Jeremiah 48

Jeremiah 46–51 contains a collection of prophecies against the foreign nations. Following the oracle against the Philistines in Jeremiah 47, this chapter addresses the destruction of Moab, Israel's neighbor east of the Jordan River.

Outline

• Verses 1–10 Many cities, including Nebo, Kiriathaim, Heshbon, and Horonaim, fall, and their people flee. Chemosh, the god of Moab, goes into captivity together with his priests and princes.
• Verses 11–17 Moab has lived at ease like wine left undisturbed on its lees. Now one is coming who will tip the vessels and pour it out. Just as Israel was put to shame for trusting in Bethel, Moab will be put to shame because of Chemosh.
• Verses 18–25 Dibon and Aroer are commanded to lament. Judgment falls on the cities of the plain, from Holon to Kerioth and Bozrah, and "the horn of Moab is cut off."
• Verses 26–39 The chapter indicts the pride of Moab, which magnified itself against the LORD and derided Israel. The speaker weeps for the men of Kir-heres and for the vine of Sibmah. The sacrifices on Moab's high places come to an end.
• Verses 40–47 The enemy swoops down like an eagle, and Moab cannot escape fear, the pit, and the snare. Fire goes forth from Heshbon. The chapter closes with a promise to bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days.

Key Verses

• Jeremiah 48:11 "He hath settled on his lees" — a figure for complacency that has never been tested by trial.
• Jeremiah 48:29 "We have heard the pride of Moab" — sums up the reason for judgment as pride.
• Jeremiah 48:47 "Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days" — extends the promise of restoration even to a foreign nation.

People and Places

• Chemosh: The god worshiped by the Moabites.
• Sihon: The Amorite king who made Heshbon his royal city (verse 45).
• Heshbon, Dibon, Aroer, Kir-heres, Sibmah, Jazer: Cities in and around the land of Moab.
• Bethel: The site the northern kingdom of Israel made a center of idolatry; verse 13 compares it with Chemosh.
• Nebo in verses 1 and 22 refers to a city in the region of Mount Nebo.

Points for Reflection

• Verses 29–38 share much of their wording with the oracles concerning Moab in Isaiah 15 and Isaiah 16, and verses 45–46 closely parallel the song of Heshbon in Numbers 21.
• The text does not name the invader, who is commonly identified as Babylon.
• In its original context, verse 10 refers to the sword of the army carrying out judgment. In churches, however, it is sometimes applied more broadly as an exhortation not to be negligent in service.
• Interpretations of the promise of restoration in verse 47 differ. Some read it as referring to a restoration of Moab within history, while others see it as foreshadowing the Gentiles' turning to God.

In the Korean Church

• Verse 10, "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully" (the Korean Bible reads "negligently"), and the figure of the lees in verse 11 are frequently cited in sermons.