49:1-6
A number of nations come under judgement in this chapter, beginning with the Ammonites. Ammon had allied herself with Judah when Jidah first rebelled against Babylon, but was generally an enemy of Judah. The “has Israel no sons” stuff refers to the northern kingdom of Israel. Assyria had earlier conquered Israel and Ammon had since taken possession of the land, assuming that the Israelites would not come back. This was a mistake. Just because God had inflicted severe judgement upon Israel did not mean that she was abandoned forever. We can apply this principle to individuals as well. Now Ammon felt secure, but this was based on pride and she would suffer a terrible fate. However, like Moab, God says that it will be only for a time, then God would restore her.
49:7-13
Next up is Edom. Edom was the nation that was built out of Esau. Edom had a reputation for wisdom, and Job 2:11 speaks of Eliphaz the Temanite. But her reputation for wisdom would soon come to nothing. Edom had often been at war with Judah, and delighted in Judah’s downfall. But Edom herself would soon suffer a devastating downfall. The reputations of nations can soon come to nothing.
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