The Ammonites, descendants of Lot, lived on the east side of the Jordan. Their god was the blood-thirsty, passion-ridden Molek. The Ammonites occupied Gilead, a part of the tribal inheritance of Gad. Jeremiah looked forward to the time when Israel would reclaim her territory and drive the Ammonites out. However, God would someday restore the fortunes of Ammon.

The Edomites, descendants of Esau, lived south of the Dead Sea. Once they had been proud and powerful, striking terror in the hearts of neighbors. But God's judgment on Edom by the hand of Babylon would be swift and sure (16). Though they once inspired terror, they would be brought down.

Damascus was the capital of Aram; Kedar and Hazor were neighboring cities. Elam was east of Babylon. The Lord was bringing disaster on each of them. God holds the future of all nations in his hands.
Application: Lord, your judgment is fearful and complete. Bless me to be a God-fearing person.
One Word: The Lord is judge of all nations