‏ Jeremiah 48

* Prophecies against Moab for pride and security. (1-13) For

carnal confidence and contempt of God. (14-47)

#1-13. The Chaldeans are to destroy the Moabites. We should be

thankful that we are required to seek the salvation of men's

lives, and the salvation of their souls, not to shed their

blood; but we shall be the more without excuse if we do this

pleasant work deceitfully. The cities shall be laid in ruins,

and the country shall be wasted. There will be great sorrow.

There will be great hurry. If any could give wings to sinners,

still they could not fly out of the reach of Divine indignation.

There are many who persist in unrepented iniquity, yet long

enjoy outward prosperity. They had been long corrupt and

unreformed, secure and sensual in prosperity. They have no

changes of their peace and prosperity, therefore their hearts

and lives are unchanged, #Ps 55:19|.14-47. The destruction of Moab is further prophesied, to awaken

them by national repentance and reformation to prevent the

trouble, or by a personal repentance and reformation to prepare

for it. In reading this long roll of threatenings, and mediating

on the terror, it will be of more use to us to keep in view the

power of God's anger and the terror of his judgments, and to

have our hearts possessed with a holy awe of God and of his

wrath, than to search into all the figures and expressions here

used. Yet it is not perpetual destruction. The chapter ends with

a promise of their return out of captivity in the latter days.

Even with Moabites God will not contend for ever, nor be always

wroth. The Jews refer it to the days of the Messiah; then the

captives of the Gentiles, under the yoke of sin and Satan, shall

be brought back by Divine grace, which shall make them free

indeed.