Jeremiah 48:1 Concerning Moab: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be ruined. Kiriathaim will be disgraced and captured; the stronghold a will be disgraced and shattered.”
This story of the fate of Moab seems to mirror in many ways the fate of Israel during the book of Jeremiah. They turned their backs on God, trusted in their own deeds and riches. Their hearts and actions moved further from Him until drastic measures were needed to bring them back. (Remember, God values relationship with His people.)
Jeremiah 48:7 Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive, and Chemosh will go into exile, together with his priests and officials.
Again, God is talking to me in this chapter about pride. This seems an extreme example of when pride turns to self-sufficiency, turns to self-destruction. Those times when I didn’t get what I felt I deserved, leading me to be bitter and resentful but eventually drawing me closer to God, were those times designed to keep me from personal destruction like that experienced in Moab?
Jeremiah 48:8 The destroyer will come against every town, and not a town will escape. The valley will be ruined and the plateau destroyed, because the Lord has spoken.
Lord, Help me always to remember Your words in Isaiah 55:8: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” What appears to me as unfairness could be You steering me closer to You to keep me from self-destruction. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. Amen.
Jeremiah 48:47 “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come,” declares the Lord. Here ends the judgment on Moab.
Have a blessed day.