The Moabites, descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Genesis 19:37), were a people who inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea. Throughout biblical history, the Moabites had a complex and often adversarial relationship with the Israelites. One significant episode highlighting this tension is found in the narrative of Balak, the king of Moab, who became alarmed at the burgeoning population of Israel during their wilderness wanderings.

Context and Background

The Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt, were journeying towards the Promised Land. As they encamped on the plains of Moab, near the Jordan River opposite Jericho, their numbers and presence caused great concern among the Moabites. The Moabites, aware of Israel's recent victories over the Amorites, feared for their own safety and sovereignty.

Biblical Account

The Book of Numbers provides a detailed account of the Moabites' alarm. Numbers 22:3-4 states, "And Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites. So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, 'This horde will devour everything around us, like an ox licks up the grass of the field.'"

In response to this perceived threat, Balak, the king of Moab, sought to neutralize the Israelites not through direct military confrontation but by spiritual means. He sent messengers to Balaam, a renowned diviner, urging him to come and curse the Israelites. Balak's strategy was rooted in the belief that a curse from Balaam would weaken Israel and make them vulnerable to defeat.

Balaam's Oracles

Despite Balak's persistent requests and promises of reward, Balaam, under divine compulsion, could not curse Israel. Instead, he delivered a series of oracles that blessed the Israelites and affirmed their divine favor. Numbers 23:8 records Balaam's words: "How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?"

Balaam's oracles not only thwarted Balak's plans but also underscored the futility of opposing God's chosen people. The Moabites' fear and subsequent actions highlight the broader biblical theme of God's protection and provision for Israel, even amidst hostility.

Moabite-Israelite Relations

The incident with Balak and Balaam is emblematic of the broader Moabite-Israelite relations throughout the Old Testament. While there were periods of peace and cooperation, such as during the time of Ruth, a Moabitess who became an ancestor of King David, the relationship was often marked by conflict and enmity.

The Moabites' alarm at the number of Israel reflects a recurring biblical motif: the fear of God's people by surrounding nations. This fear often led to attempts to undermine or destroy Israel, yet the biblical narrative consistently demonstrates God's sovereign protection over His covenant people.

Conclusion

The Moabites' alarm at the number of Israel serves as a testament to the power and presence of God among His people. Despite the Moabites' fears and schemes, the Israelites continued their journey towards the fulfillment of God's promises, underscoring the divine assurance that "no weapon formed against you shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17).Numbers 22:3
And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Chapter xix
... a similar process of devaluation of a number of other ... after "the overthrow" and may
have become alarmed at the ... He is the father of the present-day Moabites. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... to knowledge, [2633] who will possibly be of the number of those ... I am alarmed by
the reproaches of the Pharisees, the conviction of ... 2792] Moabites and Ammonites ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... intrusion of a new element naturally alarmed the worshippers ... the East, sheikhs of
the Midianites, Moabites, and Ammonites ... warriors set out to the number of six ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... source which underlay all Semitic religions, but a considerable number of Babylonian ...
kings, also suzerains of Hamath and masters of half Israel, were powerful ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... forward another prophet, one of the greatest among the prophets of Israel"Jeremiah,
son ... to his servant Baruch, and that later on he added a number of others ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... charge of the lamps and torches, and finally admitted to the number of the ... Astyages
was much alarmed by a certain dream concerning his daughter: he dreamt that ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

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