Another indicator that this prophecy is yet future is its proximity to verses that describe the future destruction of Damascus (beginning in v 23). This prophecy is a parallel to the Isaiah 17 passage that is commonly understood by Bible teachers to be as yet unfulfilled.

We can speculate that these events are linked, especially since the Isaiah 17 prophecy does make mention in verse two of the "cities of Aroer", a region near the capital of Jordan. Therefore, it is apparent that both Damascus and Amman will be obliterated in some future war.

That capital, Amman, was in the time of Jeremiah named Rabbah. Jeremiah proclaimed doom for that city: "Cry out, O inhabitants of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn; rush here and there inside the walls, for Molech will go into exile, together with his priests and officials." (Jeremiah 49:3 NIV)

In our examination of the Bible, we understand that every detail is there for a reason. In the verse cited above, the religious aspect of the conflict is brought into focus. The conflict that would result in destruction for Rabbah is not only with the people, but with the deity, Molech.

In verse one of that chapter, Molech is accused as the one who had "taken possession" of real estate that belong to Israel. Today, that land is not yet in the posssession of Israel. But who is Molech? He is described as the "detestable god of the Ammonites." What made him especially detestable was the cult of child sacrifice that was associated with the worship of him.

If these verses are talking primarily about future events, then Molech is a code word for a false deity that is now worshiped in that region, namely, Allah. Like Molech, one of the characteristics of Allah that is especially detestable is the cult of child sacrifice that is associated with the worship of him. Parents of Arab Muslims are eagerly offering up their children as suicide bombers as an act of devotion to this detestable deity.

What happens to the deity in the prophecy of Jeremiah? Perhaps a paraphrase given in modern terminology might be helpful. "Allah will go into exile, together with his mullahs and imams." This pretender deity will be driven out, along with all his clerics.

Though it is often downplayed by secular analysts, the religious nature of the conflict between the Arabs and Israelis is central. The true God, the God of the Bible, who has declared in unambiguous terms his intentions for Israel, is being challenged by a bogus god, Allah. The rallying cry of "Allah Akhbar" has been the driving force of Arab Muslim hatred of Israel for decades. Even though they have been beaten back numerous times in their raging attempts to wipe out Israel, still they persist in their hostile Islamic jihad campaign.

The God of Israel is up to the challenge. He is about to publicly humiliate Allah in a demonstration of His power. Stepping up as an advocate for Israel, based on His declared promises, He is going to destroy once and for all any notion that the Muslims have of reclaiming that land for themselves. The notion of a Palestinian state on that land designated by God for the Jews will be a notion relegated to the history books.

If you, the reader of this article, are a Muslim who has been supportive of the jihad against Israel, I would advise you to renounce your false god before it is too late. Very soon, it will be emphatically, conclusively, and finally demonstrated to you and the world that he is quite impotent in the face of the awesome God of Jacob.

If you are reading this at some later date, after the events described here have transpired, then your eyes have been opened to the sad reality. But the good news for you is that the God of the Bible is always willing, in His great mercy, to accept all who will switch allegiances and come to Him on His terms. Forgiveness is available to all who humbly seek His remedy as described in the Scriptures of the Holy Bible. The Savior Jesus offers eternal life to all who call out to Him in faith.

Copyright 2005 Bob Westbrook - Use permitted with attribution and link