◄ Jeremiah 48:26 ►
"Make him drunk, because he has magnified himself against the LORD; so Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.
Study Bible
Make him drunk
The phrase "Make him drunk" in Jeremiah 48:26 is a metaphorical expression used to describe the impending judgment and disorientation that Moab will experience. In the Hebrew context, drunkenness often symbolizes a state of confusion and vulnerability. The imagery of drunkenness is used throughout the Bible to depict divine judgment, where God allows a nation to stagger and fall due to its pride and sin. This reflects the broader biblical theme that pride precedes a fall, as seen in Proverbs 16:18.

because he has magnified himself against the LORD
This phrase highlights the root cause of Moab's impending judgment: pride and arrogance against God. The Hebrew word for "magnified" (גָּדַל, gadal) implies an act of self-exaltation or boasting. Historically, Moab was a nation that often opposed Israel and, by extension, the God of Israel. This opposition is seen as an affront to God's sovereignty. The Bible consistently teaches that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6), and Moab's self-exaltation is a direct challenge to divine authority.

so Moab will wallow in his own vomit
The vivid imagery of Moab wallowing in its own vomit serves as a graphic depiction of the nation's humiliation and disgrace. In the ancient Near Eastern context, vomit symbolizes the result of excessive indulgence and the subsequent shame. This phrase underscores the consequences of Moab's pride and rebellion against God. The use of such stark imagery is intended to convey the severity of divine judgment and the complete reversal of Moab's fortunes.

and he will also become a laughingstock
Becoming a "laughingstock" indicates the total loss of respect and honor. In biblical times, honor and shame were pivotal social values, and to be ridiculed was one of the greatest disgraces a person or nation could endure. This phrase suggests that Moab, once proud and self-assured, will be mocked by other nations. The Bible often uses the concept of becoming a laughingstock to illustrate the downfall of those who oppose God, reinforcing the idea that human pride is ultimately futile against divine will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah is known for his prophecies concerning the judgment of God upon the nations, including Moab.

2. Moab
An ancient nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is depicted as prideful and rebellious against God in this passage.

3. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the central figure in the judgment against Moab for their pride and idolatry.

4. Drunkenness
Used metaphorically here to describe Moab's impending judgment and humiliation due to their arrogance against God.

5. Prophecy of Judgment
This event is part of a larger prophecy where God, through Jeremiah, pronounces judgment on Moab for their pride and self-exaltation.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride
Pride leads to downfall and judgment. Moab's self-exaltation against God serves as a warning to individuals and nations alike.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is sovereign and just in His judgments. He will not tolerate rebellion and pride against His authority.

The Consequences of Sin
Sin, particularly pride, has tangible consequences. Moab's humiliation is a vivid picture of the result of sin.

Humility Before God
Believers are called to humility, recognizing their dependence on God and avoiding the pitfalls of pride.

Repentance and Restoration
While judgment is pronounced, there is always an opportunity for repentance and restoration with God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the metaphor of drunkenness in Jeremiah 48:26 illustrate the consequences of pride?

2. In what ways can we see the theme of pride leading to downfall in other parts of the Bible, and how does this apply to our lives today?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty in judgment affect our view of current world events and personal challenges?

4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate humility and avoid the pitfalls of pride in our daily lives?

5. How can the account of Moab's judgment encourage us to seek repentance and restoration with God when we recognize pride in our own hearts?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 16
This chapter also contains prophecies against Moab, highlighting their pride and the resulting judgment.

Proverbs 16:18
This verse speaks to the theme of pride leading to destruction, which is relevant to Moab's situation.

Obadiah 1:3-4
These verses discuss the pride of Edom, another nation judged for its arrogance, drawing a parallel to Moab's fate.

James 4:6
This New Testament verse emphasizes that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, reinforcing the lesson from Moab's judgment.
Sermons
Moab Exulting Over Fallen IsraelD. Young Jeremiah 48:26, 27
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
Able, Arrogant, Declare, Defied, Derision, Drunk, Drunken, Full, Heart, Held, Laughingstock, Lifted, Magnified, Making, Moab, Object, Ridicule, Rolling, Sport, Stricken, Vomit, Wallow, Wine
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 48:26

     5602   vomit
     5829   defiance

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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