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"Judgment on False Trusts"
Jeremiah 49

Wednesday AM Bible Study
June 29, 2005

The story of Jeremiah has been focused on God's judgement on His disobedient people Israel. But these closing chapters of Jeremiah's prophecy have shown us God's judgment on the surrounding nations (chpts. 46-49); and then, on Babylon itself (chpts. 50-51).

As the surrounding nations watched God's judgment on Israel, they thought themselves secure. They thought that their false trusts had won the day. But as God's word warns, ". . . The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17).

In chapter 49, we see God's promised judgment on the things that the surrounding nations trusted in. These prophecies are warnings to us not to place our confidence in the false trusts that they depended on, but to be sure that our trust is in the Lord alone.

I. THE FALSE GODS OF AMMON (vv. 1-6).

A. This people group came from one of the sons of Lot (along with Moab). They were long-time troublers of Israel; and were very cruel in their wickedness and arrogance (Amos 1:13-15). They eventually took possession of Gad (v. 1); but God caused their capital city (Rabbah) to be destroyed by the Babylonian hoards (v. 2).

B. They boasted that their false god Milcom (or Molech) had captured Gad for them. But God promises that Milcom will go into captivity (vv. 3-5). Yet; there will one day be a remnant that God will bring back to Ammon (v. 6).

II. THE SECURE POSITION OF EDOM (vv. 7-22).

A. Edom was the half-brother of Jacob; and yet, they were hostile to one another. Its chief city, Teman, was often noted for wise counsel; but that wise counsel will fail. (v. 7) - so much so, in fact, that Edom will be stripped bare more than would be normal until the remnant trusts in the Lord (vv. 8-11).

B. God's words in v. 12 reflect those of 1 Peter 4:17. Edom boasted itself against Israel when it was judged, but God will now bring the judgment upon Edom.

C. Edom boasted in its geographic security. It had high mountains and low valleys. It even boasted in Petra; its high fortress carved out of rock; but it too would be brought low (vv. 13-18). It boasted itself as a lion; but even a little lamb from Babylon will be able to pull it out of its hiding places (vv. 19-22).

III. THE PROSPEROUS BEAUTY OF DAMASCUS (vv. 23-27).

A. Damascus was known for its great beauty - a city of praise. It may even be that God Himself recognizes this in v. 25.

B. And yet, even its beauty would not keep it from judgment (vv. 26-27).

IV. THE SAFE ISOLATION OF KEDAR AND HAZOR (vv. 28-33).

A. These two Arabic lands were separated by the others by a vast desert area. They thought themselves secure because of the difficulty involved in getting to them.

B. God promises that Nebuchadnezzar will come (v. 30), and scatter their prosperity to the surrounding nations that they thought couldn't reach them (vv. 31-33).

V. THE MILITARY STRENGTH OF ELAM (vv. 34-39).

A. The Elamites were a Persian people. They were renowned for their archers. But even this will not protect them from God's judgment (vv. 35-38).

B. And yet, God promises a future even for Elam. We see it realized in Acts 2:9.

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