Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"The riches they have acquired have perished"
Text: Jeremiah 48:36
THE FOLLY OF IDOLATRY
Moab and Ammon were the sons of Lot, the nephew of Abraham. Both sons fared well in life. From humble beginnings both became rich nations. The sad reality was that they had become idolatrous!
“From the cry of Heshbon to Elealeh and to Jahaz
They have uttered their voice,
From Zoar to Horonaim,
Like a three-year-old heifer;
For the waters of Nimrim also shall be desolate.
‘Moreover,’ says the LORD,
‘I will cause to cease in Moab
The one who offers sacrifices in the high places
And burns incense to his gods.
Therefore My heart shall wail like flutes for Moab,
And like flutes My heart shall wail
For the men of Kir Heres.
Therefore the riches they have acquired have perished.'”
Jeremiah 48:34-36
1. “From the cry of Heshbon to Elealeh and to Jahaz they have uttered their voice,
from Zoar to Horonaim, like a three-year-old heifer;
for the waters of Nimrim also shall be desolate”
a) The cities of Moab were mentioned.
i) Heshbon was a city in the high hills of Moab.
ii) Elealeh and Jahaz were cities that lay on the borders of Israel.
iii) Zoar was a very small town while Horonaim was a richer city.
b) All of these cities, larger ones or smaller ones would be devastated.
c) They are compared to a heifer that mourns because it is thirsty
and the waters of Nimrim are desolate.
d) Nimrim was a stream that was known to have good and clean water
but it was undrinkable after the country was defeated and lay desolate.
2. “‘Moreover,’ says the LORD, ‘I will cause to cease in Moab
the one who offers sacrifices in the high places and burns incense to his gods'”
a) All the inhabitants of these cities were given to idolatry.
b) They burned incense to the gods of Moab.
c) Their gods did not come to their rescue.
d) Moab would cease to exist as a nation.
e) Idolatry would come to an end.
3. “Therefore My heart shall wail like flutes for Moab,
and like flutes My heart shall wail for the men of Kir Heres.
Therefore the riches they have acquired have perished”
a) One of their strongholds was Kir Heres.
b) This city became very rich because it was well-defended.
c) But the Babylonians destroyed this strong city and plundered it.
d) Sorrow was felt by all.
e) The LORD expressed sorrow for the inhabitants:
i) For their foolishness in worshipping idols.
ii) For the devastation of Moab.
iii) Destruction brings sadness to the heart of God too!