Saturday August 1, 2015

Read Jeremiah 49:7-39

 As we continue through the word of judgement against the nations, we finish chapter 49. In the rest of chapter 49 Edom, Damascus, the kingdoms of Kedar and Hazor and Elam all face judgment.

Edom in Hebrew means ‘red’ and is a referral to the stew for which Jacob’s brother Esau was willing to sell his birthright. See Genesis 25:30. In Genesis 36 we see the genealogy of Esau and how his family tree descended from him.

As we’ve seen several times already, the relationship with God’s chosen people goes right back to the Exodus. At that time, Israel sought permission to travel by the King’s Highway, but the request was refused (Nu. 20:14–21; 21:4; Jdg. 11:17–18). Notwithstanding this discourtesy, Israel was forbidden to ill-treat his Edomite brother (Deut. 23:7–8). In those days Balaam predicted the conquest of Edom (Nu. 24:18). Assyrian inscriptions show that Edom became a vassal-state of Assyria after 736 BC. After the fall of Judah, Edom rejoiced (Ps. 137:7). The prophets foretold judgment on Edom for her bitter hatred (Jer 49:7–22; Lam 4:21–22; Ezek. 25:12–14; 35:15; Joel 3:19; Am 9:12; Ob 10ff.).

Damascus was the capital city of Syria in the fertile plain, about 260 km north east of Jerusalem. The beauty and importance of the land is attested to by Namaan the Syrian who refused to wash in the Jordan river, as per Elisha’s instructions, because it was poor compared to the rivers that watered Damascus. See 2 Kings 5.

The first biblical mention of Damascus (Gen 14:15) refers to the city in connection with Abraham’s successful attack upon the confederation of kings who kidnapped Lot and his family. The Bible does not refer to the city again until the time of David (c. 1000 BC). David captured and garrisoned Damascus after his defeat of the troops it had contributed in support of Hadadezer of Zobah (2 Sam 8:5f, 1 Ch. 18:5). Rezon of Zobah, who escaped from this battle, later entered the city which was made the capital of a newly formed city-state of Aram. See 1 Kings 11:24.

The Kingdom of Kedar originates from Abraham’s other son Ishmael. They were not initially believers in Yahweh but are included in Isaiah’s prophecy of the future Kingdom of God (See Isa 42:11; 60:7). Their desert environment limited their work to sheep herding and trading. Because of unpredictable water supplies in the desert, they were relatively nomadic.

Kedar is twice mentioned in Isaiah’s prophecy against Arabia. See Isa 21:13–17.  Along with Arabia, Dedan, and Tema, they are threatened with destruction. The pomp attributed to them in verse 16 indicates some degree of affluence (see also Ezek 27:21), and the militaristic tone of vs 17 suggests that they were a warring people.

Little is known of the history of the Elamites. They are mentioned as Shem’s offspring (Gen 10:22) and in Acts 2:9  the Elamites were among those who heard Peter’s preaching. In Isaiah 11:11 the captive Jews would return from places such as Elam. In Jeremiah 49:38 God says He will set His throne in Elam and thus bring judgment upon them.

As we come to the end of the judgement against the nations (Babylon will be judged in chapter 52) we are left with the question, What will God do? How will He bring that hope to the nations that glimmered lightly in several of the passages we studied this week?

Prayer:

Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for

Adoration:

Confession

Thanks

Supplication:

· Pray that God’s salvation would visit the people of the many nations of Australasia.

· Pray that God would raise up messengers to take the messengers of salvation to them.

 Discussion Questions

1. How often do you pray for the nations of the world?

2. How often does your church pray for the nations of the world?

3. Should we concern ourselves with these things? Explain why or why not!