People with big bank accounts put their trust in their money. And it’s easy to see why. It seems like a quick fix to many of life’s challenges. And that’s why money is deceptive. Because money can’t save us from everything. Like broken relationships, disease, and even our very identity.
Ammon was in the area of today’s northern Jordan, which is why it’s capitol is called “Amman.” Ammon put their trust in their money (v. 4) for their protection, but it wouldn’t be enough to protect them from God’s judgment. You can’t buy off God.
Why do you boast of your valleys,
boast of your valleys so fruitful?
Unfaithful Daughter Ammon,
you trust in your riches and say,
‘Who will attack me?’
I will bring terror on you
from all those around you,”
declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
“Every one of you will be driven away,
and no one will gather the fugitives.
It was once part of the land of Israel, more particularly the land of Gad, but when Israel was down the Ammonites moved in.
But the LORD reminded them that Gad belonged to Israel. And that one day Israel would have it again. It hasn’t happened yet.
Edom also would face judgment. The Edomites were descendants of Esau and were long time trouble-makers of Israel even though they were “brothers.” Oftentimes they did not come to Israel’s help but enjoyed their downfall.
It’s strange that Jeremiah doesn’t name their sin explicitly like the other nations, but then again, perhaps it was because their sin was so obvious. They did not hide their hatred of their brother nation. It was the power of bitterness that affected the generations after the conflict between Esau and Jacob.
Next was judgment against Damascus. Then there was Kedar and Hazor. And also Elam. It was wide-sweeping judgment on so many. Wickedness was like a terrible disease that had spread to the nations. Unfortunately a revival or a move of repentance had not happened. And so the time had come.
The time had come. Has the time come again?
