The Ceasing of False Worship: A Call to True Devotion
"Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods." - Jeremiah 48:35
In Jeremiah 48:35, we read a profound declaration from God: "Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods." This verse carries with it the weight of God's judgment upon the nation of Moab and serves as a sobering reminder of God's intolerance for false worship and idolatry.
To unpack this verse, we must first understand the context in which it is given. Jeremiah prophesies during a tumultuous time for Israel and its surrounding nations. The land of Moab, historically a neighbor and often an adversary of Israel, engaged in practices of worship that were contrary to the holiness of God. The high places were locations where false gods were worshipped, often associated with immoral and idolatrous practices. The act of burning incense was symbolic of offering devotion to these deities, rituals that the Lord abhors.
God's declaration through Jeremiah reveals a critical truth: He will not permit false worship to flourish indefinitely. The phrase "I will cause to cease" indicates an active intervention by God. He is not a passive observer of human practices; He is fully engaged in the unfolding narrative of humanity, and He will act decisively against idolatry. This is not merely a warning to Moab; it is a reminder to all of us who live today.
In a world bustling with distractions, where the modern high places might be found in our own ambitions, desires, or even the ideologies we subscribe to, we must continually examine what or who receives our worship. Are we dedicating our time, resources, and affections to things that draw us away from God? Are we burning incense, metaphorically speaking, to success, recognition, or even our own plans while neglecting our relationship with the one true God?
Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. This scripture reinforces the concept of true worship — one that honors God and acknowledges His sovereignty over our lives. When the Lord says He will cease the practices of idolatrous worship, He is also calling us to cease from our own false worship.
The beauty of Jeremiah’s prophecy, though linked to judgment, also contains a thread of hope for those who respond. The end of false worship opens the door for a genuine relationship with God. It is essential that we see God’s judgment not only as a warning but as an opportunity to realign ourselves to His purpose and calling. In Isaiah 1:18, God invites Israel to come and reason together with Him. Likewise, He invites us today to strip away any distractions and focus on Him.
As we reflect on the message of Jeremiah 48:35, let us ask ourselves: What are the high places in our own lives? What practices do we need to bring before the Lord for redemption and cleansing? God’s call is not just for Moab but for each believer to examine the altars we’ve erected in our hearts.
May we choose to serve the Lord sincerely, valuing our relationship with Him above all else. As we redirect our worship from the false gods and high places that demand our attention, let us instead burn the fragrant incense of our offerings of praise, thanksgiving, and humble service to Him alone. Let us be living testimonies of devotion, where God is the centerpiece of our lives.
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Jeremiah 48:35 - "Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods."
"Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods." - Jeremiah 48:35
Ezekiel 48:35 - "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."
Jeremiah 35:12 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,"
Jeremiah 48:22 - "And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,"
Jeremiah 48:6 - "Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness."
Jeremiah 48:16 - "The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast."
Jeremiah 48:23 - "And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon,"
Jeremiah 48:14 - "¶ How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?"
Jeremiah 48:3 - "A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction."
Jeremiah 48:25 - "The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 48:4 - "Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard."
Jeremiah 48:13 - "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence."
Jeremiah 48:20 - "Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,"
Jeremiah 48:21 - "And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,"
Jeremiah 48:43 - "Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 48:24 - "And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near."
"¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying," - Jeremiah 35:12
Jeremiah 35:1 - "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,"
Jeremiah 48:30 - "I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it."
Jeremiah 48:42 - "And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD."
Jeremiah 35:3 - "Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites;"
Jeremiah 48:19 - "O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?"
Jeremiah 48:47 - "¶ Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab."
Jeremiah 48:40 - "For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab."
Jeremiah 48:10 - "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood."
"It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there." - Ezekiel 48:35
Jeremiah 48:41 - "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."
Jeremiah 48:37 - "For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth."
Jeremiah 48:27 - "For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy."