Removing the Stuff we Trust in

Jeremiah 48:34-47

When the storms hit one area of a nation, we say those poor folks, and yet often we do not share in their pain.  That is what may be happening in Moab, as we go back and review verses 21-24, we see eleven towns being affected by the destroyer.  But now in verse 34, we observe seven more cities being affected, and one commentator had this observation; it seems to be moving from the north to the south.

I’m sure that the Moabite people were very complacent, it was a good life and it makes one wonder how would a complacent nation like the USA do if God allows the destroyer to remove the stuff they trust in?  The list is too long so let’s just use a short list with only two items, smartphones and computers.  Think about it, have you not become dependent on these two excellent tools?  How things have changed in my 74 years, as a youth and young adult I never gave thought to our phone, it was not mine it was our family phone, and we never lost it for it hung on a wall with a cord attached.  We would never have thought of talking to someone on the phone at the dinner table, that was the time the family talked unless mom was serving fried chicken and then all eyes were on who got the last piece.

Have we not allowed these two items to change our culture, and much of it has been helpful, but on the other side it has also done great harm, and I fear if removed many would not be able to go about their day.  Is that not a sign of worship?

It is God who is bringing the destroyer into the Moabite cities because of what they are placing their faith in, and we often joke about Google, but I’m fearful that many place more faith in Google than in our Creator God, and like Moab, God will not allow that action to continue.  Moab became that broken jar, it had no value, and so it had no one desiring it, can you grasp your nation becoming a Moabite nation?

As we look into verse 40, we see the eagle spreading its wings against Moab, and the eagle stands for Egypt.  Scripture tells us the warriors of Moab were becoming like women in childbirth, weak, dependent, and with significant pain.  And verse 42 gives us the reason why God has allowed this destruction; “Moab shall be destroyed and be no longer a people because he magnified himself against the Lord.”

Have you given thought to how your sins and the sins of your nation affect the heart of God?  Shall we go back to verses 35-36, to get a snapshot of how our sins affect God?  “In Moab, I will stop”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“the one who offers sacrifices on the high place and burns incense to his gods. Therefore, My heart moans like flutes for Moab, and My heart moans like flutes for the people of Kir-heres. And therefore, the wealth he has gained has perished.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice