Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed. Therefore, behold, the Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles. Jeremiah 48.11,12
The HCSB says this: “Complacency is implied by the phrase settled like wine on its dregs—an apt metaphor for Moab and her renowned vineyards. Moab has been left quiet. Even though she had been a tributary nation to Israel, she had never gone into exile. Since she was off the main trail, she had experienced few if any invasions. God will send those to him [Moab] who will pour him out (lit “I will send tilters who will tilt him”). Tilters worked in wine cellars to decant the wine. In order for wine to age properly, it was not left to settle on its dregs in the vessel too long ( Zph 1:12 ). After 40 days or so it was poured into other vessels and separated from its dregs. If not handled properly, the wine would not achieve the quality the tilters sought. In the same way Moab had rested on her laurels, but this time of complacency was over.”
What a word in season this is for many of God’s people today. Like Moab, spiritual complacency can settle in if we are not being poured out from vessel to vessel. The KJV word “wanderers” is more clearly describes as filters in the HCSB. Beloved, if God does not allow circumstances in our lives to tilt us, our faith will become stagnant. If God is tilting you this morning, do not say “poor me”, cling to the power of His grace and say, “pour me Father.” It is when we respond to the molding of The Potter that we bear fruit and experience true growth in Christ. The question is not what is tilting me this morning, but Who. When we are poured out, the image of Jesus is poured in.
