◄ Jeremiah 48:10 ►
Cursed is the one who is remiss in doing the work of the LORD, and cursed is he who withholds his sword from bloodshed.
Study Bible
Cursed is the one
The word "cursed" in Hebrew is "אָרוּר" (arur), which signifies being under a divine curse or ban. In the biblical context, a curse is a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. This phrase sets a serious tone, indicating the gravity of the offense being addressed. It reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where blessings and curses are contingent upon obedience and disobedience, respectively (Deuteronomy 28).

who is negligent
The Hebrew root for "negligent" is "רָמָה" (ramah), which can mean to be slack, idle, or deceitful. This word implies a failure to fulfill one's duties with diligence and integrity. In the context of serving God, negligence is not merely a lack of action but a betrayal of trust and responsibility. The call to diligence in the work of the LORD is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of wholehearted service (Colossians 3:23).

in doing the work of the LORD
The "work of the LORD" refers to the tasks and missions God assigns to His people. In Jeremiah's context, this could involve prophetic duties, priestly functions, or even military actions as directed by God. The phrase underscores the sacred nature of these tasks, as they are not merely human endeavors but divine mandates. The work of the LORD requires faithfulness and commitment, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Nehemiah and Paul, who labored tirelessly for God's purposes.

and cursed is the one
The repetition of "cursed is the one" reinforces the seriousness of the warning. It serves as a literary device to emphasize the consequences of disobedience. In Hebrew literature, repetition is often used to highlight key points and ensure the message is not overlooked. This dual curse underscores the dual nature of the offense: negligence in duty and failure to execute justice.

who withholds his sword from bloodshed
The phrase "withholds his sword from bloodshed" can be understood in the context of divine justice and warfare. In ancient Israel, God sometimes commanded His people to engage in warfare as an instrument of His judgment against nations that had reached the fullness of their iniquity (Genesis 15:16). The sword symbolizes the execution of justice and the fulfillment of God's righteous decrees. To withhold the sword is to fail in carrying out God's judgment, akin to sparing the guilty and allowing injustice to prevail. This phrase challenges believers to consider the balance between mercy and justice, recognizing that there are times when God calls for decisive action in accordance with His will.

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

2. Moab
A nation east of Israel, often in conflict with the Israelites. Jeremiah 48 is a prophecy against Moab, pronouncing judgment for their pride and idolatry.

3. The LORD's Work
Refers to the tasks and commands given by God, which in this context involves executing judgment against Moab.

4. Sword
Symbolizes the instrument of God's judgment. In this context, it represents the execution of divine justice.

5. Cursed
A pronouncement of divine disfavor or judgment upon those who fail to carry out God's commands faithfully.
Teaching Points
Faithful Obedience
God requires complete and sincere obedience to His commands. Half-hearted or deceitful service is unacceptable and brings a curse.

Divine Justice
God's justice is a serious matter, and His instruments (like the sword) must be used as He directs. We must not shy away from difficult tasks He assigns.

Integrity in Service
Serving God with integrity means not only doing what is right but doing it with the right heart and motives.

Consequences of Disobedience
There are serious consequences for failing to carry out God's commands fully. This serves as a warning to examine our own obedience.

Spiritual Warfare
The imagery of the sword reminds us of the spiritual battles we face. We must be prepared to engage fully in the spiritual work God calls us to.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the context of Jeremiah 48:10 help us understand the seriousness of doing God's work deceitfully?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not withholding our "sword" in the spiritual battles we face today?

3. Reflect on a time when you may have done the work of the Lord half-heartedly. What steps can you take to serve with greater integrity?

4. How does the account of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 illustrate the consequences of incomplete obedience to God?

5. How can we apply the principle of James 4:17 to ensure we are fully obedient to God's commands in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 15
The account of King Saul's incomplete obedience in destroying the Amalekites, which led to his rejection as king. This highlights the importance of complete obedience to God's commands.

Revelation 3:15-16
The message to the church in Laodicea about being lukewarm, which parallels the idea of doing God's work deceitfully or half-heartedly.

James 4:17
The principle that knowing the right thing to do and failing to do it is sin, which aligns with the warning against withholding the sword from bloodshed.
Sermons
Cursed LazinessJoseph Muir.Jeremiah 48:10
Doing the Work of Jehovah DeceitfullyD. Young Jeremiah 48:10
Doing the Work of the Lord DeceitfullyS. Conway Jeremiah 48:10
Half-And-Half ReligionJeremiah 48:10
Of Lukewarmness and ZealBp. Jeremy Taylor.Jeremiah 48:10
The Sin of Lukewarmness in AcquiringG. Mathew, M. A.Jeremiah 48:10
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
Blood, Bloodshed, Curse, Cursed, Deceitfully, Half-heartedly, Keepeth, Keeps, Lax, Lord's, Negligently, Restrains, Slack, Slackness, Slothfully, Sword, Withholding
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 48:10

     5802   care
     5885   indifference

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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