Wed.’s Devo - To Moab, Ammon and Edom

Read: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12 God gave Jeremiah a word for Moab, Ammon and Edom. Moab and Ammon had been the descendants of Lot but Edom was the descendant of Esau, son of Isaac. Judgement was coming to all three because they worshiped idols and rebelled against the Lord but Moab and Ammon would survive and one day be restored. Edom would be destroyed forever and not be rebuilt. History has proven this to be totally true. *** The Moabites worshiped Chemosh the fish-god who was the destroyer and subduer. On the Moabite stone they gave credit to Chemosh for helping them defeat the Israelites. Solomon brought this god to Jerusalem but Josiah got rid of it during his reign. They had boasted against the Lord, so terror, traps and snares would be their lot. One day their fortunes would be restored. *** The Ammonites worshiped Molech which was the child sacrifice god. It had the head of a calf and body of a man. The infants were put in its fiery hands as a sacrifice. They had refused to let the Israelites pass through their land in the Exodus and had with the Moabites hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. They along with the Moabites were told that they could not enter into the Temple of the Lord up to the tenth generation (Ex. 23:4). *** Jeremiah said that the Ammonites trusted in their wealth and thought no one could ever harm them, but terror would come upon them and they would be chased from their land with no one to help their exiles as they fled. God would one day restore their fortunes. *** The Edomites had refused permission to the Israelites when they asked to pass through their land (Num 20:14-21) and always were hostile to Israel. They were conquered by David and Amaziah but they regained their independence later. They helped Nebuchadnezzar capture Jerusalem but fell under the power of the Chaldeans. Today they have totally disappeared and their language has been lost attesting to the power of God’s word through his prophets. *** Jeremiah said of the Edomites that they had been deceived by the fear they inspired in others and by their own pride. Though they were powerful and had great influence they would be brought down and destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah. *** In the New Testament, we read of Paul’s boldness. He told Timothy to preach the word of God whether the time was favorable or not. He was to correct, rebuke and encourage the people with right teaching. Because the time was coming when they wouldn’t want to hear sound teaching but teaching that made them feel good. They would reject truth and follow myths. Paul knew what he was talking about because he had experienced this false teacher in Alexander who fought against everything he said. Paul had stood alone in preaching the truth and God rescued him and delivered them from every evil attack. *** Paul told Timothy to work for the crown of righteousness that the Lord will give when he returns. *** Lord, may we not shrink back in fear in our day of testing. Thank you that you never leave or forsake us but you are our defense and strong tower.