Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Jeremiah 48

Moab is next set to the bar before Jeremiah the prophet, whom God has constituted judge over nations and kingdoms, from his mouth to receive its doom. Isaiah’s predictions concerning Moab had had their accomplishment (we had the predictions Isaiah 15:1-Isaiah 16:14 and the like Amos 2:1), and they were fulfilled when the Assyrians, under Salmanassar, invaded and distressed Moab. But this is a prophecy of the desolations of Moab by the Chaldeans, which were accomplished under Nebuzaradan, about five years after he had destroyed Jerusalem. Here is, I. The destruction foretold, that it should be great and general, should extend itself to all parts of the country (Jeremiah 48:1-48:6, 48:8, and again Jeremiah 48:21-48:25, 48:34), that spoilers should come upon them and force some to flee (Jeremiah 48:9), should carry many into captivity (Jeremiah 48:12, 48:46), that the enemy should come shortly (Jeremiah 48:16), come swiftly and surprise them (Jeremiah 48:40, 48:41), that he should make thorough work (Jeremiah 48:10) and lay the country quite waste, though it was very strong (Jeremiah 48:14, 48:15), that there should be no escaping (Jeremiah 48:42, 48:45), that this should force them to quit their idols (Jeremiah 48:13, 48:35) and put an end to all their joy (Jeremiah 48:33, 48:34), that their neighbours shall lament them (Jeremiah 48:17-48:19) and the prophet himself does (Jeremiah 48:31, 48:36). II. The causes of this destruction assigned; it was sin that brought this ruin upon them, their pride, and security, and carnal confidence (Jeremiah 48:7, 48:11, 48:14, 48:29), and their contempt of and enmity to God and his people, Jeremiah 48:26, 48:27, 48:30. III. A promise of the restoration of Moab, Jeremiah 48:47). MHBCC 794.1