Jeremiah 49
LORD giving Gad land of Ammonites verse 1- 2
Concerning the Ammonites – thus says the LORD
Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir?
Why then do their king inherit Gad
and his people dwell in his cities?
THEREFORE – BEHOLD – the days come – says the LORD
that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in
Rabbah of the Ammonites
and it shall be a desolate heap
and her daughters shall be burned with fire
then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs
says the LORD
LORD explains judgment of Ammonites verse 3- 6
Howl – O Heshbon – for Ai is spoiled
cry – you daughters of Rabbah – gird you with sackcloth
lament – and run to and fro by the hedges
for their king shall go into captivity
and his priests and his princes together
WHEREFORE glory you in the valleys – your flowing valley
O backsliding daughter? – that trusted in her treasures – saying
Who shall come unto me?
BEHOLD – I will bring a fear upon you – says the Lord GOD of hosts
from all those that be about you
and you shall be driven out every man right forth
and none shall gather up him that wanders
Afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon
says the LORD
LORD to destroy nation of Edom but protects widows verse 7- 11
Concerning Edom – thus says the LORD of hosts
Is wisdom no more in Teman? Is counsel perished from the prudent?
Is their wisdom vanished?
Flee you – turn back – dwell deep – O inhabitants of Dedan
for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him
the time that I will visit him
If grape gatherers come to you
would they not leave some gleaning grapes?
If thieves by night – they will destroy till they have enough
BUT I have made Esau bare
I have uncovered his secret places
and he shall not be able to hide himself
his seed is spoiled – and his brethren – neighbors
and he is not
Leave you fatherless children
I will preserve them alive
and let thy widow trust in ME
LORD predicts desolation forever of Edom verse 12- 13
For thus says the LORD
BEHOLD – they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup
have assuredly drunken
And are you he that shall altogether go unpunished?
and are you shall not go unpunished?
BUT you shall surely drink of it
For I have sworn by MYSELF – says the LORD
that Bozrah shall become a desolation – reproach
waste – curse
And all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes
LORD states that Edom deceived themselves verse 14- 16
I have heard a rumor from the LORD
and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen – saying
Gather you together – and come against her
and rise up in the battle
For –lo- I will make you small among the heathen
and despised among men
Your terribleness hath deceived you
and the pride of your heart
O you that dwells in the clefts of the rock
that hold the height of the hill
though you should make your nest as
high as the eagle
I will bring you down from thence – says the LORD
Other nations will stand in awe of destruction verse 17- 19
Also Edom shall be a desolation
every one that goes by it shall be astonished
and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbors cities thereof
says the LORD – no man shall abide there
neither shall a son of man dwell in it
BEHOLD – he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of the Jordan
against the habitation of the strong
BUT I will suddenly make him run away from her
and who is a chosen man
that I may appoint over her?
FOR WHO IS LIKE ME?
WHO WILL APPOINT ME THE TIME?
WHO IS THAT SHEPHERD that
will stand before ME?
Edom will be in anguish verse 20- 22
THEREFORE hear the counsel of the LORD
that he hath taken against Edom
and his purposes
that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman
surely the least of the flock shall draw them out
surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them
The earth is moved at the noise of their fall
at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea
BEHOLD – he shall come up and fly as the eagle
and spread his wings over Bozrah
and at that day shall the heart of the mighty
men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs
LORD predicts destruction of Syria verse 23- 27
Concerning Damascus
Hamath is confounded and Arpad
for they have heard evil tidings – they are fainthearted
there is sorrow on the sea
it cannot be quiet
Damascus is waxed feeble – and turned herself to flee
and fear hath seized on her
anguish and sorrow have taken her
as a woman in travail
How is the city of praise not left – the city of MY joy
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
And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus
and it shall consume the palaces of Ben-hadad
LORD predicts destruction of Hazor & Kedar verse 28- 29
Concerning Kedar – concerning the kingdoms of Hazor
which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite
thus says the LORD
Arise you – go up to Kedar – and spoil the men of the east
their tents and their flocks shall they take away
they shall take to themselves their curtains
all their vessels – their camels
they shall cry unto them
Fear is on every side
Land of Hazor will be uninhabitable verse 30- 33
Flee – get you far off – dwell deep
O you inhabitants of Hazor – says the LORD
For Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you
and has conceived a purpose against you
Arise – get you up unto the wealthy nation
that dwell without care – says the LORD
which have neither gates – nor bars – which dwell alone
And their camels shall be a booty
and the multitude of their cattle a spoil
and I will scatter into all winds them that are
in the utmost corners
and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof
says the LORD
Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons – desolation forever
there shall no man abide there – nor any son of man dwell in it
LORD predicts complete destruction of Elam verse 34- 39
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam
in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah – saying
Thus says the LORD of hosts
BEHOLD I will break the bow of Elam the chief of their might
and upon Elam will I bring the four winds from
the four quarters of heaven
and will scatter them toward all those winds
and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of
Elam shall not come
FOR I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies
and before them that seek their life
and I will bring evil upon them
even MY fierce anger – says the LORD
and I will send the sword after them
till I have consumed them
and I will set MY throne in Elam
and will destroy from thence the
king and the princes
says the LORD
BUT it shall come to pass in the LATTER DAYS
that I will bring again the captivity of Elam – says the LORD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 4 Wherefore glory you in the valleys, your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? (982 “trusted” [batach] means confidence, secure, hope, feel safe, reliance, or be unsuspecting.)
DEVOTION: There is a big difference between having confidence in God and having confidence in humans or wealth. Here we find a nation that has not been honoring the LORD at all. They were worshiping other gods and basing their reliance on their location. They had a great location that could hold off any army because they were protected on three sides. They thought no one would bother them. They were wrong.
We find today that many nations and groups of people even in our nation who think that they can have confidence in their money that is stored in banks around the world will be safe. We find that even those who claim to depend on the LORD for their blessings will sometimes think that if they have money in the bank that nothing can go wrong.
However, we have had many individuals who have tried to warn us that paper money will fail and the only safe way to protect your wealth is to have it in gold. So some people are storing gold in their houses and in the bank safes but the problem is that if people find out that you have it they will want yours. Nothing is safe in hard times.
Only our dependence on the LORD will carry us through the most difficult times of judgment on our nation. If we genuinely rely on the LORD alone for our security HE will never fail us. If we rely on anything or anyone else we will be disappointed.
The nation of Ammon trusted in their wealth and it failed them.
CHALLENGE: Our hope is built on NOTHING less than Jesus Christ. HE is the only reliable ONE to safe us in difficult times. HE will provide for our every NEED!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 11 Leave your fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let your widows trust in me. (490 “widows” [almanah] means desolate house, one whose spouse has died, or class of person.)
DEVOTION: There is a special place in the heart of God for those who have lost their spouse and usually their income in the ancient world. There are occasions when we will read about a rich widow but that is rare.
Here we find the LORD giving a promise to the widows of Edom. While the rest of the people will be killed these individuals will be able to trust in the LORD for their care. For more information regarding this same judgment look at the book of Obadiah.
Today we find in the New Testament that the ones that were neglected first were the Grecian widows. The Hebrew widows were taken care of but this was not true of the Grecian widows.
The disciples called together the church and told them to find men for this ministry. They were to look for men who were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
They found seven men who were called deacons to care for the widows of the church. They made sure that their needs were met. This was especially true of them having food on the table.
These same men were found to be preaching for the LORD in different locations as well. They fulfilled their responsibility to the widows. They didn’t stop there. So the characteristics of these men were added to for ministry in the church throughout the world.
The LORD helped the widows of a nation that didn’t love HIM. We are to help those in need especially the widows and shut ins of our congregations. They should never be neglected. Many churches do neglect this group because they say they are too busy with other ministry. The LORD will deal with them because of this neglect.
The other group of individuals added to those who are special in the eyes of the LORD are the fatherless. If the church neglects this group it will answer to the LORD for this neglect. There are many homes that the mother is raising all of the children alone. The men and women of the church should give these children special consideration.
CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to help those in our church who fall into these two categories. How is your church doing?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 13 For I have sworn by MYSELF, says the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes. (8678 “sworn” [sa-ba] means swear on oath, promise, take an oath, make a promise to do something, or affirm the truth of a statement, with sanctions to follow if the conditions are not met.)
DEVOTION: Here we have the LORD stating that HE is going to do something and confirms it with an oath. We have to realize that if the LORD says it is going to happen it is going to happen. HE seems to say that if circumstances change than the judgment will not happen but usually it will follow HIS statement.
In this instance what HE said would happen did happen because there was not a change of attitude by those involved. The future was certain. Judgment was going to happen to the nation that was not honoring the LORD.
The LORD even makes statement concerning the children of Israel throughout the Bible. These statements have come to pass in the past and will take place in the future. The LORD is not just making empty promises of judgment but HE is going to carry them out as HE did here and throughout the Old Testament regrading Israel and the nations around them.
HE is going to judge the world at the end of the ages. This judgment is stated in the Word of God and it is going to happen. HE is also going to deal with those who call themselves HIS people. We are dealing with the Old Testament people of God here but at the end times HE will be dealing with those who are living today.
CHALLENGE: Our relationship with HIM is very important to the future of every human being that is living today. Those who are genuine believers today are supposed to be sharing the message with those around them. The Bible doesn’t lie about a judgment coming.
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: 18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it. (4114 “overthrow” [mahpekah] means destruction, demolishing, ruin, or implying a change of state)
DEVOTION: This word is used six times and in five of the six it refers to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible teaches us that these two cities with three others were located in a beautiful valley. Lot picked this place because it was green with grass for his animals. The LORD, because of the sin of sodomy and other perversions of sin, destroyed four of the five cities. The LORD judged the cities because of their sin. Lot, nephew of Abraham, was in the city of Sodom. His wife and two daughters left the city with him but his wife looked back and turned to a pillar of salt. The cities were destroyed to the point of never having people in them again. These cities are thought to be under the Dead Sea. Lot and his two daughters were spared.
The Ammonites are the result of Lot and one of his daughters having a son named Ammon. In this chapter Jeremiah gives the message of judgment from God to six nations. The first one is the other son of Lot. The second nation is made up of descendants of Esau. He was the older twin brother of Jacob or Israel. The LORD is dealing with relatives first. They should be the first ones to help those related to them. They didn’t help – they hindered.
Jeremiah is telling the Edomites that the LORD was going to destroy their cities with the same conclusion as Sodom and Gomorrah. They were not going to be lived in again. As we look at the present world, can we see the two angels coming down and finding sin running rampant in our world? We can hear Abraham asking the LORD to spare the city if ten righteous people could be found. We are praying that the LORD will spare our nation for those who are righteous. We need to be lights in a dark world. If the LORD had found ten righteous individuals in the city, he said he would not destroy it. Can we have our light shining in all of the cities around us?
CHALLENGE: Judgment Seat of Christ is coming and we have to answer for how we have reached our world for the LORD. Lot failed. Abraham succeeded.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of the LORD verse 34
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 2, 6, 7, 12- 14, 16, 18, 20, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37- 39
I will cause an alarm of war verse 2
Lord – Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 5
GOD – Jehovah verse 5
Lord GOD of hosts verse 5
I will bring a fear upon you verse 5
I will bring again the captivity of the
children of Ammon verse 6
LORD of hosts verse 7, 26, 35
Is counsel perished from the prudent?
Is their wisdom vanished?
I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him verse 8
I will visit him verse 8
I have made Esau bare verse 10
I have uncovered his secret places verse 10
I will preserve your fatherless children verse 11
Let your widows trust in ME verse 11
I will bring you down says the LORD verse 16
I have sworn by MYSELF verse 13
I will suddenly make him run away from her verse 19
Counsel of the LORD verse 20
Purpose of God verse 20
I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus verse 27
and it shall consume the palaces of
Ben-hadad
I will break the bow of Elam verse 35
I will bring the four winds from the
four quarters of heaven verse 36
Judgment of the LORD verse 37
I will send the sword after Elam
till they are consumed
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Ammonites verse 1-6
Rabbah of the Ammonites verse 2
Alarm of war
Desolate heap
Her daughters shall be burned with fire
Heshbon verse 3
Ai verse 3
Daughters of Rabbah verse 3
Edomites verse 7- 22
Teman
Inhabitants of Dedan
Shall not be able to hide himself
You shall not go unpunished
Bozrah shall become a desolation
a reproach, a waste, a curse,
cities shall be perpetual
wastes
I will make you small among the heathen
despised among men
terribleness has deceived you
pride of your heart
dwell in the clefts of the rock
shall be a desolation
every one that goes by it shall be
astonished and hiss at all
the plagues thereof
counsel of the LORD against Edom
against the inhabitants of Teman
Heathen verse 14, 15
Sodom and Gomorrah verse 18
Red Sea verse 21
Damascus verse 23-27
confounded
waxed feeble
fear has seized her
anguish and sorrows have taken her
as a woman in travail
Arpad verse 23
heard evil tidings
fainthearted
Nebuchadrezzar – king of Babylon verse 28, 30
has taken counsel against Kedar
Kedar verse 28-29
kingdom of Hazor
spoil the men of the east
fear on every side
Hazor verse 30- 33
dwelling for dragons
Elam verse 34-39
will be dismayed by the LORD
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Backsliding verse 4
Trust in treasure verse 4
Fear verse 5, 24, 29
Thief verse 9
Drunk verse 12
Heathen verse 14, 15
Deceives verse 16
Pride verse 16
Fainthearted verse 23
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Prudent verse 7
Wisdom verse 7
Trust in the LORD verse 11
Chosen verse 19
Shephard verse 19
Praise verse 25
Joy verse 25
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Israel verse 1, 2
Son or Heir verse 1
King verse 1
Gad verse 1
Esau verse 10
Jordan verse 19
Jeremiah – the prophet verse 34
Against Elam in the beginning of
the reign of Zedekiah
king of Judah
Zedekiah – king of Judah verse 34- 36
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Latter days verse 39
LORD will bring again the captivity of
Elam
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QUOTES regarding passage
The basic idea would then have to do with firmness or solidity. Be that as it may, in Hebrew, bāṭaḥ expresses that sense of well-being and security which results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. It is significant that the LXX never translates this word with πιστευω “believe in” but with ελπιζω “to hope,” in the positive sense “to rely on God” or πειφομαι “to be persuaded,” for the negative notion for relying on what turns out to be deceptive. This would seem to indicate that bāṭaḥ does not connote that full-orbed intellectual and volitional response to revelation which is involved in “faith,” rather stressing the feeling of being safe or secure. Likewise, all the derivatives have the same meaning “to feel secure,” “be unconcerned.”
[The word bāṭaḥ has an ambivalent connotation when used of human relationships. The folk “living at ease” with their neighbors suffered for their credulity and gullibility, while those taking advantage of their careless posture are censured: cf. the false security of the Shechemites vs. the cruelty of Levi and Simeon (Gen 34:25), of Israel vs. Gog (Ezk 38:10–11). Proverbs 3:29 explicitly warns against taking advantage of a trusting neighbor. b.k.w.]
In general, the ot contrasts the validity of that sense of confidence which comes from reliance upon God with the folly of any other kind of security. It is made plain that all such trust will end in disgrace and shame (Ps 31:14 [H 15], see bôš), whereas those whose hope is in God alone will be delivered from their enemies (Ps 22:4 [H 5]); their prayers will be answered (I Chr 5:20); they will walk in straight paths (Prov 3:5); will be given joy and gladness (Ps 16:9; 33:21); will know inner peace and absence of fear (Ps 4:8 [H 9]; Isa 26:3); etc. Hence, the repeated admonition to trust in the Lord (Prov 16:20; Isa 30:15; Jer 17:7). (Oswalt, J. N. (1999). 233 בָּטַח. R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed., pp. 101–102). Chicago: Moody Press.)
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49:4–5 The Ammonites boasted of their “valleys so fruitful” that they felt gave them protection from enemies (cf. 21:13). Like complacent Moab (48:11) and Edom (49:16), Ammon felt secure from invasion because the people lived in an inaccessible region and because of their great wealth. But the Lord was going to bring terror on them (cf. 48:43) from those around them (cf. 6:25; 20:3). “Every one” (lit. “each man to his face”) would be driven away with no one to rally or help “the fugitives.” (Huey, F. B. (1993). Jeremiah, Lamentations (Vol. 16, p. 399). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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4–6 Living in an inaccessible country with mountains on three sides, Ammon considered herself beyond invasion. She was proud of her valleys made fertile by the Arnon waters (v.4). The rendering flowing valley (lit. Heb.; NIV, “valleys so fruitful”) is problematic (see Notes). Everyone will flee precipitately by the shortest route with no one to rally the fugitives (v.5). Josephus (Antiq. X, 181 [ix.7]) says that Nebuchadnezzar defeated Ammon in the fifth year after the destruction of Jerusalem. The Ammonites opposed Israel even after the Exile (cf. Neh 4:1–15) and in the Maccabean era (cf. 1 Macc 5:6, 30–43; so KD). As with Moab (cf. 48:47), the Lord graciously promises restoration (v.6). (Feinberg, C. L. (1986). Jeremiah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel (Vol. 6, p. 665). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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Jer. 49:4. Thus shall the empty boasting of the Ammonites and their trust in their riches come to nothing. “Why dost thou boast of the valleys?” i.e., of the splendid fruitful valleys and plains which, being well watered, produced large crops of corn and wheat. זָב עִמְקֵךְ is viewed by some as an antithesis [to what immediately precedes]: “thy valley flows, sc. with the blood of the slain” (Rosenmüller and Gesenius still view it thus); or, “it flows away,” i.e., thy valley (viz., its inhabitants) is scattered, dispersed. But it is quite arbitrary to supply “with blood;” and even the other explanation—which Hitzig justifies on the ground that valley or river-bottom stands for what it contains, i.e., the inhabitants of the valley, and that the population is represented under the figure of a mass of water running, flowing away—is very far-fetched. The words cannot form an antithesis to what precedes (because the description of the confidence shown is still continued, and the antithesis does not follow till v. 5), but merely a further extension of the preceding clause. We may, then, either translate, “thy valley flows, overflows,” so that the words shall be subordinated to what precedes; or we may take זָב, with Ewald and Graf, as a noun, in which case we must repeat the preposition בְּ, “the abundance of thy valley.” The singular, “thy valley,” means, together with the other valleys of the country, perhaps the valley of Rabbah; for Ammân lies in a broad valley along with banks of the Moiet Ammân, which has its source in a pool two hundred paces from the south-west end of the city (Burckhardt’s Syria, p. 355). Regarding the vicinity, Abulfeda writes (Tabulae Syr. ed. Mich. p. 92), circumjecta regio arva sativa sunt ac terra bona et abundans. The direct address, “O rebellious daughter,” used of Israel in 31:22, is here transferred to the inhabitants of Rabbah, with reference to the fact that the Ammonites, denying their descent from Lot, behaved like enemies towards Jahveh and His people. In trusting their riches, they are like the Moabites, 48:7. In this confidence they said, “Who will come unto us?” i.e., attack us as enemies. Thereupon the Lord replies, “I will bring on thee fear, terror from all that is round thee,” all the nations that dwell about thee (cf. 48:17, 39), whose distress or overthrow will put thee in terror. אִישׁ נֶגְדֹּו = אִישׁ לְפָנָיו, “every one before him” (cf. Josh. 6:5, Amos 4:3), without looking about him, or turning round (cf. 46:5), i.e., in the most precipitate flight, with no one to rally the fugitives. לַנֹּדֵר is collective. (Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (1996). Commentary on the Old Testament (Vol. 8, pp. 406–407). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.)
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49:4–6. Ammon’s problem, like that of Moab, was pride (cf. 48:29). Ammon boasted of her valleys that were so fruitful. She trusted in her riches and felt secure enough to question who would have the courage to attack her (cf. Ezek. 21:18–23). But God’s judgment would shatter Ammon’s complacency and pride when He brought His terror on her. Those who had been boasting of their security would be driven away, and no leader would be found to gather the fugitives to return and repossess their land. Yet in His grace God vowed that afterward He would restore the fortunes of the Ammonites (cf. Jer. 48:47; 49:39). (Dyer, C. H. (1985). Jeremiah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1197). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Like the Moabites, the Ammonites were the product of Lot’s incestuous union with one of his daughters (Gen. 19:20–38) and the enemies of the Jews.
Jeremiah’s first accusation is that the Ammonites moved into Israel’s territory when Assyria took the Northern Kingdom captive in 722 B.C. The Ammonites took Gad and other cities, as though the Jews would never return. The phrase “their king” in Jeremiah 49:1 and 3 can be translated Molech, which is the name of the chief god of the Ammonites (1 Kings 11:5, 7, 33). They boasted that their god was stronger than the God of Israel, but one day Israel will “drive” the Ammonites out of the land (Jer. 49:2, NIV).
The Ammonites boasted that their fruitful valley was secure because mountains protected it on three sides (v. 4), but that couldn’t stop the invasion. God had decreed judgment for proud Ammon, and nothing they trusted could prevent the invasion.
Once again, however, we see the goodness and mercy of the Lord in promising to restore the fortunes of the Ammonites when He restores the fortunes of Israel and Judah in the future kingdom. God restores them, not because of their own merits, but because they share in the glories that Israel will experience when King Jesus sits on David’s throne. “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Decisive (p. 168). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ammonites
is much briefer, the six opening verses of the next chapter giving it all. As before noted, they descended from the younger daughter of Lot, and typically speak of practically the same thing as Moab, only that they might also suggest those who prey upon the true Church of God, like Simon Magus and his numberless kin. They ever seem to have been a warlike people, and possibly had thus been considerably decimated, as we never find them occupying as large a place as the nation we have just been considering. Restless, predatory and nomadic, they did not possess the number of fenced cities, neither did they enjoy the high state of civilization characteristic of the Moabites. From the first they were the enemies of Israel, even though Moses sought to placate them, and directed the people to “distress them not” (Deut. 2:19), as in the case of Moab also.
In the times of Jeremiah they dwelt in several of the cities of Gad, and possibly also of Reuben and Benjamin; their own capital being Rabbath as of old, which was just across the border from Gad. Bold and fearless, but with no great cities, they could not be characterized by the pride of national glory that we have seen in Moab; but the indictment here brought against them is that she “trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?” They were thus independent of God equally with their more cultured neighbors.
In verse 1 the Lord asks, “Hath Israel no sons? Hath he no heir? Why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?” The Ammonites had taken advantage of the captivity of Israel and their manifold afflictions to enrich themselves, and to occupy the territory contiguous to their own land. “Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the Lord” (ver. 2): that is, the power of Ammon was soon to be broken, and Israel made once more to occupy the cities that had been wrested from them. This has already had a partial fulfilment. It will have a more complete one in the Millennium, when Israel shall dwell in his own land, with none to make him afraid.
Lamentation and mourning, the prophet declared, should take the place of Ammon’s proud boasting and conceit; for her king should go into captivity with the princes and priests, and their whole people that were spared from the sword should be driven out of their land, with none to “gather up him that wandereth.” Afterward, when the chastisement shall have been productive of blessing, the children of Ammon will be restored, as in the case of Moab (vers. 3–6).
Somewhat more lengthy is the prophetic word concerning (Ironside, H. A. (1906). Notes on the prophecy and Lamentations of Jeremiah (pp. 264–266). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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Ver. 4. Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, &c.] Of which there were many in the country of Ammon, fruitful and well-watered, which were situated by the rivers of Arnon and Jabbok, the borders of this country, and in which was the plain of the vineyards; see Judg. 11:13, 33 and indeed the whole country was a vale. For, as Josephus says, the country both of the Moabites and Ammonites were in the valley of Syria, or Cœlesyria; that is, hollow Syria, so called from its lying low, or in a valley; for this country lay between the mountains Libanus and Antilibanus, as Strabod says, and brought forth a large increase; in this they gloried, in the produce of these valleys, in the grass, corn, and vines, that grew upon them, and the flocks that fed there; but now should have no occasion to glory, all being swept away by the enemy: thy flowing valley, or, thy valley flows; is overflowed with water, through abundance of rain, which destroyed the fruits of it, so Jarchi; or rather flowed with the blood of the slain, as Kimchi, Ben Melech, and Abarbinel; the enemy having entered it, and made so great a slaughter of men in it: O backsliding daughter? the Targum is, O foolish kingdom; the whole kingdom of Ammon is meant, or the people of it; who, descending from righteous Lot, may be called backsliders; and, being also idolaters, have this character; for such revolt from the true God, to worship idols: it may be rendered, refractory, rebellious; as all such persons are: that trusteth in her treasures, saying, who shall come unto me? dwelling in valleys encompassed with mountains, and in fortified cities, and abounding in wealth and riches, whereby they were able to procure men and arms to defend themselves; thought they were safe from any enemy, and that none could come nigh them, and so dwelt at ease, and in great security. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 5, p. 664). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Strong faith is based upon the facts of God’s Word – the truth of our salvation, the historic fact of Christ’s resurrection, the understanding that He will come again. Those things are true even if I’m not as excited about them as I should be on a gloomy day. (p, 76)
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What Peter is saying to us is, “Start digging! You have your shovel, you have your earth-moving equipment, now lay down that sure foundation.“ You do so by applying all that is in the Word. (p. 77)
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No, it’s not easy, but those who are diligent, those who continue to pursue the consistent Christian life, will enjoy a maturity that causes them to live with confidence in chaotic times. (p. 83) (Dr. David Jeremiah, Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World)
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Using the parable of the Good Shepherd, Jesus teaches of salvation and His deity.
INSIGHT
Whoever comes in contact with Jesus is either blinded or enlightened. They either accept Him or begin manufacturing reasons not to believe in Him. Jesus illustrates this reality with the imagery of sheep and a shepherd. He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (10:27). Make your heart tender and sensitive to hear and obey Jesus. Walk in His light and you will not stumble. (Daily Walk)
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Hidden Rocks
“These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear.” (Jude 1:12)
The “spots” that the translators chose for this description by Jude may be better understood as “hidden rocks” just below a lake’s surface or covered over by shallow sand in a pathway. Spilas is the Greek word, not used elsewhere in the New Testament.
The feasts that Jude refers to are somewhat difficult to describe biblically since this is the only time the word agape is used in the plural. There is some evidence that the early churches were extending the time of celebration of the Lord’s Supper improperly (1 Corinthians 11:20-21), and it is probable that his warning would apply to churches who are indifferent to maintaining purity (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
But the imagery also appears to express the danger that the “spots” present amidst the loving environment of most churches. Jude gives several insights about the character of those who would resist “the faith.” These people have established themselves as they feast and are “feeding themselves without fear.” The word choices are powerful.
The spots are suneuocheo (feeding with) and getting along very well with the rest of the church, shepherding themselves (poimaino) boldly (aphobos). This is bad! These evil men have become so entrenched that they lead their own faction with no fear of resistance or confrontation. The Lord Jesus has stern words to speak to those churches who allow biblical error to establish itself through false teachers and unconcerned leaders (Revelation 2–3).
Peter describes such people as “spots . . . and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceiving while they feast with you . . . that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls” (2 Peter 2:13-14). Not a pretty picture. God does not tolerate such ungodly behavior, and neither should we. (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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THE CROSS IS A MIGHTY DECLARATION
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
Romans 3:25
The cross is a mighty declaration. And what it says is this: The Son is a propitiation. In other words, God on the cross was punishing sin. He said that he would, and He has done it.
God has always said that sin is to be punished, that His holy wrath is upon it, and that He cannot deal with sin in any other terms. And He has done exactly what He promised. On the cross He is doing it publicly. There He is, once and for all, at the central point of history, pouring out His wrath upon the sins of man in the body of His own Son. He is striking Him; He is smiting Him; He is condemning Him to death. Christ dies, and His blood speaks. It is God’s punishment of sin and evil. It is a mighty declaration that God has done what He has always said He would do—namely, that He would punish sin, and the wages of sin is death. And there you see it happening upon the cross. It is an announcement, a proclamation, that this is God’s way of dealing with the problem of sin.
I hasten to say this. It is obviously the only way to deal with sin, and the cross says that.
There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heaven and let us in.
Mrs. C. F. Alexander
It is not surprising that the gospel of the cross and the blood of Christ has produced some of the greatest poetry the world has ever known.
A Thought to Ponder_ The cross is an announcement, a proclamation, that this is God’s way of dealing with the problem of sin. (From The Cross, pp. 163-164, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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