Today’s passage: Jeremiah 49:1-39
Helpful thoughts:
- Today’s first prophecy is given to the people of Ammon (Ammonites). Like the Moabites, they are also descended from Lot (Genesis 19:38).
- Milcom is another name for the false god Molech. The Ammonites were living in land that God had promised to Israel, therefore Israel will eventually live in the land.
- The second prophecy of judgment is against the Edomites, the descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:1).
- The Edomites were proud and felt unbeatable because of the mountainous area they lived in. But they were defeated by the Babylonians and even ceased to exist as a political entity after the Roman conquest.
- Judgment number three: Damascus
- Nebuchadnezzar conquered Damascus in 605 B.C.
- Judgment number four: Kedar and Hazor
- These are Ishmaelite people who lived in the desert areas east of the Jordan. They were conquered in 599/598 B.C.
- Judgment number five: Elam
- Elam was east of Babylon and west of the Tigris river. King Darius of the Persians would later rule from its capital, Susa (Nehemiah 1:1). They were conquered by Babylon in 596 B.C. and then changed hands to the Persians in 539 B.C.
Questions to consider:
- What does Acts 2:9 prove concerning God’s promise to the Elamites in verse 39? What does the fulfillment of all these prophecies confirm to us about our God? Which of His attributes are on display?
- Compare and contrast what these different nations seem to be trusting in for their safety and well-being? What is different about them…and yet, what is similar?
- How can these varying trusts and hopes be contrasted with all the things that God is for us? What does God commit to do for His children that frees us from relying on ourselves, weapons, terrain, false gods, etc.?