Jeremiah 48

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Jeremiah’s Prophecies against Moab

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God must judge the sin of complacency.

  2. God must judge the sin of pride.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t ignore context for the sake of practical application.

QUESTIONS

  1. The archaeological artifact that is dated to about 840 BC and describes the contentious relationship between Moab and the northern kingdom of Israel is known as the _______________. It can be seen in the British Museum today.

  2. Jeremiah’s prophecy against Moab here in chapter 48 was fulfilled in _____ BC. In this prophecy of judgment, Moab is not denounced for its military attacks on Judah. Why was Moab denounced?

  3. A portion of verse 11 in Hebrew was found stamped on the handle of a wine jug dating to the 1st or 2nd century AD. Until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, this artifact contained one of the earliest extant texts of Scripture in Hebrew. It is known as the ______________ _____.

  4. How would you describe the economic condition of Moab at the time of Jeremiah’s prophecies here in chapter 48?

  5. According to Jeremiah’s prophecies in this chapter, will there be a spiritual restoration of the area of ancient Moab (modern Jordan) in the future?

ANSWERS

  1. The Moabite Stone not only describes the relationship between Moab and the northern kingdom of Israel, but also mentions King Omri and his son (King Ahab of Israel was the son of Omri). It also mentions Chemosh, the chief Moabite deity. (See verse 7.)

  2. Jeremiah’s prophecy against Moab here in chapter 48 was fulfilled in 581 BC with Moab’s defeat at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. Moab was not denounced for its military attacks, but rather for its complacency and pride.

  3. The extant Hebrew text found stamped on the handle of a wine jug and dated to the 1st or 2nd century AD is known as the Jeremiah Seal.

  4. Throughout chapter 48, Moab is described as militarily strong, full of rich treasures and great populated cities, and as a prosperous fruit and wine producing area. God’s judgment however, would eventually bring plunder and destruction, death, captivity, and military defeat.

  5. Verse 47 indicates that there will be a spiritual restoration of this area of modern Jordan – it may even be called Moab once again. We believe that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the Lord returns and establishes His worldwide earthly kingdom.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Consider how the sins of pride and complacency led to the other ungodly characteristics of the people of Moab. Are any of these characteristics or patterns of behavior present in our own country today? Can they also be traced to the sins of pride and complacency?

CHALLENGE

  1. Have you found that complacency or pride in your life leads you into the wrongful worship of your own material possessions or personal talents? Are you aware of God’s displeasure of complacency, pride and false worship? “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

KEY VERSES

  • “We have heard the pride of Moab (He is exceedingly proud), of his loftiness and arrogance and pride, and of the haughtiness of his heart.” . . . “Yet I will bring back the captives of Moab in the latter days,” says the Lord. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.” Jeremiah 48: 29,47



Jeremiah, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsJeremiah 48