Theological Commentary: Click Here
There are
three main ideas that came to mind as I read this chapter. The most obvious one is its length,
especially when contrasted with the last chapter about the Philistines. Yesterday, Jeremiah didn’t seem to have much
to say. Today, Jeremiah seems to cycle
through the same ideas over and over.
This chapter is personal. This
chapter wants to indicate that Jeremiah and the Lord are highly interested in
the downfall of Moab. Additionally, Jeremiah
mentions specific cities found in Moab.
Why would Jeremiah
make this so personal? Jeremiah wants to
drive the point home to the Hebrew people – and the Moabites, should they ever
hear this message. Destruction
happens. Bad days, bad weeks, bad months
happen. But we like to think they won’t
happen to us. When it gets personal, we
can’t hide anymore. When it gets
personal, it hits home. When it gets
personal, it causes us to think about what is involved. That’s one of Jeremiah’s motives for this
passage.
The second
idea is how often Jeremiah speaks about the concept of destruction. Time and time again Jeremiah specifically
says the word destruction. He calls the
Babylonians the destroyer over and over.
Jeremiah wants the people to understand that Babylon isn’t going to come
and take their stuff. Babylon is coming
and the culture will be destroyed. Life
will irrevocably change. This is a big
event that will shake the face of life itself in the Promised Land.
Finally,
though, in the very last verse, we do get a glimmer of hope. As personal as this utter destruction is, God
tells them that in the end they will rebuild.
Moab will be restored. God’s
judgment need not be as permanent as His love.
In the end, especially after a long chapter about destruction, this is important. Babylon is coming. Moab will be destroyed. Yet, after Babylon is gone, God will still
remain. Babylon will fade, but God will
be there to help rebuild and restore.
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