Jeremiah 49:23-39
After Edom it is the turn of Damascus, together with Hamath and Arpad, the main cities in Syria; then of Kedar and Hazor where nomadic tribes lived. Finally Elam (Persia) is sentenced, a nation far removed from Israel, whereas all the others were her neighbours.
God is righteous. He has measured exactly the punishment for each of these nations and sets it in proportion to the privileges received (Romans 2:6; Daniel 4:35). In Jeremiah 2:10-11 the LORD had contrasted Israel with Kedar, an ignorant tribe, but one which at least remained faithful to her false gods, whereas His people had turned away from the true God. How much more guilty Israel was, having been instructed by the law. Let us remember – particularly if we have Christian parents – this serious verse: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48).
All of these nations were to fall, like Judah, to the power of Nebuchadnezzar (v. 30) and become further provinces in the Babylonian empire. It was therefore useless and foolish for the Jews to turn to their neighbours for refuge and safety (Psalms 60:11). How could these nations come to Israel’s aid when they could not even save themselves?