Moab has been at ease from his youth; He has settled on his dregs, And has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, Nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him, And his scent has not changed. “ Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,--Jeremiah 48:11-12
Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna and Mikayla,
We have reached Chapter 48 in Jeremiah. Jeremiah had a ministry to the Jewish people for more than 40 years. In chapter one God told him that he would be a prophet to the nations. Chapter 46 begins his "international" ministry where he speaks to the nations around Israel. God is speaking to Moab in Chapter 48.
Here God, speaking through Jeremiah, pronounces plunder and great destruction on Moab. Moab's judgment occurred because of her immense pride. She was powerful, prosperous and had much, but she did not have the Lord. Destruction came without warning and judgment was swift and thorough. Her pride was her undoing. Joy and gladness ceased and God caused the wine to fail from the winepresses. The sound of joy and celebration was no more. In its place was weeping and wailing.
“ We have heard the pride of Moab (He is exceedingly proud), Of his loftiness and arrogance and pride, And of the haughtiness of his heart.” --Jeremiah 48:29
A general lamentation On all the housetops of Moab, And in its streets; For I have broken Moab like a vessel in which is no pleasure,” says the LORD.--Jeremiah 48:38
We are described in the Bible as vessels. Some are for honor and some are for dishonor. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says that Christ dwells in these earthen vessels of ours. We have this treasure (Christ) in our earthen vessels so that the the excellence of the power may be of God and not us.
"Moab had settled in the dregs." What does that mean? On the surface it means that Moab had had a quiet history. They were a settled people. The imagery used is of wine making. In the production of sweet wine, the juice was left in the wineskin until the sediment of dregs were settled on the bottom. Once that occurred it was poured into another skin. If left too long in the same vessel, the dregs that had settled at the bottom would make the wine bitter...so as soon as the dregs settled, the wine was poured into another vessel. Each pouring separated more of the dregs. This continued until the dregs were removed and the pure, sweet wine remained. Moab had never been poured...she had settled into the dregs...bitterness, pride and sin filled her vessel.
Trials pour out the bitterness in our lives until the pure sweetness of the Lord remains. Changes take place in our hearts during our trials. Pride leaves, self-sufficiency leaves and we are on our knees beseeching our God for help and mercy in our time of need. We begin to understand that all our good is of Him and that apart from Him we can do nothing. Our dependence on Him increases and our self-will and self-desires (which you know...are the dregs) are removed. The pouring out process is painful, but the results are a vessel that is useful and can be used to shine the light of Jesus to others.
Jesus' first miracle was to turn water into wine. Wine represents joy. Joy is the first manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit which is love. Jesus loved us so much that He poured out His life for the joy that was set before Him...US!
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”--Matthew 26:27-28
What joy was wrought through the pouring out of God's Son on the cross. The darkest moment in the history of the world, but through it came the shining beacon of light that brings the hope of eternal life to all men.
When we believe, He begins this work in us and is faithful to complete it. When we allow ourselves to be poured out in surrender to Him, our lives become a source of light and refreshment for those around us.. He takes us from suffering to suffering so that our bitter dregs are removed and the pure sweet wine of Jesus remains.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.--2 Timothy 2:20-21
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.--Romans 8:18
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.--2nd Corinthians 4:7
Love
Mom
