Reflecting on today’s passage, Philip Ryken observes, “The Old Testament people of God lived in a bad neighborhood. The last chapters of Jeremiah serve as a reminder that the Jews were surrounded by fierce enemies. They constantly had trouble with gang violence and guerilla warfare.” Five of Israel’s enemies are specifically mentioned in Jeremiah 49. Their utter destruction is announced by the prophet, for throughout history (and down to this day), these nations have opposed God and tormented His people. To the west, the Jews had to deal with the Ammonites. Like the Moabites, these were long-lost cousins of Israel who traced their ancestry back to the incestuous relationships between Lot and his two daughters (Gen 19:36-38). In the days of Jeremiah, the Ammonites worshiped Molech. This was perhaps the most vile pagan deity of the ancient Near East, for Molech worship required child sacrifice (32:35). When God’s judgment falls upon Ammon, even their gods will be taken into exile. And though she “trusted in her treasures,” no amount of wealth will be able to save her (v 1-6). To the south, Israel was opposed by the Edomites. They were also cousins of the Jews, for they were descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob (Gen 36:1). After centuries of mutual hostility from the days of Moses to the days of Solomon and beyond, the destiny of Edom would be destruction. As those who lived “in the clefts of the rock” and “the height of the hill,” they trusted their defenses. But despite their inaccessible location and confidence in their own “wisdom,” the Edomites will soon face a devastating calamity (v 7-22). To the north, the Jews faced the Arameans, or Syrians, whose capital city was Damascus. Though this was a “famous city,” it would soon be forsaken. Gangs of Arameans had often caused trouble as they ventured into Israel, but soon the troublemakers would be forced to flee, seized by panic (v 23-27). Scattered here and there, the tribesmen of Kedar also opposed Israel. As nomads, they often escaped military conflict, but not this time. Even in the desert, their enemies would find them and surround them (v 28-33). And to the far east, the Elamites would also face God’s judgment. As skilled archers, they trusted in their weapons, but the LORD promises to “break the bow of Elam” (v 34-39). God will destroy all His enemies and defend His own royal authority. The fate of all these nations is a solemn reminder to trust in the LORD alone, for dependence on human resources will always fail. For further meditation: