◄ Jeremiah 48:44 ►
"Whoever flees the panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishment," declares the LORD.
Study Bible
Whoever flees the panic will fall into the pit
This phrase illustrates the inescapability of divine judgment. The imagery of fleeing panic only to fall into a pit suggests that human efforts to escape God's decrees are futile. In the context of Jeremiah 48, Moab is facing judgment for its pride and idolatry. The pit symbolizes a trap or a place of destruction, reminiscent of the consequences of sin as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 7:15, where the wicked fall into the pit they have made.

and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare
The progression from pit to snare emphasizes the certainty and completeness of God's judgment. Even if one escapes one form of calamity, another awaits. This reflects the comprehensive nature of divine justice, as seen in Amos 5:19, where fleeing from a lion leads to encountering a bear. The snare is a common biblical metaphor for unexpected capture or entrapment, often used to describe the fate of those who oppose God.

For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishment
This statement underscores the sovereignty of God in executing judgment. The "year of their punishment" indicates a specific, divinely appointed time for Moab's reckoning. Historically, Moab was a nation east of Israel, often in conflict with God's people. The prophecy against Moab is part of a larger narrative of judgment against the nations surrounding Israel, as seen in Isaiah 15-16 and Ezekiel 25:8-11. This reflects the biblical theme that God holds all nations accountable, not just Israel.

declares the LORD
The phrase "declares the LORD" affirms the authority and certainty of the prophecy. It is a common prophetic formula that emphasizes the message's divine origin. This declaration assures the reader that the words are not merely human predictions but are spoken by God Himself, ensuring their fulfillment. This is consistent with the prophetic tradition throughout the Old Testament, where God's declarations are irrevocable and certain, as seen in Isaiah 55:11.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moab
An ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is the subject of God's judgment in this passage.

2. Jeremiah
A prophet of God who delivered messages of warning and judgment to the nations, including Moab.

3. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who declares judgment upon Moab for their sins.

4. The Year of Punishment
A specific time decreed by God for executing judgment on Moab for their rebellion and idolatry.
Teaching Points
The Inescapability of Divine Judgment
God's judgment is thorough and unavoidable. Just as Moab could not escape, neither can anyone escape the consequences of sin without repentance.

The Sovereignty of God
The LORD declares the timing and execution of judgment, demonstrating His ultimate authority over nations and history.

The Call to Repentance
While judgment is certain, God's warnings through prophets like Jeremiah are also calls to repentance. We must heed these warnings in our own lives.

The Consequences of Idolatry and Pride
Moab's downfall was due to their idolatry and pride. We must guard against these sins, recognizing their destructive power.

Trust in God's Justice
In a world where injustice often seems to prevail, we can trust that God will ultimately bring about justice in His perfect timing.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the imagery of fleeing panic, falling into a pit, and being caught in a snare teach us about the nature of God's judgment?

2. How does the judgment of Moab serve as a warning for us today regarding the consequences of sin and rebellion against God?

3. In what ways can we see the sovereignty of God at work in the world today, similar to His declaration over Moab?

4. How can we apply the lessons of Moab's idolatry and pride to our personal lives and communities?

5. What other biblical examples can you find where God's justice is ultimately fulfilled, and how do they encourage you to trust in His justice?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Amos 2:1-3
This passage also speaks of God's judgment on Moab, highlighting their transgressions and the certainty of divine retribution.

Isaiah 24:17-18
Similar imagery of fleeing from terror only to fall into a pit or snare, emphasizing the inescapability of God's judgment.

Psalm 9:15-16
Describes the wicked being ensnared by their own actions, reinforcing the theme of inevitable divine justice.
Sermons
No Ultimate EscapeD. Young Jeremiah 48:43, 44
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, Captured, Caught, Climbs, Death, Declares, Fall, Falleth, Fear, Fleeing, Flees, Fleeth, Flight, Free, Gets, Getteth, Gin, Goes, Inspection, Moab, Net, Overtaken, Pit, Punishment, Says, Snare, Terror, Trap, Visitation
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 48:44

     4978   year

Jeremiah 48:43-44

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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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