John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 48:38

"On all the housetops of Moab and in the streets thereof there is lamentation every where; for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein none delighteth, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 48:38 (ASV)

The Prophet, at the beginning of the verse, continues the same subject: that the Moabites would weep and lament throughout all their houses and in all their streets. The reason is added in the second clause: God would bring a severe judgment on that nation.

By saying that there would be lamentation on all the roofs, he refers to what was customary at that time, for they had their walks on the roofs or tops of their houses. Then he says that the Moabites, in order to be more seen and to excite pity, would ascend to the roofs, and cry, howl, and lament there.

But we must observe what is added: that the calamity would come from God. For it would not have been sufficient to foretell adversity unless it was also added that God ascended his tribunal to execute his judgments when he thus chastised the people.

He also compares the people of Moab to a despised vessel, in order to make a distinction between God’s children and foreigners. For God also chastises his own people when they sin, but he does not cease to love them and to regard them as precious. Now he says that Moab would be a vessel despised and rejected.