1 Against Moab thus saith Yahweh Tz'vaoth, the Elohim of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.

The prophet Jeremiah reviews the neighbouring nations to Judah, and pronounces divine judgment. Chapter 48 is against Moab, because they did not wisely benefit from their long period of peace (v. 11). They thought they did, by fortifying their cities, establishing their worship, building up their wealth. But these were the very grounds of complaint against the nation (v. 7).

...Moab signifies "From a Father," and Ammon: "Son of My People." In his treatment of Moab, Jeremiah reproduces some of the language of Isaiah 140 years earlier (cp. Isa. 15-16), and applies them to the Babylonian invasion as Isaiah did to the Assyrian. Though closely related to Israel, even in language, the Moabites showed hostility to them on Israel's original approach to the Land, and refused them hospitality, on account of which they were denied entrance into the congregation of Yahweh to the tenth generation (Deu. 23:3-4).

They hired Balaam against Israel, and used their women to entice Israel from their allegiance (Num. 25:1). But a latter-day restoration of Moab is seen in the redemption of natural Israel (Jer. 48:47), who have acted as did Moab formerly.

Bro Graeham Mansfield, Logos