Treasures From God's Word – October 26–November 1, 2026

Prepared talk

Introduction

When someone hurts us, it can be hard to hold two qualities together: justice and mercy. We may want the wrong to be corrected without becoming harsh ourselves. Jehovah never loses that balance.

Jeremiah 48 contains a strong judgment against Moab. The nation had become proud and had treated God’s people with contempt. Yet the same chapter reveals something tender: Jehovah did not enjoy the suffering, and he even announced mercy for some.

That balance teaches us a great deal about Jehovah. His justice is never cruel, and his mercy never pretends that wrongdoing does not matter. Seeing both qualities together can shape the way we view divine judgment and the way we treat people.

Jeremiah foretold that Jehovah would punish Moab for its treatment of Judah (Jer 48:27, 29, 42; it “Moab” No. 2 ¶22)

LET'S READ JEREMIAH 48:27, 29

Moab had made Israel an object of ridicule. Jeremiah also describes the nation’s arrogance, pride, and haughtiness. This was more than a disagreement between neighboring peoples; it was a settled attitude of contempt and superiority.

Pride can look like a private weakness, but Jehovah sees what it produces. Once a person feels superior, it becomes easier to humiliate others, dismiss their pain, or treat them cruelly. Moab had allowed pride to shape its treatment of Judah.

Jehovah did not ignore that conduct. His patience did not mean approval. A point came when he announced a clear judgment against Moab.

LET'S READ JEREMIAH 48:42

The verse gives the central reason: Moab had exalted itself against Jehovah. That helps us understand why divine justice is necessary. If God never acted against proud cruelty, victims could reasonably wonder whether their suffering mattered to him.

Think of a simple family situation. If a parent repeatedly sees an older child bullying a smaller one, love does not permit endless inaction. Concern for the child being hurt moves the parent to intervene and set limits.

Jehovah acts with perfect knowledge and perfect motives. He gives time for change, sees every relevant fact, and is never driven by temper. When he finally judges, he does so because justice requires action.

This account also invites personal examination. I do not need to commit some dramatic injustice before pride becomes dangerous. It may show up when I resist correction, compare myself with others, or treat someone with less respect because that person has less experience.

So Moab’s story is not merely ancient history. It warns me about a trait Jehovah opposes. I want to catch pride early, before it begins to influence the way I speak to or think about other people.

Jehovah would not take pleasure in destroying Moab (Jer 48:31, 36)

LET'S READ JEREMIAH 48:31, 36

These words are striking because they appear inside a prophecy of judgment. Through Jeremiah, Jehovah speaks of wailing and moaning over Moab. The punishment was deserved, but the suffering itself did not give him pleasure.

That is very different from human revenge. A resentful person may enjoy watching an enemy fail. He may say, “They deserved it,” and use justice as an excuse to feed personal bitterness.

Jehovah is not like that. He can determine that wrong conduct deserves consequences while still feeling compassion for the people affected. His justice never makes him emotionally cold.

This helps when I read difficult Bible accounts. I do not need to picture a God who enjoys finding reasons to destroy people. The same Jehovah who condemns wickedness feels sorrow over loss and prefers that people change direction.

It also guides the way I react when someone receives discipline. Perhaps a person made serious mistakes and now faces painful consequences. Do I quietly enjoy seeing that person humbled? Or do I hope that the discipline helps restore a good relationship with Jehovah?

In the congregation, mercy can be heard in our tone. We can support Jehovah’s standards without speaking harshly about someone who failed. We can protect others without turning a person’s mistake into a subject for unnecessary conversation.

The same principle works in a family. A parent may impose a consequence and make it clear that certain conduct is unacceptable. Yet the child should still feel loved and know that the goal is improvement, not humiliation.

Jehovah’s justice always comes from clean motives. It is never fueled by wounded pride or a desire to get even. The more we copy his thinking, the less room personal revenge will have in our heart.

He would show mercy to some Moabites (Jer 48:47; it “Moab” No. 2 ¶24)

LET'S READ JEREMIAH 48:47

After so many statements of judgment, the chapter closes on an unexpected note. Jehovah says that he would gather Moab’s captives in the final part of the days. Judgment on the nation did not mean that every individual Moabite was beyond mercy.

That is deeply reassuring. Jehovah can condemn a system, a pattern of conduct, or a nation and still see individuals clearly. He knows who may change and who may respond when given an opportunity to come closer to him.

The larger Bible record shows that people from a Moabite background could become worshippers of Jehovah. What mattered was not a national label but faith and a willingness to accept true worship.

That lesson is valuable in the ministry. We may meet someone whose background seems completely opposed to Bible truth. The person may come from a hostile family, a strong religious tradition, or a social circle that usually rejects our message.

It would be a mistake to decide in advance, “People like that never change.” Jehovah does not look at people as one solid group. His mercy leaves room for an individual to think, compare, change, and choose a different course.

The same outlook can help us inside the congregation. Someone may have been inactive for years or may have made serious mistakes. We do not know what conversation, memory, or change in circumstances may reach that person’s heart.

So we keep the door of kindness open. We do not excuse wrong conduct, but we also do not cancel the possibility of recovery. Jehovah’s mercy teaches us to hope for change while there is still time to respond.

Picture

The picture shows a young woman at home holding a photograph of herself serving Jehovah with her parents. On the television is a news report about religious activities being shut down.

The scene raises a timely question. She is looking back on a spiritual part of her life just as circumstances appear to be becoming more difficult. We are not told what decision she will make, but the picture fits the meditation question: What does Jehovah’s mercy move us to do now?

The answer can be very personal. If I need to rebuild a spiritual routine, draw closer to Jehovah, return to the ministry, or encourage someone who has drifted away, I do not need to postpone it. Jehovah’s patience is an opportunity to act, not a promise that circumstances will always remain easy.

Conclusion

Jeremiah 48 gives us a balanced picture of Jehovah. He held Moab accountable for pride and for its treatment of Judah. His justice is real, and the suffering of his servants matters to him.

At the same time, Jehovah took no pleasure in destruction. He felt compassion and left room for mercy. That is why we can trust his judgments completely: they are never cruel, petty, or impulsive.

We can imitate that balance. We stand for what is right and reject pride and cruelty, while still hoping that people will change. As long as Jehovah is showing patience, we want to use the time well and help others take advantage of his mercy.