John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 48:35

"Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith Jehovah, him that offereth in the high place, and him that burneth incense to his gods." — Jeremiah 48:35 (ASV)

In this verse the Prophet expresses what he had previously referred to: that God would become the avenger of the pride and cruelty of the Moabites in such a way as to punish them for their superstitions. They had descended from a pious father, for they were the descendants of Lot; but they had renounced the worship of the only true God and had defiled themselves with the pollutions of pagans. Therefore, God justly declares that He would be the avenger of idolatry while executing punishment on the pride and cruelty of the Moabites.

Now this passage, like innumerable others, clearly shows that idolatry and all profanation of divine worship cannot ultimately escape punishment. God may indeed overlook it for a time, but He must necessarily appear eventually as the vindicator of His own glory in punishing superstitions. But if He did not spare the Moabites, to whom the law had not been given and who had been corrupted through many long years, how will those now escape unpunished to whom God’s Word is daily proclaimed and in whose ears it sounds? Let us then remember that superstitions cannot be endured, for God will eventually vindicate His own glory concerning these abominations, because every superstition is nothing less than a profanation of God’s glory, which is thus transferred to idols and vain inventions.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that since You have once graciously chosen to receive us under Your protection, we may have You as our defense against our enemies; and that as they become more cruel and ferocious, and as You chastise them more heavily, we may in this way find that You care for our salvation and also flee to You with greater confidence; and that when we have experienced Your mercy, we may more readily give You continual thanks, through Christ Jesus our Lord. — Amen.