Jeremiah

Jeremiah 48: The LORD brings the proud low

Begin in prayer

Before we read how Moab trusted in its works and treasures, and how the LORD brings the proud low, let us come before Him in prayer. Ask Him to show us any pride in our hearts, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, who is gentle and humble in heart.

He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach the humble his way.

Psalms 25:9

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that pride trusts in itself and in its treasures, and that You bring the proud low. Show us Jesus, who humbled Himself, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Moab lay east of the Dead Sea, and the LORD names its towns one by one (verses 1 and 2). The cries of ruin rise from Horonaim and Luhith, and the people flee like a juniper bush in the wilderness (verses 3 to 6). Moab trusted in its works and treasures, and its god Chemosh will go into captivity with its priests and princes (verses 7 and 13). Moab had been at ease since its youth, like wine left on its dregs and never poured from one jar into another (verse 11). The LORD says the jars will be emptied and broken, because Moab magnified itself against Him (verses 12 and 26). Its cities will fall, and its sons and daughters will be taken into captivity (verses 41 and 46). Yet the LORD says He will wail for Moab, and He promises to bring back its captivity in the latter days (verses 31 and 47).

As you read Jeremiah 48, look for the answers:

• What do the people of Moab trust in, according to the LORD? (verse 7)
• What does the LORD compare Moab’s long ease to, and why? (verse 11)
• How does the LORD feel about Moab, and what does He promise at the end? (verses 31 and 47)

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD brings the proud low, and their works and treasures cannot save them.

Moab lived east of the Dead Sea, and the LORD names its towns one by one (verses 1 and 18 to 24). Chemosh was the god of Moab, and the LORD says even Chemosh will go into captivity (verses 7 and 13). Wine left on its dregs keeps its taste, because it is never poured from one jar into another (verse 11). Trusting in our own works and treasures is pride, because it puts ourselves in the place where only God should stand (verse 7). Shaved heads and sackcloth were signs of deep grief in that land, so the LORD describes Moab’s mourning plainly (verse 37). The LORD says He will wail for Moab, and that His heart sounds for them like mournful pipes (verses 31 and 36). Yet the LORD promises to bring back Moab’s captivity in the latter days, so judgment is not the final word (verse 47). Jesus is the humble King who gave His life for sinners.

How does Jeremiah 48 show us that the LORD brings the proud low, and that their works and treasures cannot save them?

Pride trusts in its own works and treasures.

Moab trusted in its works and treasures, and the LORD says these will not keep it safe (verse 7). Its pride made it exalt itself against the LORD (verses 26 and 29). Jesus came in humility.

The LORD brings the proud low.

The LORD names the towns of Moab one by one, and He brings each one down (verses 1, 18 and 24). No cliff or hiding place can keep the proud safe from Him (verses 28 and 41). Jesus humbled Himself to the cross, and God raised Him up, so come to Him.

The LORD grieves over the proud people He judges.

The LORD says He will wail for Moab, and that His heart sounds for them like pipes (verses 31 and 36). His grief is real, and His judgment is never careless. Jesus is the gentle Savior who comes to the humble and calls the proud to come home.

Memorize

For, because you have trusted in your works and in your treasures, you also shall be taken.

Jeremiah 48:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I trust to keep me safe, instead of Jesus?

Moab trusted in its works and its treasures, and it had been at ease since its youth (verses 7 and 11). The LORD says that trust cannot save, and that He brings the proud low (verse 26). Pride always looks for safety in what we have made or own.

Jesus is the humble King, and He went down to the cross for His people. There He bore the judgment that proud sinners deserved, and on the third day He rose again. His death is enough for every sinner who comes to Him. Jesus welcomes sinners. Please turn from your pride and trust Him, since He makes clean every sinner who comes to Him.

The LORD grieves over Moab, and yet He promises to bring back its captivity in the latter days (verses 31 and 47). So come to Jesus today with empty hands and a humble heart. He is the One who receives all who come to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD brings the proud low, and that our works and treasures cannot save us. Parents, you may want to explain that Moab trusted in its works and treasures, and that the LORD grieves over the judgment. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble, and bring the heart question to Him. Each child may pray in their own words.

Yahweh upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.

Psalms 147:6

Lord, thank You that You bring the proud low and give grace to the humble. Forgive us for trusting in our works and treasures instead of in You. Thank You for Jesus, who humbled Himself, bore our judgment, and rose from the dead. Help us to turn from pride, trust Him, and walk humbly with You this week. Amen.