Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs; he has not been poured from vessel to vessel or gone into exile. So his flavor has remained the same, and his aroma is unchanged. “Moab has been at ease from his youth”The phrase "Moab has been at ease from his youth" suggests a long period of complacency and comfort. The Hebrew word for "at ease" is "sha'an," which implies a sense of security and rest. Historically, Moab, a nation descended from Lot, had experienced relative peace and prosperity, avoiding the turmoil that often afflicted neighboring nations. This ease led to a false sense of security, a spiritual and moral complacency that is often warned against in Scripture. The phrase "from his youth" indicates that this state of ease has been longstanding, suggesting that Moab has not faced significant challenges or upheavals that might have prompted spiritual growth or dependence on God. “settled like wine on its dregs”
The imagery of wine settling on its dregs is a powerful metaphor. In ancient winemaking, wine left undisturbed would settle on its lees or dregs, the sediment that forms during fermentation. This process, if left unchecked, could lead to a wine that is overly sweet or spoiled. The Hebrew word "shaqat" means to be quiet or undisturbed, further emphasizing Moab's undisturbed state. Spiritually, this suggests a stagnation, a lack of refinement or purification that comes from being "stirred" or challenged. The Bible often uses the process of refining or purifying as a metaphor for spiritual growth, which Moab has evidently missed. “He has not been poured from vessel to vessel”
The process of pouring wine from vessel to vessel was a method used to refine and improve the wine, removing impurities and enhancing its flavor. The lack of this process in Moab's experience symbolizes a lack of trials or divine intervention that might have refined the nation. The Hebrew word "raqaq" means to be poured out, indicating a process of change or transformation. In a spiritual sense, this lack of "pouring" suggests that Moab has not undergone the necessary trials or divine discipline that lead to spiritual maturity and dependence on God. “nor has he gone into exile”
Exile is often used in the Bible as a form of divine judgment and a means of purification. The Hebrew word "galah" means to uncover or remove, often used in the context of being taken captive or exiled. Moab's lack of exile indicates that they have not experienced the humbling and refining process that comes with being removed from one's comfort zone. Exile, while painful, often leads to a deeper reliance on God and a purging of idolatry and sin. Moab's avoidance of exile suggests a missed opportunity for spiritual growth and repentance. “So his flavor has remained unchanged, and his aroma is unaltered.”
The unchanged flavor and aroma of Moab symbolize a lack of spiritual transformation. In the context of wine, flavor and aroma are indicators of quality and refinement. The Hebrew word "ta'am" refers to taste or discernment, while "reyach" refers to smell or aroma. Spiritually, this suggests that Moab has not developed discernment or spiritual depth. The unchanged state implies a resistance to God's refining work, resulting in a nation that remains spiritually immature and complacent. This serves as a warning to believers about the dangers of spiritual stagnation and the importance of embracing God's refining work in our lives. Persons / Places / Events 1. MoabAn ancient nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is depicted as complacent and unchallenged, leading to its spiritual stagnation. 2. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages to the nations, including Moab. He warned of impending judgment due to their complacency and idolatry. 3. Wine on its dregsA metaphor used to describe Moab's complacency. In winemaking, wine left on its dregs becomes stagnant and loses quality, symbolizing Moab's unchanged state. 4. ExileA significant event in biblical history where nations, including Israel, were taken captive. Moab's lack of exile is highlighted as a reason for its unchanged state. 5. JudgmentThe event prophesied by Jeremiah, where Moab would face consequences for its complacency and idolatry. Teaching Points Complacency Leads to StagnationJust as Moab was "settled like wine on its dregs," spiritual complacency can lead to stagnation in our faith. We must actively seek growth and renewal. The Danger of Unchanged LivesMoab's unchanged aroma symbolizes a life untouched by God's transformative power. Believers are called to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. The Necessity of TrialsMoab's lack of exile contributed to its complacency. Trials and challenges can be God's tools for refining and strengthening our faith. God's Call to RepentanceThe prophecy against Moab serves as a reminder of God's call to repentance. We must be vigilant in examining our lives and turning away from sin. The Importance of Spiritual VigilanceLike Moab, we can become too comfortable in our spiritual walk. Regular self-examination and accountability are crucial to maintaining a vibrant faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the metaphor of "wine on its dregs" help us understand the spiritual state of Moab, and how can this apply to our own spiritual lives? 2. In what ways can complacency manifest in a believer's life, and what steps can we take to guard against it? 3. How do trials and challenges contribute to spiritual growth, and how can we embrace them as opportunities for refinement? 4. What are some practical ways we can ensure our lives are being transformed by God's power, rather than remaining unchanged like Moab? 5. How can we cultivate a spirit of repentance and vigilance in our daily walk with God, avoiding the pitfalls of spiritual stagnation? Connections to Other Scriptures Zephaniah 1:12This verse also uses the imagery of wine on its dregs to describe complacency and spiritual stagnation, emphasizing God's judgment on those who are complacent. Isaiah 16:6-7These verses speak of Moab's pride and impending judgment, reinforcing the themes of complacency and divine retribution. Revelation 3:15-16The message to the church in Laodicea about being lukewarm parallels Moab's complacency, warning against spiritual stagnation. People Chemosh, Gamul, Jeremiah, Sihon, ZoarPlaces 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, ZoarTopics Aroma, Captivity, Changed, Dregs, Ease, Emptied, Exile, Jar, Lees, Moab, Poured, Remains, Rest, Scent, Settled, Taste, Tastes, Unchanged, Vessel, Wine, YouthDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 48:11 4544 wine 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 Links Jeremiah 48:11 NIVJeremiah 48:11 NLTJeremiah 48:11 ESVJeremiah 48:11 NASBJeremiah 48:11 KJV
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