12/3/12  Jeremiah 49 
Prophecies are recorded here against  Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedor, Hazor, and Elam.
 Ammon will be driven out because of his boasting and trust in treasures.  But there will be restoration in the future.
 Edom will be stripped and uncovered due to his lack of wisdom, but orphans and widows are spared.
Damascus will become helpless, deserted, and silenced.
Kedar and Hazor will be scattered.
Elam will be outcasts and consumed, but restoration will come after God sets His throne in Elam.

How does this all play out?  What is the significance?   God has plans and purposes for every nation.  v. 20  He brings punishment on all who refuse to bow before Him.  v19 "For who is like Me, and who will summon Me into court? And who then is the shepherd who can stand against Me?"
It is the arrogant and unwise who are deceived and who are brought down by Almighty God.
It was so and it is still so.  Elam is where modern day Iran now arrogantly raises its voice against the people of God.  God will complete His purposes and plans for Iran.  He will bring down the prideful and arrogant.  He will restore those He chooses.  He will rescue those He desires to rescue.

 In the world today there are many nations who think they can reign without bowing to the Lord.  He will not allow that to remain.  He will punish the unjust and arrogant. He has always done that and He has not changed.  America is treading on dangerous territory.  We must humble ourselves before the Lord.  We are being deceived by the arrogance of our hearts just as Edom was during Jeremiah's days. Our sin is not merely abortion or homosexual marriages, evolution or social injustice... our sin is that we have forgotten Who God really is.  We, as a nation, are arrogant and will be brought down.
Romans 1: 28-31 "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God and longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy,murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful..."

And what is the message for me today?  God is to be honored and acknowledged as God!  Creator and Ruler of Heaven and Earth.   Each and every one will stand before Him and he will render judgement.  We either acknowledge Him and seek to live as His servant, believing and trusting in His Son as Savior, and find eternal life....  or we do not obey the truth, are unrighteous and will face His wrath.  I am so thankful to know the gospel , the power of God for salvation to any who believe.
" Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"  Rom. 2:4   Praise to our Lord and King, the Shepherd of those who follow Him.