Jeremiah 48:36-41 Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he had gotten are perished. For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, said the LORD. They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him. For thus said the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
‘Pipes’ were used in mourning at funerals (Matt. 9:23).
‘Housetops of Moab’ – The housetops were used many times for idolatrous worship and prayer to other gods. Instead, there will be lamentation because of the powerlessness of their god who had allowed this ruin (48:38-39).
‘He shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.’ The rapid and irresistible attack of Nebuchadnezzar is here compared to the swiftness of an eagle – speed surprising the men of war and causing faintness of heart in resisting (48:40-41). Unlike Assyria and Rome, Babylon and its king, Nebuchadnezzar, are particularly compared to eagles in several passages in the prophets (Jer. 4:1-13; 48:40; 49:22; Ezek. 17:3, 7; Hos. 8:1).
End times: Prophetic Scriptures 