Jer 49:3 | KingComments | STEP | The Ammonites, after their brother people the Moabites in the previous chapter, are now the subject of a prophecy ( ). They too are related to Israel through Lot ( ). In Ammon we see the spirit of greed. Malcam, the god of the Ammonites, is given credit that the Ammonites now own the cities of Gad, a tribe with an inheritance in the region on the other side of the Jordan. There is no respect for what God has given someone, in this case His people, as a possession. In the name of Malcam, they moderate themselves to be heirs of Gad. In doing so, they ignore that Israel itself has children who are heirs. Ammon shows no respect for a family heirloom. Assyria carried Gad away into exile ( ) and the Ammonites moved in. This brings God’s judgment on Rabbah, the capital of Ammon ( ). Enemies, under shouts of war, will destroy the city and burn the villages with fire (cf. ; ). Those who live in it will become booty for the Israelites who return, who will thereby receive compensation for all that Ammon took from them. This will happen in the future. Ai will also be destroyed ( ). This will hurt Heshbon and the daughters of Rabbah. They are called to wail and cry out. Another reason to mourn and walk around dazed is the exile of their god Malcam, together with his priests and princes. Thus the entire idolatry will be judged and its worthlessness demonstrated. Malcam, whom they first honored as the heir of Gad ( ), turns out to be nothing more than a piece of wood that can be taken away. Like Moab, Ammon is not free from pride ( ; ). Their valleys gave rich harvests, but there is nothing left of them. Ammon trusts in treasures and boasts that they fear no enemy. ‘Well’, declares “the Lord GOD of hosts”, ‘I will make you afraid ( ). An enemy is coming and will surround you. Wherever you look, fear will overtake you. You will flee and be torn apart.’ It is every man for himself, with no chance of reunion. Yet there is recovery for Ammon as well ( ). When the LORD’s discipline has done its work, He will bring a reversal in the captivity of the Ammonites. Then He will bring them back to their land.

‏ Jeremiah 49:3

Prophecy Concerning Ammon

The Ammonites, after their brother people the Moabites in the previous chapter, are now the subject of a prophecy (Jer 49:1). They too are related to Israel through Lot (Gen 19:38). In Ammon we see the spirit of greed. Malcam, the god of the Ammonites, is given credit that the Ammonites now own the cities of Gad, a tribe with an inheritance in the region on the other side of the Jordan. There is no respect for what God has given someone, in this case His people, as a possession. In the name of Malcam, they moderate themselves to be heirs of Gad. In doing so, they ignore that Israel itself has children who are heirs.

Ammon shows no respect for a family heirloom. Assyria carried Gad away into exile (1Chr 5:26) and the Ammonites moved in. This brings God’s judgment on Rabbah, the capital of Ammon (Jer 49:2). Enemies, under shouts of war, will destroy the city and burn the villages with fire (cf. Amos 1:13-15; Eze 25:3-5 ; 10). Those who live in it will become booty for the Israelites who return, who will thereby receive compensation for all that Ammon took from them. This will happen in the future.

Ai will also be destroyed (Jer 49:3). This will hurt Heshbon and the daughters of Rabbah. They are called to wail and cry out. Another reason to mourn and walk around dazed is the exile of their god Malcam, together with his priests and princes. Thus the entire idolatry will be judged and its worthlessness demonstrated. Malcam, whom they first honored as the heir of Gad (Jer 49:1), turns out to be nothing more than a piece of wood that can be taken away.

Like Moab, Ammon is not free from pride (Jer 49:4; Jer 48:29). Their valleys gave rich harvests, but there is nothing left of them. Ammon trusts in treasures and boasts that they fear no enemy. ‘Well’, declares “the Lord GOD of hosts”, ‘I will make you afraid (Jer 49:5). An enemy is coming and will surround you. Wherever you look, fear will overtake you. You will flee and be torn apart.’ It is every man for himself, with no chance of reunion.

Yet there is recovery for Ammon as well (Jer 49:6). When the LORD’s discipline has done its work, He will bring a reversal in the captivity of the Ammonites. Then He will bring them back to their land.