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Friday, 25 July 2014

Jeremiah 49 - Five more nations for judgement

Five more nations are now in view. First up is Ammon. The Ammonites had humiliated Israel, taking possession of her territory after she was defeated by Assyria. Ammon thought she had gained nicely out of the events and that Israel was no more, but God declares that danger is coming. Moreover, Israel would drive Ammon out. Like Moab she boasted of her prowess, but terror would come upon her. Yet, like several of the nations, she would be restored.
Next up is Edom. Much of these verses bear a close resemblance to Obadiah. Edom was famous for her men of wisdom (see Job). Yet this wisdom would not save her. And the onslaught would be terrible and complete. Yet in the midst of this God would care for the widows and the fatherless (v11). Nations mocked Judah, not realising that if even Judah was going to suffer judgement, then there was no hope at all for other nations (v12).
Pride, as with so many other nations, was Edom's besetting sin. God had sent a call to the nations to come and attack. There is no promise of restoration for Edom.
Damascus too will suffer, and there is no restoration for her either.
Fourthly we have Kedar and Hazor, another land that was self-confident and seemed to live at peace. Nebuchadnezzar had been summoned to attack and the land would become desolate.
Finally in this chapter we have Elam. Elam had skilled archers, hence the reference in v35, but this would not save her. Elam is one of the nations that is promised restoration.

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