devastate – restore

Jeremiah 49:34-39 (JDV)

Jeremiah 49:34 This is the word of Yahveh that came to the prophet Jeremiah about Elam at the first of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah.
Jeremiah 49:35 This is what Yahveh of Armies says: I am about to shatter Elam’s bow, the first of their might.
Jeremiah 49:36 I will bring the four winds against Elam from the four corners of the sky, and I will scatter them to all these winds. There will not be a nation to which Elam’s banished ones will not go.
Jeremiah 49:37 I will devastate Elam before their enemies, before those who intend to take their lives. I will bring disaster on them, my burning anger. This is what Yahveh declares. I will send the sword after them until I finish them off.
Jeremiah 49:38 I will set my throne in Elam, and I will destroy the king and officials from there. this is what Yahveh declares.
Jeremiah 49:39 Yet, in the last days, I will restore the fortunes of Elam. This is what Yahveh declares.

devastate – restore

Elam is just one of the many nations that would suffer devastation by means of the Babylonian invasion — and then restoration eventually.

This is the nature of our God. He is serious about sin, and we will suffer badly as long as we remain in rebellion against him and his word. But that same word offers hope for us, because our God wants to restore us.

Lord, bring the nations to repentance, acceptance of your Son as their king, and restoration in the last days.