Jeremiah 49
Thursday Evening Bible Study
Introduction
We are now in a section of prophecies given to the Gentile nations that
surround Israel
Jeremiah 49
:1-6 Ammon
:1 Against the Ammonites. Thus says the LORD: "Has Israel
Slides on Ammon, Ammon’s judgment.
Ammonites – Last week we talked about the descendants of Lot .
After God wiped out the cities of Sodom Gomorrah Lot ’s
daughters began to panic, thinking that along with their father, they were the
last three people alive on the earth. So they got their father drunk on
successive nights and took turns sleeping with him. They each bore a son. One
son was the father of the Moabites, the other was the father of the Ammonites. The
land of the Ammonites was east of Israel Jordan River from the central portion of Israel Jordan Amman
Just like the Moabites, the Ammonites were continual enemies to the nation
of Israel
Milcom inherit … – the god of the Ammonites
The Ammonites have moved into territory that used to belong to Israel Israel
They were in a place where they didn’t belong, and that was apparently the reason behind the coming judgment.
:2 Therefore behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I
will cause to be heard an alarm of war In Rabbah of the Ammonites; It shall be
a desolate mound, And her villages shall be burned with fire. Then Israel
Rabbah – the capital of Ammon
:3 "Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is plundered! Cry, you daughters of Rabbah, Gird yourselves with sackcloth! Lament and run to and fro by the walls; For Milcom shall go into captivity With his priests and his princes together.
Heshbon – the ancient capital of the Amorites, of King Sihon.
Ai – This is not the same city that was conquered by Joshua.
:4 Why do you boast in the valleys, Your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? Who trusted in her treasures, saying, 'Who will come against me?'
It’s interesting that God calls Ammon a “daughter”. God must have felt He had some sort of relationship with this nation.
Lesson
Trusting in our treasures
The Ammonites felt “safe” because they “had enough stuff”. They weren’t worried about invading armies because they were well off.
(Luke 12:13-21 NKJV ) Then one from the crowd said to Him,
"Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." {14}
But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over
you?" {15} And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness,
for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he
possesses."
The fellow wanted Jesus to act as a judge and tell the brother to divide the inheritance. Jesus didn’t want any part of it. He pointed out that the man had his priorities wrong.
{16} Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a
certain rich man yielded plentifully. {17} "And he thought within himself,
saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' {18}
"So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater,
and there I will store all my crops and my goods. {19} 'And I will say to my
soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease;
eat, drink, and be merry."' {20} "But God said to him, 'Fool! This
night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which
you have provided?' {21} "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and
is not rich toward God."
This man was only worried about the treasures he could see with his own eyes. He was aiming his whole life towards having treasure in this life, only to find that when he had achieved it, it was all gone.
You can’t take it with you. When you leave this life, it will all stay behind.
Illustration
Think of what the families who lived on Flamingo
Road Laguna Beach
One moment you own it, the next, it’s gone.
Illustration
Paul Azinger writes, “My friend Mike got on an airplane one day and saw one of the strangest things he had ever seen in his life. The man sitting next to him in first class was dressed in a bathrobe and slippers. The man’s seat was a beautiful leather chair, but my friend’s was simply made of fabric. The man said to my friend. “I see you have noticed my chair. This chair is made of the finest leathers money can buy.” Then my friend noticed that the man had a mahogany tray table. Again, the man said, “Ahh, you have noticed my gorgeous tray table.” My friend looked up and saw that the guy had a ceiling fan. The rich man was also surrounded by a VCR, a television set, a CD player, and a computer.
”My friend was flabbergasted. He asked the rich man, “Why would anyone go to the expense to have all these things installed in an airplane?” The man replied bluntly, “Because this is my home.”
“My friend thought, “What a shame! A place that was intended to be a journey, he has made his home.””
Be careful about the deceit that riches bring. Money wants you to think that if you had it, life would be okay.
But money doesn’t know or control the future. That’s God’s job.
:5 Behold, I will bring fear upon you," Says the Lord GOD of hosts, "From all those who are around you; You shall be driven out, everyone headlong, And no one will gather those who wander off.
:6 But afterward I will bring back The captives of the people of Ammon," says the LORD.
A future restoration
:7-22 Edom
:7 Against Edom
Edom Israel Israel
Teman – the name of one of Esau’s grandsons (Gen. 36:11), the son of
Eliphaz, Esau’s son. There was a chief city in Edom 2:11 ). Some have suggested that this dates the
book of Job during the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The mountains of Edom
Lesson
Losing your wisdom.
Apparently the Edomites had quite a reputation for having men of “wisdom.
(Oba 1:8 NLT) At that time not a single wise person will be left in
the whole land of Edom Edom
And yet at some point, they lost their wisdom. They “lost their mind”.
So how do we get our “mind” back when we’ve lost it?
Illustration
Bob went to a psychiatrist. “Doc,” he said, “I’ve got trouble. Every time I
get into bed, I think there’s somebody under it. I get under the bed; I think
there’s somebody on top of it. Top, under, top, under...you gotta help me, I’m
going crazy!” “Just put yourself in my hands for one year,” said the shrink.
“Come to me three times a week, and I’ll cure your fears.” “How much do you
charge?” “A hundred dollars per visit? I’ll sleep on it,” said Bob. Six months
later the doctor met Bob on the street. “Why didn’t you ever come to see me
again?” asked the psychiatrist. “For a hundred buck’s a visit? A friend cured
me for free!” “Is that so! How?” “He told me to cut the legs off the bed!”
Actually, getting your “mind” or your “wisdom” back is a little more complicated than that …
Job, whom some think might have been an Edomite (Gen. 36:33), tells us about what wisdom is:
(Job 28:28 NKJV )
And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to
depart from evil is understanding.'"
Solomon, the wisest man on earth, told us where you start to learn about wisdom:
(Prov 1:7 NKJV )
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom
and instruction.
Paul tells us how people can lose their “wisdom”.
(Rom 1:18-32 NKJV )
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, {19} because
what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
{20} For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and
Godhead, so that they are without excuse, {21} because, although they knew God,
they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their
thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. {22} Professing to be wise,
they became fools, {23} and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an
image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping
things. {24} Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of
their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, {25} who exchanged the
truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the
Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. {26} For this reason God gave them up to
vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is
against nature. {27} Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the
woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is
shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
{28} And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave
them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; {29}
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit,
evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, {30} backbiters, haters of God, violent,
proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, {31}
undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; {32} who,
knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are
deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice
them.
There’s a connection between wisdom and fearing God. When you stop honoring God, you lose your real perspective in life.
Getting your “mind” back involves getting things right with God.
Paul talks about how things are made right with God, and again there’s a connection with what is “wise”. He says that there is a difference between what the world considers “wise” and what God considers “wise”.
(1 Cor 1:18 -29
NKJV )
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to
us who are being saved it is the power of God.
To those without Jesus, they can’t see anything smart about Jesus dying on a cross.
{19} For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." {20} Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? {21} For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
You can’t come to know God simply by being smart or “wise”. You only come to know God through something “foolish”, the cross.
{22} For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
Gentiles look for what’s “smart”.
{23} but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, {24} but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. {25} Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
The cross is the “foolishness of God”, and it is far better for us than anything the smartest person could ever cook up. The cross is how we come to God, it’s through the cross that Jesus paid for our sins.
{26} For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise
according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. {27} But
God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and
God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which
are mighty; {28} and the base things of the world and the things which are
despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the
things that are, {29} that no flesh should glory in His presence.
God uses foolish things – the message of the cross and foolish people like us. Don’t be proud when God uses you. It’s only God at work in us.
Wisdom comes when we get things right with God. Though the world considers Christianity and the
cross “foolish”, in fact it is the very heart of the wisdom of God.
:8 Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan! For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, The time that I will punish him.
Dedan – Dedan was a city far to the south of Edom Arabian peninsula
:9 If grape-gatherers came to you, Would they not leave some gleaning grapes? If thieves by night, Would they not destroy until they have enough?
:10 But I have made Esau bare; I have uncovered his secret places, And he shall not be able to hide himself. His descendants are plundered, His brethren and his neighbors, And he is no more.
Whereas grape-gathers and thieves might leave something behind, the judgment that God was bringing would leave nothing behind.
:11 Leave your fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; And let your widows trust in Me."
:12 For thus says the LORD: "Behold, those whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunk. And are you the one who will altogether go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you shall surely drink of it.
(Je 49:12 NLT) And this is what the Lord says: “If the innocent must suffer, how much more must
you! You will not go unpunished! You must drink this cup of judgment!
:13 "For I have sworn by Myself," says the LORD, "that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse. And all its cities shall be perpetual wastes."
Bozrah – one of the capital cities of the Edomites.
:14 I have heard a message from the LORD, And an ambassador has been sent to the nations: "Gather together, come against her, And rise up to battle!
:15 "For indeed, I will make you small among nations, Despised among men.
By the time of Jesus, the Edomites were practically non-existent. The only known Edomites we know of were the Herods, who were called “Idumeans”.
:16 Your fierceness has deceived you, The pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there," says the LORD.
(Je 49:16 NLT) 16 You are proud that you inspire fear in others.
And you are proud because you live in a rock fortress and hide high in the
mountains. But don’t fool yourselves! Though you live among the peaks with the
eagles, I will bring you crashing down,” says the Lord.
There were places in Edom Petra
Ruins of altars at Petra
The “Treasury” at Petra Indiana
Ruins at Petra
Lesson
Deceived by Pride
Pride tells me that “I’m okay”. Pride tells me I don’t need anyone’s help.
Jesus wrote a stern warning to the church at Laodicea
(Rev 3:14-18 NKJV ) "And to the angel of the church of the
Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness,
the Beginning of the creation of God: {15} "I know your works, that you
are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. {16} "So
then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out
of My mouth. {17} "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know
that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; {18} "I counsel
you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white
garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be
revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
The problem is that as strong as I may be, I always need help. I need God’s help. I need others in my life as well.
(1 Cor 12:21 -22 NLT)
The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The
head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." {22} In fact, some of
the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary.
Sometimes we can fool ourselves into thinking we’re better off without people in our lives, but we’re wrong. God did not design us to be Lone Rangers.
Illustration
As the Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding along towards the north, they spotted a war party of about 50 Apaches coming at them. They turned south, but another war party appeared. They turned east and met another party of 100 braves. They turned west as their last remaining hope and saw a party of 500. The Lone Ranger turned to his friend and said, “Well, faithful friend, this is the end, there’s not much we can do.” Tonto looked back at the Lone Ranger. “What you mean WE, white man?”
As crazy as it seems, we need each other.
:17 "Edom
:18 As in the overthrow of Sodom Gomorrah
:19 "Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan
No one can stand against God.
:20 Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD that He has taken against Edom
It won’t take much to draw the people out in order to slaughter them.
:21 The earth shakes at the noise of their fall; At the cry its noise is
heard at the Red Sea .
The Red Sea is down on the border of Egypt
:22 Behold, He shall come up and fly like the eagle, And spread His wings
over Bozrah; The heart of the mighty men of Edom
:23-27 Damascus
:23 Against Damascus
Hamath, Arpad – cities north of Damascus Syria
:24 Damascus
:25 Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy?
:26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day," says the LORD of hosts.
:27 "I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus
Ben-hadad was the title of the king of Syria
There would be judgment coming on the Syrians from Babylon
:28-33 Kedar, Hazor
:28 Against Kedar and against the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon
Kedar, Hazor – see maps
:29 Their tents and their flocks they shall take away. They shall take for themselves their curtains, All their vessels and their camels; And they shall cry out to them, 'Fear is on every side!'
:30 "Flee, get far away! Dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of
Hazor!" says the LORD. "For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
:31 "Arise, go up to the wealthy nation that dwells securely," says the LORD, "Which has neither gates nor bars, Dwelling alone.
:32 Their camels shall be for booty, And the multitude of their cattle for plunder. I will scatter to all winds those in the farthest corners, And I will bring their calamity from all its sides," says the LORD.
:33 "Hazor shall be a dwelling for jackals, a desolation forever; No one shall reside there, Nor son of man dwell in it."
They too had been trusting in their wealth.
The people of Kedar and Hazor were nomadic people. They never settled down in towns. They didn’t even bother having walls or any defenses because they were so sure of their abilities.
Lesson
Defenses
We have an enemy that wants to destroy us.
(1 Pet 5:8 NKJV ) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary
the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
The devil has all sorts of ways to attack us:
Illustration
There’s an old fable that says the Devil once held a sale
and offered all the tools of his trade to anyone who would pay their
price. They were spread out on the table
and each one labeled. Hatred, malice, envy, despair, sickness, sensuality—all
the weapons that everyone knows so well.
But off to one side lay a harmless looking wood-shaped instrument marked
“discouragement.” It was old and worn
looking but it was priced far above all the rest. When asked the reason why, the Devil replied,
“Because I can use this one so much more easily than the others. No one knows that it belongs to me, so with
it I can open doors that are tightly bolted against the others. Once I get
inside I can use any tool that suits me best.”
We don’t always see the attacks as they come.
Illustration
Doubled over and choking, they staggered to hospitals by
the thousands, crying for help and refuge from a colorless cloud of gas that
turned
No enemy is harder to fight than an invisible one. Believers also face an unseen adversary, who
leads the forces arrayed against us in spiritual conflict. Let us be diligent to watch and pray.