go into captivity with his priests and princes. This is a direct humiliation of Moab’s religion. The people trusted Chemosh, but Chemosh cannot save himself. The idol and its worshippers go down together.
Numbers 21:29, “Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.”
Every city will face the spoiler. No city will escape. The valley and plain will both perish. Geography will not save them. High places, low places, plains, valleys, cities, and villages all fall under the word, “as the LORD hath spoken.”
The cry “Give wings unto Moab” means that Moab needs supernatural speed to escape. But even flight will not preserve the cities. They will be desolate and without inhabitant.
Jeremiah 48:10-13, Complacent Moab Must Be Emptied
Jeremiah 48:10-13, “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. 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. 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. And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.”
The LORD pronounces a curse on the one who does His work deceitfully or slackly, and on the one who keeps back his sword from blood. In context, Babylon is the instrument of judgment. The point is not delight in bloodshed. The point is that God’s appointed judgment will not be partial or incomplete.
Moab has been “at ease from his youth.” This ease became spiritually dangerous. Moab had not often been shaken like other nations. It had settled into comfort, wealth, and complacency.
The picture is drawn from wine. Moab has “settled on his lees.” Wine left too long on its sediment without being poured from vessel to vessel retains its harsh taste and smell. Moab had not been emptied, disturbed, humbled, or purified. Therefore its “taste remained” and its “scent is not changed.”
Ease did not make Moab holy. It made Moab stale, proud, and corrupt.
God will send “wanderers” who will cause Moab to wander. They will empty his vessels and break his bottles. The nation that had not been emptied in discipline will be emptied in judgment.
Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, just as Israel was ashamed of Bethel. Bethel had been a center of idolatrous confidence in the northern kingdom.
1 Kings 12:28-29, “Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.”
False religion eventually becomes shame. What men trust in place of the LORD will one day disappoint them openly.
Jeremiah 48:14-17, The Calamity to Come upon Moab
Jeremiah 48:14-17, “How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war? 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. The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast. 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!”
Moab boasts, “We are mighty and strong men for the war.” But the LORD answers their pride with the reality of coming defeat. Moab is spoiled. Her cities are emptied. Her chosen young men go down to slaughter.
The speaker is “the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.” Moab may have princes, warriors, gods, and strongholds, but the true King speaks over them. His name is the LORD of hosts.
The calamity is near. The affliction comes quickly. The surrounding nations are told to bemoan Moab. Those who knew Moab’s name and reputation will say, “How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!”
Moab had appeared strong and beautiful, like a staff of authority and support. But the LORD breaks what men admire. Military confidence, national glory, and regional influence fall before the judgment of God.
Jeremiah 48:18-24, The Complete Nature of the Conquest of Moab
Jeremiah 48:18-24, “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. O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done? Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled, And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath, And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim, And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul, and upon Bethmeon, And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.”
Dibon is told to come down from glory and sit in thirst. The city that once had glory will sit in deprivation. The spoiler is coming, and strongholds will be destroyed.
Aroer is told to stand by the way and watch the refugees. The inhabitants are to ask those fleeing, “What is done?” The answer is devastating: “Moab is confounded; for it is broken down.”
The news is to be told in Arnon. Moab is spoiled. Judgment has come not only on one city but upon the plain country. Jeremiah lists Holon, Jahazah, Mephaath, Dibon, Nebo, Bethdiblathaim, Kiriathaim, Bethgamul, Bethmeon, Kerioth, Bozrah, and all the cities of Moab, far or near.
The repeated names emphasize totality. Far or near, prominent or lesser known, fortified or exposed, all Moab falls under judgment.
God’s knowledge of these cities also matters. He judges with precision. No city is forgotten. No sin is hidden. No false security is overlooked.
Jeremiah 48:25-28, Proud Moab Thought Itself Better than Israel
Jeremiah 48:25-28, “The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD. 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. For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy. 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.”
The horn and arm symbolize strength. The horn of Moab is cut off. His arm is broken. Moab’s power is removed.
The central charge is pride against the LORD. “He magnified himself against the LORD.” Moab did not merely boast against Israel. Moab exalted itself against Israel’s God.
Moab will be made drunk and will wallow in vomit. This is a humiliating image. The nation that mocked others will become disgusting and laughable in its own shame.
The LORD asks, “For was not Israel a derision unto thee?” Moab had mocked Israel in its humiliation. When Israel suffered, Moab rejoiced. The phrase “thou skippedst for joy” shows contemptuous delight over Israel’s trouble.
God takes that seriously. He does not ignore the scorn directed at His covenant people. Moab mocked Israel as if Israel were found among thieves, as if Israel deserved only contempt. Now Moab will become the object of derision.
The people of Moab are told to leave the cities and dwell in the rock, like a dove nesting in the sides of a cave’s mouth. Urban security is gone. They must flee to rocky hiding places. Pride ends in hiding.
Jeremiah 48:29-35, Proud Moab Brought Low
Jeremiah 48:29-35, “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. I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it. Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres. 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. 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. 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. 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.”
The pride of Moab is described in piled up terms: pride, exceeding pride, loftiness, arrogancy, pride, and haughtiness of heart. God repeats the idea because pride is the root sin of Moab in this chapter.
The LORD also says, “I know his wrath.” Moab’s pride expressed itself in anger. Proud people are often angry people because they believe they deserve more honor, more control, more recognition, and more submission from others. But God says Moab’s wrath “shall not be so.” His lies will not accomplish what he intends.
Then comes an unexpected note of grief. “Therefore will I howl for Moab.” The judgment is deserved, but it is not celebrated coldly. Jeremiah mourns. The LORD’s judgment is righteous, yet the devastation of people and land is still grievous.
The vine of Sibmah and the weeping of Jazer show the loss of Moab’s agricultural abundance. The spoiler falls upon summer fruits and vintage. Joy and gladness are taken from the plentiful field. Wine fails from the winepresses.
The shouting at harvest will no longer be joyful shouting. It will be the noise of war, grief, or ruin. Moab’s prosperity turns into lamentation.
The cry stretches from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz, from Zoar to Horonaim. The waters of Nimrim become desolate. The judgment covers the land.
Finally, the LORD will cause idolatrous worship to cease in Moab. Those who offer in the high places and burn incense to their gods will be stopped. Moab’s religious pride will fall with its military pride and economic pride.
Jeremiah 48:36-42, Mourning for Moab
Jeremiah 48:36-42, “Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished. For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. 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. 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. For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. 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. And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.”
Again the prophet’s heart sounds like pipes for Moab. This is mourning music. The riches Moab acquired have perished. Wealth stored up without God cannot survive the day God appoints.
The signs of grief are everywhere: bald heads, clipped beards, cut hands, sackcloth, lamentation on housetops and in streets. The entire society mourns.
The LORD says, “I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure.” Clay vessels in the ancient world were common and breakable. When a vessel was no longer useful or pleasing, it could be shattered and discarded. Moab, once proud, is treated as a rejected vessel.
Moab will howl, “How is it broken down!” The nation that once mocked Israel will itself become “a derision and a dismaying” to the surrounding peoples.
The invader is pictured as an eagle spreading wings over Moab. This likely points to Babylon’s swift and overpowering conquest.
Deuteronomy 28:49, “The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;”
Kerioth is taken. Strongholds are surprised. Mighty men lose courage and become like a woman in birth pangs. The warriors who boasted in strength are helpless under judgment.
The reason is repeated: “because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.” Moab’s destruction as a people is not random. Pride against God brings ruin.
Jeremiah 48:43-47, Unrelenting Judgment and a Glimmer of Hope
Jeremiah 48:43-47, “Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD. 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. 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. Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives. Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.”
The judgment becomes inescapable: fear, pit, and snare. If a man flees from fear, he falls into the pit. If he climbs out of the pit, he is caught in the snare. Every escape route leads into another form of judgment.
This is “the year of their visitation.” God has an appointed time for dealing with nations. Moab’s time has come.
Those who flee stand under the shadow of Heshbon because of exhaustion, but even there danger comes. A fire comes out of Heshbon and a flame from Sihon, devouring Moab. Jeremiah draws from older language connected to Moab’s history and defeat.
Numbers 21:28-29, “For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon. Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.”
“Woe be unto thee, O Moab!” The people of Chemosh perish. Their sons and daughters are taken captive. The god they trusted cannot keep their children from exile.
Yet the chapter does not end with total darkness. “Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD.” God gives a glimmer of hope beyond judgment. Moab will be judged severely, but the LORD still speaks of a future mercy.
This hope is not because Moab deserved it. It is because God is merciful. Even in the judgment of Gentile nations, the LORD can speak a word of restoration in the latter days.
Doctrinal and Practical Notes
Jeremiah 48 teaches that the LORD judges nations with full knowledge of their cities, history, pride, gods, wealth, and sins.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that relation to God’s people does not excuse rebellion. Moab was related to Israel through Lot, but still came under judgment.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that wealth and works are false refuges. Moab trusted in works and treasures, but was taken.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that idols cannot save. Chemosh goes into captivity with priests and princes.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that ease can corrupt. Moab was at ease from youth and settled on its lees, unchanged and unpurified.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that God sometimes empties nations and people from vessel to vessel to expose what is settled in them.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that pride against the LORD is deadly. Moab magnified itself against God and was broken.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that mocking God’s people is remembered by God. Moab had treated Israel as a derision, and Moab became a derision.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that judgment may be deserved and still grieved. Jeremiah mourns for Moab even while declaring Moab’s destruction.
Jeremiah 48 teaches that God can place hope beyond judgment. Even Moab receives a word that captivity will be brought back in the latter days.
Summary
Jeremiah 48 records the word of the LORD against Moab. The chapter begins with judgment on Moab’s cities, including Nebo, Kiriathaim, Misgab, Heshbon, Madmen, Horonaim, and Luhith. Moab will be spoiled, confounded, taken, cut down, and filled with weeping.
The people are told to flee and save their lives because Moab trusted in its works and treasures. Chemosh, Moab’s god, will go into captivity with his priests and princes. Every city will face the spoiler, and no city will escape. The valley and plain will be destroyed, and Moab’s cities will become desolate.
Moab is cursed under the complete work of judgment. The nation had been at ease from youth, settled on its lees, and not emptied from vessel to vessel. Therefore God will send those who will empty his vessels and break his bottles. Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh as Israel was ashamed of Bethel.
Moab’s boast that it is mighty and strong for war will fail. The King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, declares that Moab is spoiled and its chosen young men go down to slaughter. The calamity is near, and surrounding nations will bemoan the broken strong staff and beautiful rod.
The conquest reaches all the cities and regions of Moab: Dibon, Aroer, Arnon, Holon, Jahazah, Mephaath, Nebo, Bethdiblathaim, Kiriathaim, Bethgamul, Bethmeon, Kerioth, Bozrah, and all cities far or near.
The horn of Moab is cut off and his arm broken because he magnified himself against the LORD. Moab had mocked Israel and rejoiced over Israel’s fall. Now Moab will become drunk, wallow in vomit, and become a derision.
The pride of Moab is described as exceeding pride, loftiness, arrogance, pride, and haughtiness of heart. God knows Moab’s wrath and lies. Yet Jeremiah mourns for Moab, for Kirheres, for the vine of Sibmah, and for the loss of summer fruit, vintage, winepress joy, and plentiful fields. The LORD will also stop the sacrifices in Moab’s high places and the incense offered to its gods.
The mourning continues with pipes, bald heads, clipped beards, cut hands, sackcloth, lamentation on housetops and streets, and Moab broken like a vessel in which there is no pleasure. The invader flies like an eagle over Moab. Kerioth is taken, strongholds are surprised, mighty men lose courage, and Moab is destroyed as a people because he magnified himself against the LORD.
The chapter ends with fear, pit, and snare. Whoever escapes one danger falls into another. The year of Moab’s visitation comes. The people of Chemosh perish, and Moab’s sons and daughters go into captivity. Yet the LORD gives a final word of mercy: He will bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days.
