Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Against Damascus"
Text: Jeremiah 49:23
THE ATTACK AGAINST SYRIA
The Babylonians were out to conquer many countries near and far. Judah was not spared. Neither was Edom. Syria was next!
“Against Damascus.
‘Hamath and Arpad are shamed,
For they have heard bad news.
They are fainthearted;
There is trouble on the sea;
It cannot be quiet.
Damascus has grown feeble;
She turns to flee,
And fear has seized her.
Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labour.'”
Jeremiah 49:23-24
1. “Against Damascus. ‘Hamath and Arpad are shamed, for they have heard bad news.
They are fainthearted; there is trouble on the sea; it cannot be quiet'”
a) Damascus was the capital of Syria.
b) Hamath and Arpad were two other major cities of Syria.
c) They had been conquered by the Assyrians once before.
d) They were going to be conquered by the Babylonians now.
e) Their reactions were largely negative:
i) They were ashamed they had no defence.
ii) They were fainthearted.
iii) They were like the troubled sea that was not calm.
2. “Damascus has grown feeble; she turns to flee, and fear has seized her.
Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labour”
a) The capital Damascus was not doing any better.
b) The soldiers turned to flee from the Babylonians.
c) Fear had gripped the hearts of the inhabitants.
d) Anguish and sorrows had taken over like a woman in labour.