◄ Jeremiah 48:18 ►
Come down from your glory; sit on parched ground, O daughter dwelling in Dibon, for the destroyer of Moab has come against you; he has destroyed your fortresses.
Study Bible
Come down from your glory;
This phrase is a call for humility and a warning of impending judgment. The "glory" refers to the pride and self-exaltation of Moab, a nation often in conflict with Israel. In biblical terms, glory can denote wealth, power, or status, which Moab is about to lose. This echoes the biblical theme that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

sit on parched ground,
The imagery of sitting on parched ground symbolizes desolation and humiliation. Parched ground suggests a lack of life and prosperity, contrasting with the previous state of glory. This reflects the consequences of divine judgment, as seen in other scriptures where desolation follows disobedience (Isaiah 24:4).

O daughter dwelling in Dibon,
Dibon was a significant city in Moab, located north of the Arnon River. The term "daughter" is a poetic way to refer to the inhabitants of the city. Dibon's mention highlights its importance and the personal nature of the prophecy. Archaeological findings, such as the Mesha Stele, provide historical context, showing Dibon's prominence in Moabite culture.

for the destroyer of Moab has come against you;
The "destroyer" refers to the Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar, who historically conquered Moab. This phrase indicates the certainty of Moab's downfall, fulfilling earlier prophecies against the nation (Jeremiah 25:21). It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations.

he has destroyed your fortresses.
Fortresses symbolize security and strength. Their destruction signifies the complete overthrow of Moab's defenses and the futility of relying on human strength against divine judgment. This aligns with biblical themes where God dismantles human fortifications to demonstrate His power (Isaiah 2:12-17).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daughter dwelling in Dibon
This phrase personifies the city of Dibon, a significant Moabite city. It represents the people of Dibon who are being called to humility and repentance.

2. Moab
A nation east of Israel, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is under judgment for its pride and idolatry.

3. The Destroyer
This refers to the invading force or judgment that God is sending against Moab, symbolizing divine retribution.

4. Parched Ground
Symbolizes desolation and humility, a stark contrast to the previous glory and prosperity of Dibon.

5. Fortresses
Represents the strength and security of Moab, which are now destroyed, indicating the totality of God's judgment.
Teaching Points
Humility Before God
The call to "come down from your glory" is a reminder that human pride is often met with divine correction. We must humble ourselves before God, recognizing that all glory belongs to Him.

The Consequences of Pride
Moab's destruction serves as a warning that pride and self-reliance can lead to downfall. We should examine our lives for areas where pride may be leading us away from God.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
The destruction of Moab's fortresses illustrates God's control over nations and events. Trust in God's sovereignty, even when facing difficult circumstances.

Repentance and Restoration
The imagery of sitting on parched ground can be seen as an opportunity for repentance. In our own lives, moments of desolation can lead to spiritual renewal if we turn back to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of "coming down from glory" challenge our understanding of humility in our personal lives?

2. In what ways can the account of Moab's downfall serve as a warning against pride in our communities or nations today?

3. How can we apply the lesson of God's sovereignty in judgment to our current life situations?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that we are living in humility before God?

5. How do the themes in Jeremiah 48:18 connect with the teachings of Jesus on humility and repentance in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 16
This chapter also speaks of Moab's downfall and calls for lamentation, highlighting the theme of divine judgment against pride.

Proverbs 16:18
This verse speaks to the theme of pride leading to destruction, which is a central theme in Jeremiah 48:18.

Lamentations 1:1
The imagery of sitting on the ground in desolation is echoed here, where Jerusalem is described in a similar state of mourning and humility.

James 4:6
This New Testament verse emphasizes God's opposition to the proud and His grace to the humble, aligning with the call for humility in Jeremiah 48:18.
Sermons
The Strong Staff and the Beautiful RodW. R. Williams.
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
Attacker, Cities, Daughter, Destroy, Destroyed, Destroyer, Destroys, Destruction, Dibon, Drought, Dwellest, Dwelling, Dwells, Fenced, Fortified, Glory, Ground, Holds, Honour, Inhabit, Inhabitant, Inhabitants, Inhabitress, Moab, O, Parched, Places, Ruin, Ruined, Seat, Sending, Sit, Spoiler, Strong, Strongholds, Thirst, Waste
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 48:18

     5508   ruins
     5674   daughters

Jeremiah 48:16-18

     5857   fame

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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