THERE IS SORROW ON THE SEA

"Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet." (Jer 49:23)

This is a prophecy against Damascus – not the city of Damascus, but the kingdom of Syria, of which Damascus was the capital. Just as the judgment of God against Jerusalem was against the whole of Israel, so this word against Damascus declares God's judgment against Syria. Earlier prophets had denounced Syria for its cruelty to the people of God (Amos 1:3-5; Isa 17:1). Their sin was particularly reprehensible because they that had formerly been conquered by David, and served him (2 Sam 8:6). Later, under kings Benhadad I and II, and Hazael, Syria fought against Israel, conquering a large part of their territory (1 Kgs 15:18ff; Jer 20:1ff; 2 Kgs 5:8ff, etc.). Years later Jeroboam II was able to restore those ancient frontiers (2 Kgs 14:25). Now, Jeremiah announces, God will judge Syria for her sin. No particular sin is mentioned. The point is that its repeated rebellion had, as God  elsewhere would say, treasured up wrath against the day of wrath (Romans 2:5).
Not only would they be overthrown by Nebuchadnezzar, every aspect of life would begin to fall apart. They would be "fainthearted," "wax feeble," run away, be seized by fear, and "anguish and sorrow" would take hold of them (49:23-24). God would cause their lives to fall apart, so to speak. At every point, they would be reminded of their weakness.
Our text also says there would be "sorrow on the sea" that "could not be quieted." For them, life would become like an agitated sea with rolling and tossing waves. The Scriptures refer to such times as "the mighty waves of the sea" (Psa 93:4). Isaiah declared, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt" (Isa 57:20). This is not mere happenstance, when there is constant agitation, turmoil, and trouble in the lives the wicked. It is the result of Divine judgment. God caused the circumstances of Damascus to turn against them. With those whom the Lord has called, He makes everything work together for their good (Rom 8:28). But for the wicked, He causes everything to work against them. It is possible to be in trouble, and yet to have great peace, as Daniel in the lion's den, or Paul in a stormy sea that would destroy the very vessel in which he sailed. But our text speaks of "sorrow on the sea," when there is no element of comfort or peace while the storms of life rage about us. One of the chief differences between the godly and the ungodly is found in this text. The wicked have "sorrow on the sea," while the righteous have peace and tranquility.