Judgments on the Nations (Moab)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 48

 

Jeremiah 48:46-47

Woe to you, O Moab!
    The people of Chemosh are undone,
for your sons have been taken captive,
    and your daughters into captivity.
⁴⁷ Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab
    in the latter days, declares the Lord.”
Thus far is the judgment on Moab.

(ESV)

 

Pride is dangerous for both individuals and nations, leading to a fall (Proverbs 16:18). For Moab, destruction is the result of pridefully magnifying itself above God (Jeremiah 48:26). Jeremiah 48 is the Word of the Lord coming to Moab through Jeremiah the prophet that foretells,

 

1)      Dire destruction (Jeremiah 48:1-9) – This passage is written poetically, naming many cities within Moab. While those reading this passage today do not relate to the cities mentioned, those Jeremiah is addressing would have viewed this prophecy as total destruction upon every city with no one living in any of Moab’s cities (Jeremiah 48:8).

2)      End of Moab’s sheltered existence (Jeremiah 48:10-20) – Moab has been at ease since its youth, never going into exile (Jeremiah 48:10-11). However, this sheltered existence is coming to an end. The destroyer of Moab and his cities has come up with the choicest young men of Moab going down to slaughter (Jeremiah 48:15). The destroyer has destroyed the strongholds of Moab (Jeremiah 48:18). Instead of enjoying a sheltered existence, Moab is put to shame and broken (Jeremiah 48:20).  

3)      Judgment against Moab (Jeremiah 48:21-47) – Judgement has come against Moab because it has magnified itself against the Lord. Moab’s prideful magnification of itself above God is the contributing factor to its destruction (Jeremiah 48:26). The purpose of this judgment against Moab is to bring an end to those who offer sacrifices to Moab’s god in the high places (Jeremiah 48:35). However, God intends to show mercy to Moab with the restoration of the fortunes of Moab in the latter days (Jeremiah 48:47).

 

Because it has magnified itself against the Lord, judgment has come upon Moab. In addition to magnifying itself against the Lord, the Lord is bringing an end to Moab’s offering sacrifices and making offerings to the god of Moab. This resembles the reason for God bringing judgment and exile to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 9:13-16; 48:25-26). However, the judgment of Israel and Judah only lasts for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12) whereas the judgment against Moab will last until the latter days (Jeremiah 48:47). The lesson from this passage is the magnification of oneself or a nation against God has dire circumstances and something to avoid.

 

The Church is not immune to incurring destruction if it puts itself above God and fails to adhere to its Godly mission. In Western cultures like the United States where religious liberty has constitutional protection, the Church has enjoyed a sheltered existence but can experience judgment if it becomes lackadaisical. The Church in Laodicea suffered a loss of missional focus, with the Church caught up in its wealth and being lackadaisical in its mission from God (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Revelation 3:14-22). God closed the door to rapture for the Church of Laodicea, but there is still time for the Laodicean-like Church of today to repent and return to its missional focus. Please join me in praying for this return to missional focus for it is the beginning of a much-needed revival in our world.

 

If you are reading this and have never made the decision to accept Jesus as your savior or if you have drifted away from the Lord, I encourage you to pray with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage those that just prayed to attend a Church service near them this week and to make your profession of faith public. If you are unable to do so, you can also make your profession public by replying to this post. Romans 10:9-10 instructs believers to make a public profession of faith and why this profession is crucial. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.