Therefore My heart laments like a flute for Moab; it laments like a flute for the men of Kir-heres, because the wealth they acquired has perished. Therefore My heart lamentsThe phrase "My heart laments" reveals the deep emotional response of God towards Moab. The Hebrew word for "laments" is "הָמָה" (hamah), which conveys a sense of moaning or mourning. This is not a detached judgment but a heartfelt sorrow, indicating God's compassion even in the midst of judgment. It reflects the divine nature that grieves over the necessity of punishment, emphasizing that God's justice is always intertwined with His mercy. like a flute
The comparison to a "flute" (Hebrew: "חָלִיל" - chalil) is significant. The flute, an ancient wind instrument, was often used in mourning rituals and funerals in the Near Eastern culture. Its sound is haunting and melancholic, symbolizing deep sorrow. This imagery suggests that the lament is not just a personal grief but a communal expression of loss, resonating with the cultural practices of the time. for Moab
Moab was a nation east of Israel, often in conflict with the Israelites. Historically, Moab was known for its pride and idolatry, which led to its downfall. The lament for Moab indicates God's sorrow over the nation's impending destruction due to its sins. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the inevitable judgment that follows persistent rebellion. it laments like a flute for the men of Kir-heres
Kir-heres, also known as Kir-hareseth, was a significant city in Moab. The repetition of the lament "like a flute" for the men of Kir-heres underscores the depth of the tragedy. Kir-heres was a fortified city, symbolizing strength and security. Its mention highlights the totality of Moab's downfall, as even its strongholds could not withstand the judgment of God. This serves as a warning that no earthly power can protect against divine justice. because the wealth they acquired has perished
The phrase "the wealth they acquired has perished" points to the futility of relying on material riches. The Hebrew word for "wealth" is "יָגֵעַ" (yaga), which can also mean labor or toil. This suggests that the wealth was hard-earned, yet it ultimately proved transient. The perishing of wealth is a common biblical theme, reminding believers that earthly treasures are temporary and that true security is found in God alone. This serves as a call to prioritize spiritual riches over material gain, aligning with Jesus' teaching in the New Testament about storing treasures in heaven. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah and surrounding nations, including Moab. He is known for his lamentations and warnings of impending judgment. 2. MoabA nation east of Israel, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is the subject of God's judgment in this passage due to their pride and idolatry. 3. Kir-heresA significant city in Moab, known for its strong fortifications. It is specifically mentioned as a place of lamentation due to the loss of wealth and prosperity. 4. FluteA musical instrument used here metaphorically to express deep sorrow and lamentation. The sound of the flute is associated with mourning. 5. WealthRepresents the material prosperity of Moab, which is now lost due to God's judgment. It serves as a symbol of the transient nature of earthly riches. Teaching Points The Transience of Earthly WealthEarthly riches are temporary and can be lost in an instant. Our focus should be on storing up treasures in heaven, where they are eternal. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod is just and sovereign in His judgments. Nations and individuals are accountable to Him, and His judgments are righteous. The Heart of God in LamentGod’s lamentation over Moab shows His compassion even in judgment. He does not delight in the downfall of nations but desires repentance and restoration. The Call to HumilityMoab's downfall was due to pride. We are called to live humbly before God, recognizing our dependence on Him for all things. The Role of ProphetsProphets like Jeremiah serve as God's messengers, calling people to repentance and warning of consequences. We should heed the warnings and teachings found in Scripture. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the flute in Jeremiah 48:36 enhance our understanding of God's lament for Moab? 2. In what ways can the downfall of Moab serve as a warning for us today regarding the pursuit of wealth and material success? 3. How does the judgment of Moab reflect God's character and His expectations for nations and individuals? 4. What lessons can we learn from the role of prophets like Jeremiah in communicating God's messages to His people? 5. How can we apply the principle of storing up treasures in heaven, as taught by Jesus, in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 15-16These chapters also contain prophecies against Moab, highlighting similar themes of lamentation and judgment. Ezekiel 25:8-11This passage speaks of God's judgment against Moab, reinforcing the message of divine retribution for their actions. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about the impermanence of earthly treasures, which aligns with the loss of wealth in Moab as described in Jeremiah 48:36. 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 Abundance, Acquired, Flute, Flutes, Gained, Got, Gotten, Hareseth, Heart, Heres, Kir, Kirheres, Kir-heres, Kir-he'res, Laments, Lost, Moab, Moaneth, Moans, Perish, Perished, Pipes, Produced, Riches, Soundeth, Sounding, Sounds, Wails, WealthDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 48:36 5314 flute
5420 music
5899 lament
8809 riches Jeremiah 48:31-36 1135 God, suffering of Jeremiah 48:36-37 5180 shaving 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 48:36 NIVJeremiah 48:36 NLTJeremiah 48:36 ESVJeremiah 48:36 NASBJeremiah 48:36 KJV
Jeremiah 48:36 Commentaries
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