The Moabites, descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Genesis 19:37), were a people frequently in conflict with the Israelites throughout biblical history. Situated east of the Dead Sea, the land of Moab was known for its rugged terrain and fertile plains. The relationship between Israel and Moab was complex, marked by periods of both hostility and cooperation.

Historical Context

The Moabites are first mentioned in the context of Israel's wilderness wanderings. Balak, the king of Moab, sought to curse the Israelites through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). Despite this early antagonism, there were times of peaceful coexistence, as seen in the account of Ruth, a Moabitess who became the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 1:4, 4:13-22).

Moabite Hostility and Alliances

Throughout the period of the Judges and the monarchy, Moab was often an adversary of Israel. King Eglon of Moab oppressed Israel for eighteen years until he was assassinated by Ehud (Judges 3:12-30). Later, King David subdued Moab, making it a vassal state (2 Samuel 8:2). However, Moab regained independence and continued to be a thorn in Israel's side.

The Moabites' enmity towards Judah is notably recorded during the reign of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin, kings of Judah. As Babylon rose to power under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Moabites seized the opportunity to join forces with Babylon against Judah. This alliance is mentioned in 2 Kings 24:2: "And the LORD sent against Jehoiakim bands of Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, and Ammonites. He sent them to destroy Judah, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by His servants the prophets."

Prophetic Denunciations

The prophets of Israel frequently denounced Moab for its pride and idolatry. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all prophesied against Moab, foretelling its downfall. Isaiah 15-16 and Jeremiah 48 are particularly detailed in their pronouncements of judgment against Moab. Jeremiah 48:42 states, "Moab will be destroyed as a nation because he vaunted himself against the LORD."

Theological Implications

The Moabites' participation in the Babylonian campaign against Judah is seen as part of God's sovereign judgment upon His people for their disobedience. Yet, it also underscores the theme of divine justice against the nations that oppose God's chosen people. The Moabites, despite their temporary success, were ultimately subject to God's judgment, as prophesied by the Hebrew prophets.

Legacy and Lessons

The Moabites serve as a reminder of the consequences of pride and opposition to God's will. Their history with Israel illustrates the complexities of human relationships and the overarching sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations. Despite their enmity, the inclusion of Ruth in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5) highlights God's redemptive plan and the possibility of grace extended to all peoples.2 Kings 24:2
And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servants the prophets.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Book 9 Footnotes
... in this particular case, when the Moabites were to ... ancient city Hamath, which is
joined with Arpad ... the famous Nitocris, who fortified Babylon against the Medes ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... border; and the crime of the Moabites, rebuked in chap ... The threat of punishment,
joined with exhortations to ... The overthrow of Assyria, Babylon, the Persian and ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

And ii.
... out like a desolating torrent over Judah and Jerusalem ... my bowels" by "bowels of the
Moabites,""a view ... in the prophecy against Babylon, and in the lamentation ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... And Jehoshaphat Made An Expedition Against The Moabites; As Also ... King, And Took Him
Away To Babylon And Delivered ... By Jeremiah And Ezekiel But Joined Himself To ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... of ??glom [2038] king of the Moabites for eighteen ... Naphtali, commanding the army,
having joined battle with ... fifteenth year, Israel was carried away to Babylon. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... the Zidonians, and Chemosh, the abomination of the Moabites, and Milcom ... under heaven,
have more or less joined in the ... and sent him a prisoner to Babylon in the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... his garments a keen dagger, and joined himself to ... the East, sheikhs of the Midianites,
Moabites, and Ammonites ... however, now and again to act against a common foe ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... true Church, by Jerusalem; Rome, by Babylon."The explanation ... to exclude the Ammonites
and Moabites is founded ... in the God of Israel, and joined themselves to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... the mortal to whom he has been temporarily joined. ... whose fourteenth year Cyrus became
King of Babylon. ... Cyrus was preparing his expedition against Astyages; and ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... extraordinary determination: the spoils of Susa, Babylon, and Thebes ... as vassals of
the Scythians, joined them in ... of the trumpet and alarm, against the fenced ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Who were the Moabites? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Moab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ehud? | GotQuestions.org

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