Moab is Broken
May 15, 2019
Commentary
The Moabites descended from Lot (Gen. 19:20-38) They were enemies of the Jews, proud, complacent and thought their God, Chemose would protect them (vv. 7, 46) from any enemy. Instead sorrow was to come to every Moabite home and on the streets. Moab was to no longer be a nation because of her pride and her boasting against the Lord. Because of her rebellion none would escape. Even those who would try to flee God’s terror would fall into a pit. Then any who managed to get out of the pit would be caught in a snare. God does all He can to call them to repentance before the judgment falls.
From Moab we see the result of sin and just as Jeremiah wept over the fall of Moab because their wealth is gone (v. 36). People mourn in the streets, shave their heads and wear sackcloth. All because the Lord has shattered them like a jar that no one wants (vv. 37-38). Moab lies broken in shame (v. 39) and their enemy sweeps down over their land like an Eagle (v. 40). Jeremiah says that their cities and fortresses will be captured (v. 41) and they are finished as a nation because they have opposed the Lord (v. 42).
Terror, pits and traps are awaiting the people (v. 43). If they run they will fall into a pit and if they crawl they will get caught in a trap (v. 44). Near the city of Heshbon tired refugees stand in the shadows of the flames of their burning city (v. 45). The people of Moab have worshiped Chemosh as their God and are done for as well as their children are made prisoners of a foreign country (v. 46). Someday the Lord will bring their people back home (v. 47).
Application
Moab’s results came from the way she lived. Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived: God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” What am I sowing in my life that will reap good fruit? Harvest days will come.
Jeremiah 48:36– 47 (NET)
36 So my heart moans for Moab like a flute playing a funeral song. Yes, like a flute playing a funeral song, my heart moans for the people of Kir Heres. For the wealth they have gained will perish.
37 For all of them will shave their heads in mourning. They will all cut off their beards to show their sorrow. They will all make gashes in their hands. They will all put on sackcloth.
38 On all the housetops in Moab and in all its public squares there will be nothing but mourning. For I will break Moab like an unwanted jar. I, the Lord, affirm it!
39 Oh, how shattered Moab will be! Oh, how her people will wail! Oh, how she will turn away in shame! Moab will become an object of ridicule, a terrifying sight to all the nations that surround her.”
40 For the Lord says, “Look! Like an eagle with outspread wings a nation will swoop down on Moab.
41 Her towns will be captured; her fortresses will be taken. At that time the soldiers of Moab will be frightened like a woman in labor.
42 Moab will be destroyed and no longer be a nation, because she has vaunted herself against the Lord.
43 Terror, pits, and traps are in store for the people who live in Moab. I, the Lord, affirm it!
44 Anyone who flees at the sound of terror will fall into a pit. Anyone who climbs out of the pit will be caught in a trap. For the time is coming when I will punish the people of Moab. I, the Lord, affirm it!
45 In the shadows of the walls of Heshbon those trying to escape will stand helpless. For a fire will burst forth from Heshbon. Flames will shoot out from the former territory of Sihon. They will burn the foreheads of the people of Moab, the skulls of those war-loving people.
46 Moab, you are doomed! You people who worship Chemosh will be destroyed. Your sons will be taken away captive. Your daughters will be carried away into exile.
47 Yet in future days I will reverse Moab’s ill fortune,” says the Lord. The judgment against Moab ends here.
Illustration: Life is Made Up of a Series of Judgments
“Life is made up of a series of judgments on insufficient data, and if we waited to run down all our doubts, it would flow past us.” (Source Unknown – Lou Nicholes, Missionary/Author)