Judgment on the Nations (2): Jeremiah 49 (5)

Pray Psalm 72.7-11.
In His days the righteous shall flourish,
And abundance of peace,
Until the moon is no more.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.
Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him,
And His enemies will lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles
Will bring presents;
The kings of Sheba and Seba
Will offer gifts.
Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him;
All nations shall serve Him.

Sing Psalm 72.7-11.
(Martyrdom: Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed)
Let righteousness abundant be where Jesus’ reign endures;
let peace increase from sea to sea ‘til moonlight shall be no more.

And let the Righteous rule the earth, and let His foes bow low;
let nations praise His matchless worth, and all His bidding do.

Read and meditate on Jeremiah 49.28-33.

Prepare.
1. Where does it seem the people of Kedar and Hazor lived?

2. What would happen to Kedar and Hazor?

Meditate.
Kedar and Hazor must have been major “cities” in what Isaiah identified as Arabia (Is. 21.13-16). They were probably actually more like encampments, since their “cities” had no walls or gates (v. 31). The people may have been desert-dwellers (v. 29) who gathered together at oases, to which they gave names. They, too, would come under the judgment of God and the power of Nebuchadnezzar. Isaiah reports that the people of Kedar, at least, were skilled archers, but that not even this would prevail against the Babylonian swords and arrows.

The people of these two cities had made the mistake of trusting in their wealth to allow them to dwell securely (v. 31). God would deprive them of all they trusted in (v. 32) and scatter them to the four winds. Only jackals would remain where once their encampments had flourished (v. 33).

There is no indication here that God was angry at the idolatry of these people, or that they had been in any way a hindrance or an enemy to Judah. Their “idol” was their possessions, which they jealously guarded and diligently worked to increase. God was coming in judgment to sweep clean the area around and throughout Israel and Judah, and not even these desert tribes would escape His wrath. And while we see here no word of a future hope for these people, David had already spoken that hope in Psalm 72.8, 9 (where “wilderness” can mean equally “desert”).

Pray that God will stay His hand of judgment, both against our nation and world, as well as against His Church. Seek the Lord for revival, renewal, and awakening; for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Reflect.
1. The Bible does not condemn wealth. What does it condemn, where wealth is concerned?

2. Peter wrote that it was time for judgment to begin from (not at, as in NKJV) the house of the Lord (1 Pet. 4.17). What did he mean by that, and how does that relate to our study of the book of Jeremiah?

3. Why is it important that we confess our sins and repent of them faithfully?

… when evils overwhelm the whole world, then, there being no difference, we think that all things are in a state of confusion, nor can we collect our thoughts so as to know, that God so takes vengeance on all, that he yet regulates his judgments, as it is right, according to his infinite and incomprehensible wisdom and justice. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Jeremiah 49.28

Lord, have mercy on us, and send revival before judgment comes, so that…

Pray Psalm 72.15-19.
Ask the Lord for a clear vision of His Kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. Go forth to seek that Kingdom today.

Sing Psalm 72.15-19.
Psalm 72.15-19 (Martyrdom: Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed)
Let Christ be praised and all the gold of Sheba be His right;
Let blessings to His Name be told, and prayers made both day and night.

And let the earth abound with grain, let fields His fame proclaim;
and may our King forever reign and nations bless His great Name.

Now bless the God of Israel Who wondrous works performs.
And bless His Name, His glory tell both now and forever more!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).