◄ Jeremiah 48:35 ►
In Moab, declares the LORD, I will bring an end to those who make offerings on the high places and burn incense to their gods.
Study Bible
In Moab, declares the LORD
Moab was a nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, which is significant in understanding their complex relationship with Israel. The phrase "declares the LORD" emphasizes the authority and certainty of the prophecy, indicating that the message is directly from God. This divine declaration underscores the seriousness of the judgment pronounced against Moab.

I will bring an end to those who make offerings on the high places
High places were elevated sites used for worship, often associated with pagan rituals. In ancient Near Eastern culture, these sites were considered closer to the gods and were used for sacrifices and offerings. The practice of worshiping on high places was condemned in Israelite religion, as it often involved idolatry and syncretism. The ending of these practices in Moab signifies God's judgment against idolatry and false worship, aligning with similar judgments against Israel and Judah for their own use of high places (e.g., 2 Kings 23:5).

and burn incense to their gods.
Burning incense was a common religious practice in the ancient world, symbolizing prayers and offerings to deities. In Moab, this practice was directed towards their gods, which were often in opposition to the worship of Yahweh. The condemnation of incense burning highlights the exclusivity of worship that God demands, as seen in the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of God’s judgment against idolatry, as seen in other prophetic books like Isaiah and Ezekiel. The cessation of incense burning signifies the end of Moab's idolatrous practices and the assertion of God's sovereignty over all nations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moab
An ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew.

2. High Places
Elevated sites where people worshiped and offered sacrifices, often associated with pagan rituals and idolatry.

3. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is declaring judgment against Moab for their idolatry.

4. Sacrifices and Incense
Acts of worship directed towards false gods, which were common in Moabite religious practices.

5. Jeremiah
The prophet through whom God delivers this message of judgment against Moab.
Teaching Points
God's Judgment on Idolatry
God is serious about idolatry and will not tolerate the worship of false gods. This serves as a warning to remain faithful to Him.

The Danger of High Places
High places symbolize the elevation of anything above God in our lives. We must identify and remove these "high places" from our hearts.

The Call to Exclusive Worship
Just as God called Israel to exclusive worship, Christians are called to worship God alone, avoiding modern forms of idolatry.

The Consequences of Pride
Moab's downfall is partly due to their pride. Humility before God is essential for His favor and protection.

The Role of Prophets
Jeremiah's role as a prophet reminds us of the importance of listening to God's messengers and heeding His warnings.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern "high places" that can distract us from worshiping God exclusively?

2. How does the judgment against Moab reflect God's character and His view on idolatry?

3. In what ways can pride lead to spiritual downfall, as seen in the example of Moab?

4. How can we apply the lessons from Jeremiah 48:35 to ensure our worship remains pure and focused on God?

5. What other biblical examples illustrate the consequences of idolatry, and how can they inform our spiritual walk today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 12:2-3
God commands Israel to destroy the high places of the nations they conquer, highlighting His disdain for idolatry.

Isaiah 16:6-14
Another prophecy against Moab, emphasizing their pride and the coming judgment.

1 Kings 11:7
Solomon's building of high places for foreign gods, illustrating the temptation and danger of idolatry even for Israel.

Psalm 115:4-8
A description of the futility of idol worship, contrasting the living God with lifeless idols.

Romans 1:21-23
Paul speaks of humanity's tendency to exchange the glory of God for images, a New Testament reflection on idolatry.
Sermons
Concerning PrideS. Conway
People
Chemosh, Gamul, Jeremiah, Sihon, Zoar
Places
Arnon, Aroer, Beth-diblathaim, Bethel, Beth-gamul, Beth-meon, Bozrah, Dibon, Elealeh, Heshbon, Holon, Horonaim, Jahaz, Jahzah, Jazer, Kerioth, Kir-hareseth, Kiriathaim, Luhith, Madmen, Mephaath, Moab, Nebo, Nimrim, Sea of Jazer, Sibmah, Zoar
Topics
Affirmation, Bring, Burn, Burneth, Burning, Burns, Cause, Caused, Cease, Declares, Gods, Incense, Making, Moab, Moreover, Offereth, Offering, Offerings, Offers, Perfume, Perfumes, Places, Sacrifice, Says
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 48:35

     7386   incense
     7442   shrine

Jeremiah 48:31-36

     1135   God, suffering of

Library
August 8. "Be Like the Dove" (Jer. Xlviii. 28).
"Be like the dove" (Jer. xlviii. 28). Harmless as a dove, is Christ's interpretation of the beautiful emblem. And so the Spirit of God is purity itself. He cannot dwell in an unclean heart. He cannot abide in the natural mind. It was said of the anointing of old, "On man's flesh it shall not be poured." The purity which the Holy Spirit brings is like the white and spotless little plant which grows up out of the heap of manure, or the black soil, without one grain of impurity adhering to its crystalline …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Meditations for the Sick.
Whilst thy sickness remains, use often, for thy comfort, these few meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his children. Those are ten. 1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who suffers his tender babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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