Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Jeremiah 49:3

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Jeremiah 49:3. Run to and fro by the hedges — It is supposed that this may refer to the women making lamentations for the dead, that were in general buried by the walls of their gardens; but others think that it refers to the smaller cities or villages, called here the daughters of Rabbah, the metropolis; the inhabitants of which are exhorted to seek safety somewhere else, as none can be expected from them, now that the enemy is at hand.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

A message concerning Ammon (49:1-6)

Like its brother nation Moab, Ammon was a distant relative of the nation Judah. (Ammon and Moab were descended from Lot; Judah was descended from Lot’s uncle, Abraham; cf. Genesis 12:5; Genesis 19:36-38). Ammon and Moab occupied part of the tableland region east of the Jordan River, which meant they were the immediate neighbours of Israel and Judah to the east.

About a century before the time of Jeremiah, Assyria had conquered the northern kingdom Israel and carried the people into captivity (2 Kings 15:29; 2 Kings 17:6). Ammon apparently then took the opportunity to seize the territory of Gad, one of Israel’s border tribes. But Ammon forgot that Israel was still God’s people. Jeremiah tells Ammon that it will be conquered and its capital, Rabbah, destroyed. Israel will then repossess its own territory (49:1-2). (Molech, or Milcom, was Ammon’s national god.)

Ammon was proud of the wealth it had built up and thought it was secure against attack. Jeremiah tells the Ammonites that economic prosperity will not save them when the enemy invades. They will be taken into captivity (3-5), though later a remnant will return to the homeland (6).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

PROPHECIES AGAINST AMMON, EDOM, SYRIA, HAZOR, AND ELAM;
PROPHECY AGAINST AMMON

"Of the children of Ammon. Thus saith Jehovah: Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth Malcam possess Gad, and his people dwell in the cities thereof? Therefore the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah of the children of Amman; and it shall become a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel possess them that did possess him, saith Jehovah. Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste; cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth: lament, and run to and fro among the fences; for Malcam shall go into captivity, his priests and his princes together. Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter that trustest in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, from all that are round about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth, and there shall be none to gather together the fugitives. But afterward I will bring back the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith Jehovah."

"Hath Israel no sons… no heir" To understand this, one needs to recall some of the history of Ammon.

AMMON AND THE AMMONITES

Ammon and Moab, were born to Lot by his incestuous union with his daughters (Genesis 19). Their original home was the extensive area east of the Jordan river, northward from the Moabites, and between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers. During the Amorite invasion, the Ammonites lost some of their territory to Sihon (Numbers 21:21-31), who in turn was conquered by Israel under Moses; and the territory was assigned to the tribe of Gad.

Thus, Israel benefited the Ammonites by destroying their old enemies, making the later conduct of Ammon even more reprehensible. Both during the days of the Judges and in the reigns of Saul and David they frequently fought against Israel (2 Samuel 10).

Amos prophesied against Ammon, particularly condemning them for "ripping up the women with child" (Amos 1:13).

The Ammonites regained their territory, and enlarged it by taking Heshbon from Moab, after Tiglath-pileser carried off the tribes of Israel that were east of the Jordan. They hated Israel and Judah continually, and their king engineered the assassination of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40).

This prophecy, therefore, begins with the question, "Why is the pagan god Malcam and his Ammonite followers in possession of the land God gave to Gad?" Is it because Gad has no heirs? The message is that God will throw Ammon out of the land they have usurped from Israel.

"Alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah" This was the most important Ammonite city and was defended by a strong citadel. It was here that David king of Israel arranged the murder of Bathsheba's husband (2 Samuel 11:15).

Along with Damascus, this place has continued as one of the oldest continually populated cities in the entire area. The modern Rabbah is Amman, capital of the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan.

"Wail, O Heshbon" Robinson exclaimed that, "This must be corrupt, because Heshbon was a Moabite city."H. Wheeler Robinson, Jeremiah, p. 493.

But Heshbon, at the time of Jeremiah's prophecy was occupied by Ammon. This was the royal city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, whom Israel defeated (Numbers 32:37). Israel assigned it to Gad; and when an opportunity came, Ammon had taken the city. Generally, however, it was a Moabite city.

"Ai is laid waste" This is not the Ai captured by Joshua, for that was on the west side of Jordan. This place is mentioned nowhere else, and the location of it is unknown.

"Malcam shall go into captivity" This national pagan deity of the Ammonites was exactly the same as Milcom, or Molech.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Chicago, Illinois: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), p. 2074, Solomon erected high places in Jerusalem, not only for Molech, in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but also for many other pagan gods and goddesses to please his wives.

Solomon was punished for this, as indicated by Ahijah, and God rent out of the hand of Solomon ten tribes of Israel, giving the ten tribes to Jeroboam I (1 Kings 11:31-33).

That the burning of infant children as sacrifices to this deity was actually practiced by the Israelites is proved by such passages as Deuteronomy 12:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-13. Also, it is quite likely that David, after the capture of Rabbah, sacrificed many of the survivors by making them "pass through the fire to Molech." The passage on which this is based is disputed, but this writer, nevertheless, believes that is exactly what happened (2 Samuel 12:26-31).

"Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys" The exact meaning of the text here is not known, but it is clear enough that "the valleys" were a possession in which the Ammonites trusted and gloried, along with the "treasures" mentioned in the same verse. The trusting in any material thing is sinful; and the "glorying" of mortals in anything whatsoever, except in the grace and forgiveness of God is likewise wrong.

"I will bring fear upon thee… ye shall be driven out… there shall be none to gather the fugitives" The total ruin of Ammon is prophesied here. The Bible records the fulfillment of it in 2 Samuel 12:25-31. The Ammonites were captured, the crown of their god Malcam, weighing a talent of gold, and set with precious stones, was given to David; and "the spoil of the city was exceeding much."

"But afterward, I will turn back the captivity of the children of Ammon" Here again, the "afterward" suggests the times of Messiah. The Ammonites were eventually absorbed into the peoples of Arabia, some of whom were present on Pentecost; and it is very likely that "the three thousand souls saved that day" included some of the descendants of the Ammonites (Acts 2).

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Ai - Not the town on the west of the Jordan Joshua 7:2; a place not mentioned elsewhere. For Ai some read Ar.

Hedges - Fields were not divided by hedges until recent times; the term probably means the walls which enclose the vineyards Numbers 22:24.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

The Prophet now triumphs, as it were, over the land of Ammon, and, according to his accustomed manner, as we have before seen; for had the prophets spoken without metaphors, and simply narrated the things treated of by them, their words would have been frigid and inefficient, and would not have penetrated into the hearts of men. This, then, is the reason why the prophets adopted an elevated style, and adorned with grandeur their prophecies; for they never, like rhetoricians, affected eloquence, but necessity so urged them, that they represented to the eyes those things which they could not otherwise form a conception of in their minds. On this subject we have spoken often already; but I am again constrained briefly to touch on it, because those who are not well acquainted with Scripture, and do not understand the design of the Holy Spirit, may think that words only are here poured forth. But when we duly weigh what I have said, then we shall readily acknowledge that the Prophet did not, without reason, enlarge on what he had previously said.

Howl, thou Heshbon, he says, for Ai is laid waste These were two neighboring cities: hence he exhorts Heshbon to howl on seeing the overthrow of another city. He then adds, Cry, or cry aloud, ye daughters of Rabbah He again repeats what he had before touched upon as to the city Rabbah. Gird yourselves, he says, with sackcloth, or put on sackcloth. He does not here exhort the citizens of Rabbah to repentance, but he speaks according to the customs of the people, as it has been stated elsewhere. Sackcloth was, indeed, a symbol of penitence; when the miserable wished humbly to flee to God’s mercy, and to confess their sins, they put on sackcloth. But the unbelieving imitated the faithful without discretion or judgment. Hence it was, that they scattered ashes on their heads, that without any reason they put on sackcloth. What was then commonly done is now mentioned by Jeremiah; Put on sackcloth, he says, lament and run here and there by the fences

He afterwards adds in the third person, for gone is their king into captivity. He expressed this, that the Israelites might know, that though that kingdom flourished for a time, yet the day of which the Prophet had spoken would come, when the condition of the Ammonites would be nothing better than that of the Israelites; whose king, as it was known, had been driven into exile, together with the priests and princes. The Prophet now denounces the same punishment on the Ammonites, that not only their king would be driven into another land, as a captive, but also their princes and their priests. It follows —

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 49

Now in chapter 49, he speaks first of the Ammonites. Now, the Ammonites were those people who were north of Moab and east of the Jordan in the upper Jordan area, east of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights, the area of the Ammonites.

Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Has Israel no sons? has he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, for his people are dwelling in his cities? ( Jeremiah 49:1 )

Now you remember when the children of Israel came out of Egypt, and after their forty years or towards the end of their forty-year wandering, they came north and began to conquer some of the territory on the east side of Jordan in that Golan Heights and in the area that became Ammon. And when Joshua gathered the people together to begin their invasion of the land that God had promised, the tribe of Gad, the men from the tribe of Gad and Rueben, half the tribe of Manasseh, they came and they said to Joshua, "Look, this is great cattle country and we're cattlemen. We really don't care to go across the Jordan and to dwell on the other side. We're very happy here. Why don't you just let us have this land where we are? It's just great for us because it's good cattle country." Well, Joshua, his first reaction, he was quite upset. He could remember forty years earlier when they were ready to go into the land and the spies brought back the report that there were giants and the cities were high and walled. And so Joshua was upset because he thought, "Oh my, if we don't go in now we're never going to make it. If these guys start dissembling, then everybody will get discouraged. We won't go in." They said, "No, no, no, you don't understand. We'll send our men in to fight with you, but let our children or our family stay here and we'll come in and we'll fight as long as you need us until we've conquered the land. But then after the land has been conquered we'd like to come back and dwell here." And so it was granted to the tribe of Gad that they could take their portion on the east side of the Jordan in the country of the Amorites and all that they had smitten.

Well, their failure to come on into the land became critical later in their history. And they were the first of the tribes to fall to the enemies. And the Ammonites came against them and took their cities. Now here is a reference of Jeremiah to the fact that the cities that belonged to the tribes of Gad were now inhabited by the Ammonites. And so he says, "Is there no heir of Gad?" and so forth. "Why is it that the Ammonites are possessing the cities of Gad?"

Therefore, behold, the days will come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites ( Jeremiah 49:2 );

Now Rabbah is the modern Ammon in Jordan. So that will give you a little bit of the idea of the location.

and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD ( Jeremiah 49:2 ).

Israel will get back that territory.

Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together. Why did you glory in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather him that wandereth. And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD ( Jeremiah 49:3-6 ).

Now he goes south and his next prophecy is against Edom, which is the area that is south from Moab, and probably at this time was the... where the rock city of Petra was in the boundaries of Edom, for there is a reference here to that rock city of Petra. So Edom, the descendants of Esau.

Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? ( Jeremiah 49:7 )

Now Teman was one of the cities of Edom, and this is probably a reference to Eliphaz who was one of those men who came to comfort Job. Eliphaz the Temanite. And so this is the same Teman that was the home place of Eliphaz, the counselor of Job, and this is probably a reference to the fact that Eliphaz came with wisdom of the world to counsel with Job concerning his problems. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, 'Is wisdom no more in Teman?'" You remember Job said to him, "Surely you are the people, and wisdom is going to die with you" ( Job 12:2 ).

is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished? Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan ( Jeremiah 49:7-8 );

Dedan is interesting. Of course, this area of Edom is now the area, much of it, of Saudi Arabia. Comes up into this area, the area of Dedan. It is interesting that when you realize that Dedan is this present Saudi Arabia, Sheba and Dedan would be identified as Saudi Arabia, to me it is very interesting as we look at the prophetic overview of our present day, for God tells us in Ezekiel that there would be the rebirth of the nation Israel and when the rebirth would take place, that He would put an evil thought into the minds of the leaders in Russia. And they would come forth with a mighty invading army to invade the land of Israel. And it gives the allies that would be coming with Russia: Libya, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, the Balkan States, eastern European states. And it says that when Russia makes this invasion that, "Sheba and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, and the young lions thereof, will say unto her, 'What are you doing invading this little land?'" ( Ezekiel 38:13 ) That isn't right. It's not fair. So right now there's the big to-do over whether or not we should sell these AWACS to Saudi Arabia. And Israel, of course, is putting a lot of pressure against the President at the present time, because he seems to be inclined to sell these AWACS to the Saudi Arabians and Israel is fearful that with the highly sophisticated detection gear within these planes, that Saudi Arabia will be able to intercept all of the radio signals and so forth and it will be a powerful tool in the Saudis' hands of knowing what Israel is planning. And so Israel is putting a lot of pressure against the administration to try to force them not to sell these AWACS to Saudi Arabia.

Now though I oftentimes am concerned as far as what our nation is doing in the light of Bible prophecy, this is one thing that I can't really get upset over, because I know that when the showdown comes, Saudi Arabia will be speaking out against the Russian invasion. And so the Russian invasion of Israel. So though they may make a lot of anti-Israel noise, yet when the showdown comes, Saudi Arabia will be speaking up for Israel. Of course, Saudi Arabia is concerned because with Russia's invasion, the real target will probably be the tremendous oil reserves down there in Saudi Arabia. But Saudi Arabia will not be an enemy to Israel in that major conflict that is coming. And thus, it doesn't really, as I say, there are a lot of things that do concern me of supplying arms to various forces and all, but what we may supply to Saudi Arabia doesn't really bother me from a scriptural standpoint, knowing that when the showdown takes place, Saudi Arabia will be speaking up for Israel. So that's where, if you have the Word of God, you know you can just rest and you don't have to get all excited or worried about the selling of these sophisticated radar planes to Saudi Arabia. Someone put a whole bunch of packets in the office, you know, of seeking to get us involved in letter writing and so forth to put pressure on them not to sell. But there's some things I can get involved with, but this is one that it doesn't really concern me because I know a little bit more than what the government knows at this point.

So, "dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan."

for I will bring the calamity of Esau [the brother of Jacob, father of the Edomites] upon him, the time that I will visit him. If grape gatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough. But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbors, and he is not. Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me. For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it. For I have sworn by myself ( Jeremiah 49:8-13 ),

Now, when God really wants to confirm what He is saying, He swears by Himself, because you should always swear by something greater than you, but there's nothing greater than God so He is stuck to having to swear by Himself. You can't go any higher. So, "I have sworn by myself in order to confirm the covenant, in order to just say, 'Hey, this is for sure.'"

that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes ( Jeremiah 49:13 ).

And they are to the present day. You might find the tells, the ruins, but you won't find any of these cities.

I have heard a rumor from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle. For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men. Thy awesomeness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest ( Jeremiah 49:14-16 )

And here's a reference to that rock city of Petra. "O thou that dwellest,"

in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from there, saith the LORD. Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues. As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it. Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who will be that shepherd that will stand before me? Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them. The earth is moved at the noise of their fall; at the cry the noise thereof was heard even in the Red sea. Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in travail ( Jeremiah 49:16-22 ).

So God speaks of His judgment coming against Edom. Now he turns north to Damascus, the capital of Syria. Damascus, of course, is already fallen to Nebuchadnezzar.

Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad; for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy! Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts. And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad ( Jeremiah 49:23-27 ).

Which is the sort of a title like Pharaoh was a title for the Egyptian leaders. Benhadad was the title for the leaders of Assyria.

Next the Lord speaks against Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor. Now this is probably a nomadic group of people and not the city of Hazor in the upper Galilee region.

which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east. Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all of their vessels ( Jeremiah 49:28-29 ),

Their curtains would be the curtains, of course, of their tents. They're nomadic people. They're Bedouin type of people.

and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side. Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and he's conceived a purpose against you. Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwells without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone. And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD. And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it ( Jeremiah 49:29-33 ).

And so the area of Hazor and Kedar, these nomadic, Bedouin type people. Even that was not to escape from Nebuchadnezzar.

Finally in this passage he comes against Elam. Next week we turn to Babylon and the destruction that God has predicted against Babylon. And that pretty much, of course, finishes the book of Jeremiah as far as chapters 50 and 51.

But Elam,

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam ( Jeremiah 49:34 )

Now Elam is in the area that a lot of the fighting has been going on in the Iran-Iraqi war. In fact, this strait that is through there that they are fighting over the control of, on the Iranian side was the area of Elam. So you're moving over in that direction.

"The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam,"

in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them: And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from there the king and the princes, saith the LORD. But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD ( Jeremiah 49:34-39 ).

So these prophecies, and I have to admit, that there isn't much to get excited over as far as biblical exposition. It's a hard nut to crack and it's just something that because we're going straight through, we wade through it. There isn't a lot that you can really expound upon or exhort here. It's just showing God's judgment and the sureness of God's Word as He fulfilled each of these prophecies against these particular nations. And it's there for a reason. Thus we should read it, though it isn't the most exciting area in the scriptures to read. And we congratulate you for going through it. Each one of you in the class get an automatic A by having gone through it. But I'm sort of happy that it will be three years before we get back to it again, and hopefully we won't be here. And so we'll look at the whole thing from a different perspective next time around.

And so it does, though, point out again this marvelous prophetic aspect to the scriptures, how that God speaks of events before they take place in order that when they do take place, you might believe. Prophecy has been given really as a basis and a foundation for faith. And I think one of the strongest apologetics for the scriptures is that of the fulfilled prophecies. As we look around today and we see the world in which we live and as we look at the prophecies of the Bible and see how so many of these things that we are beholding today are actual fulfillments of God's Word is extremely exciting and it is very faith-building. Jesus said to His disciples, "I told you these things before they come to pass so that when they come to pass you might believe" ( John 13:19 ). And so God has given to us a good outline of what would be happening in these days in which we live. And pretty much as God has outlined, so we see it. And that should be enough to make any wise person believe. Of course, if you're stupid you're not going to believe anything anyhow. But any thinking person looking at the scriptures and looking at the world today is really forced to acknowledge that it's more than coincidence. That God indeed has spoken with great clarity of this day in which we live. Such things as satellite TV, computers, super weapons were all a part of the prophetic picture for the advent of these things was in a sense predicted. God tells about the two witnesses that will be put to death in Jerusalem and the whole world will see their dead bodies lying in the streets of Jerusalem. Impossible until satellite TV. But I've watched the other day a live broadcast from Jerusalem right there in my own family room. Now it's a possibility. Five years ago impossible; today possible.

The Lord said that people will be caused to receive a mark in their right hand or in their forehead and no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark. It would be totally impossible to go to a method of exchange using marks in the right hand or forehead--that would be totally impossible apart from computers. No way could you do that without computers. But now we have computers that are designed to do our banking for us. And already we are buying and selling without money using our credit cards. We're buying and selling without money, and there's only one step from the number on the credit card to the number inscribed in your right hand or in your forehead or the mark. It doesn't necessarily say number, but it says a mark. And we know that the computer is able to read these marks that are on your groceries with these scanners. So these things were all figured in, but they're here. And you could go right on down the line with the prophecies and you could show how that all around the world the events that are taking place are things that God has foretold. Things that would be taking place in the last days. So this only helps confirm the fact of the accuracy of prophecy as we look at predictions that were made and already fulfilled. They only confirm the accuracy of prophecies and confirm the fact that God is the author of the book. And it's good to be getting into the final chapters of prophecy, and we, as Jesus said, are looking up, lifting up our heads for we know that our redemption is very close.

Father, we thank You for Your sure word of prophecy. And as we read of Your judgments upon these nations roundabout Israel, and we realize, Lord, that Your judgment was righteous, for they had forsaken You. They were worshipping and serving other gods. They had sought to live independent of Thee. Even so, Lord, as we look around ourselves today, we see that the United States has settled on its lees, beginning to live after the flesh, beginning to smell of the flesh. We realize, Lord, that we can't escape Thy judgment, either. That in righteousness You must judge and that You will judge. Father, help us that we might be accounted worthy to escape these things that will be coming, that we might stand before Thee in that day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

The Lord bless and give you a good week. And may you live in that consciousness of God's love. May you put God first in your life, not just as a phrase, "Oh yes, God first." May it become a reality. Remember what Jesus said to the church at Ephesus, "I have this against you, you've left your first love." There's a lack of that fervency. There's a coldness in your heart towards the things of God and His Spirit. There's been a drawing away after the flesh. Beginning to just get settled. Oh, may God cause you to remember from where you have fallen and to repent and to return to that first love and commitment and excitement of the things of the Lord. May the Lord draw you back to Himself in a full and complete surrender. In Jesus' name. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

D. The oracle against Ammon 49:1-6

The Ammonites lived north of the Moabites, north of the Arnon River for most of their history, and east of the tribal territories of Gad and Reuben. However, the Ammonites had taken over some Israelite territory in Transjordan, and their borders to the north and south also changed from time to time. Ammon extended north to the Jabbok River and east to the Arabian Desert. The Ammonites, like the Moabites, descended from Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and Israel’s relations with both nations were normally unfriendly. [Note: See Thompson, p. 715, for more history of the Ammonites. He also wrote good summary histories of the other people-groups mentioned in this chapter.]

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

The Ammonites, in their chief cities, would mourn over the destruction of their other towns. Heshbon was normally a Moabite city, but at certain periods the Ammonites occupied it. This "Ai" must have been an Ammonite town; it could not be the Ai near Bethel in Cisjordan. The enemy would take images of Malcam into captivity, along with the idol’s priests and the princes of the nation (cf. Jeremiah 46:25; Jeremiah 48:7). If we should translate "Malcam" in this verse, the meaning becomes: the enemy would take "their king" into captivity along with his priests and princes.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Howl, O Heshbon,.... Which was a city of Moab, though it formerly belonged to the Amorites; see Jeremiah 48:2; it was upon the border of Ammon, and near to Ai, now destroyed; and therefore is called upon to howl and lament, because its destruction also was near at hand, and might be expected; hence Kimchi gathers, that the Ammonites were destroyed before the Moabites: but some have thought that Heshbon was a double city, divided by a river, which ran through it; and that that city which was on one side of the river belonged to Moab, and that on the other side to Ammon:

for Ai is spoiled; not that which was near Jericho in the land of Canaan, but a city in the land of Ammon, thought to be the Gaia of Ptolemy; this seems to be the first city in the country of Ammon that Nebuchadnezzar would lay waste:

cry, ye daughters of Rabbah; the royal city before mentioned;

Jeremiah 48:2- :; either the inhabitants of it, particularly the women, especially the younger women, who would be in the utmost distress on hearing the enemy was so near them, and what had befallen Ai; or the villages about Rabbah, as Kimchi interprets it; that is, as the Targum,

"the inhabitants of the villages of Rabbah:''

gird ye with sackcloth; as a token of calamity and mourning for it, as was usual:

lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; which Jarchi, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, understand of the enclosures or fences of villages, like those of gardens, fields, and folds, in distinction from walls of cities, and fortified places; but rather it signifies the hedges in the fields, whither, being drove from their habitations, they would seek unto for shelter, and run about among them for safety, lamenting their unhappy case:

for their king shall go into captivity; be taken and carried captive; either their principal governor; or rather Milcom their god, since it follows:

[and] his priests and his princes together; both such as offered sacrifices to him, and attended on and supported his worship: the same is said of Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, Jeremiah 48:7.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      1 Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?   2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.   3 Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.   4 Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?   5 Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.   6 And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.

      The Ammonites were next, both in kindred and neighbourhood, to the Moabites, and therefore are next set to the bar. Their country joined to that of the two tribes and a half, on the other side Jordan, and was but a bad neighbour; however, being a neighbour, they shall have a share in these circular predictions. 1. An action is here brought, in God's name, against the Ammonites, for an illegal encroachment upon the rightful possessions of the tribe of Gad, that lay next them, Jeremiah 49:1; Jeremiah 49:1. A writ of enquiry is brought to discover what title they had to those territories, which, upon the carrying away of the Gileadites, by the king of Assyria (2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chronicles 5:26), were left almost dispeopled, at least unguarded, and an easy prey to the next invader. "What! Does it escheat ob defectum sanguinis--for what of an heir? Hath Israel no sons? Hath he no heir? Are there no Gadites left, to whom the right of inheritance belongs? Or, if there were not, are there no Israelites, none left of Judah, that are nearer akin to them than you are?" Why then does their king, as if he were entitled to the forfeited estates, or Milcom, their idol, as if he had the right to dispose of it to his worshippers, inherit Gad, and his people dwell in the cities which fell by lot to that tribe of God's people. Nay, there were sons and heirs of their own body, en ventre de sa mere--in their mother's womb, and the Ammonites, to prevent their claim, most barbarously murdered them (Amos 1:13): They ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border, that, having seized it, none might rise up hereafter to recover it from them. Thus they magnified themselves against their border and boasted it was their own, Zephaniah 2:8. Note, Though among men might often prevails against right, yet that might shall be controlled by the Almighty, who sits in the throne, judging right; and those will find themselves mistaken who think every thing their own which they can lay their hands on, or which none yet appears to lay claim to. As there is justice owing to owners, so also to their heirs, when they are dead, whom it is a great sin to defraud, though they either know not their right or know not how to come at it. This shall be reckoned for particularly, when injuries of this kind are done to God's people. 2. Judgment is here given against them for this violence. (1.) Terrors shall come upon them: God will cause an alarm of war to be heard, even in Rabbah, their capital city and a very strong one, Jeremiah 49:1; Jeremiah 49:1. The Lord God of hosts, who has all armies at his command, will bring a fear upon them from all that be about them,Jeremiah 49:5; Jeremiah 49:5. Note, God has many ways to terrify those who have been a terror to his people. (2.) Their cities shall be laid in ruins: Rabbah, the mother-city, shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters, the other cities that have a dependence upon her, and receive law from her as daughters, shall be burnt with fire; so that the inhabitants shall be forced to quit them, and they shall cry, and gird themselves with sackcloth, as having lost all they had, and not knowing whither to betake themselves. (3.) Their country, which they were so proud of, shall be wasted (Jeremiah 49:4; Jeremiah 49:4): Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, and trustest in thy treasures, O backsliding daughter? They are charged with backsliding or turning away from God and from his worship, for they were the posterity of righteous Lot. It is true, they had never been so in covenant with God as Israel was; yet all idolaters may be called backsliders, for the worship of the true God was prior to that of false gods. They were untoward and refractory (so some read it); and, when they had forsaken their God, they gloried in their valleys, particularly one that was called the flowing valley, because it flowed with all good things. These they had violently taken away from Israel, and gloried in it when they had done so. They gloried in the strength of their valleys, so surrounded with mountains that they were inaccessible, gloried in the products of them, gloried in the treasures they got together out of them, saying, Who shall come unto me? While they bathed themselves in the pleasures of their country, they flattered themselves with a conceit that they should never be disturbed in the enjoyment of them: To-morrow shall be as this day; therefore they set God and his judgments at defiance; they are proud, voluptuous, and secure; but wherefore dost thou do so: Note, Those who backslide and turn away from God have little reason either to take complacency or to put confidence in any worldly enjoyments whatsoever, Hosea 9:1. (4.) Their people, from the least to the greatest, shall be forced out of the country. Some shall flee to seek for shelter, others shall be carried into captivity, so that their land shall be quite evacuated: Their king and his princes, nay, and Milcom, their god, and his priests, shall go into captivity (Jeremiah 49:3; Jeremiah 49:3), and every man shall be driven out right forth, shall take the next way, and make the best of it in his flight (Jeremiah 49:5; Jeremiah 49:5), forgetting the valleys, the flowing valleys, which now fail them. And, to complete their misery, none shall gather up him that wanders, none shall open their doors to them, as Jael to Sisera, to entertain them; and those that flee shall be so much in care to secure themselves that they shall not take notice of others, no, not of those that are nearest to them, that wander, and are at a loss which way to go, as Jeremiah 47:3; Jeremiah 47:3. (5.) Then the country of the Ammonites shall fall into the hands of the remaining Israelites (Jeremiah 49:2; Jeremiah 49:2): Then shall Israel be heir to those that were his heirs, shall possess himself of their land who had possessed themselves of his, by way of reprisal. Note, The equity of divine Providence is to be acknowledged when the losses of the injured are recompensed out of the unjust gains of the injurious. Though the enemies of God's Israel may make a prey of them for a while, the tables will shortly be turned. 3. Yet there is a prospect given them of mercy hereafter (Jeremiah 49:6; Jeremiah 49:6), as before to Moab. The day will come when the captivity of the children of Ammon will be brought again; for so it is in human affairs: the wheel goes round.