Topical Bible: Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: To be Captives in Babylon

◄ Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: To be Captives in Babylon ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The Moabites, descendants of Lot through his elder daughter, were a people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. Their territory was located east of the Dead Sea, and they often found themselves in conflict with the Israelites. The Moabites are notable for their interactions with Israel, both hostile and occasionally cooperative, as well as for the prophetic declarations made against them by the Hebrew prophets.

The prophetic literature of the Old Testament contains several pronouncements concerning the fate of Moab, particularly regarding their subjugation and captivity. One of the most significant prophecies concerning the Moabites is their eventual captivity by Babylon, a theme that underscores the divine judgment against them for their idolatry and opposition to Israel.

Jeremiah's Prophecy

The prophet Jeremiah, in his extensive oracles against the nations, includes a detailed prophecy concerning Moab. In Jeremiah 48, the prophet speaks of the impending doom that will befall Moab due to their pride and idolatry. Jeremiah 48:7 states, "Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured. Chemosh will go into exile, together with his priests and officials." This passage highlights the futility of Moab's reliance on their own strength and their god Chemosh, predicting their eventual captivity.

Further, Jeremiah 48:11-12 declares, "Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs, not poured from vessel to vessel. Therefore, its flavor has remained unchanged, and its aroma is undiminished. Therefore behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will send to him pourers who will pour him out; they will empty his vessels and shatter his jars." This imagery of wine being poured out signifies the upheaval and displacement that Moab will experience, culminating in their captivity.

Ezekiel's Prophecy

The prophet Ezekiel also addresses the fate of Moab in his oracles against the nations. In Ezekiel 25:9-11 , the Lord declares, "Therefore I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning with its frontier cities—the glory of the land—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim. I will give Moab along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered among the nations. So I will execute judgments on Moab, and they will know that I am the LORD." This passage indicates that Moab, along with the Ammonites, will be handed over to the "people of the East," a reference to the Babylonians, who were known for their conquests in the region.

Isaiah's Prophecy

Isaiah also prophesies concerning Moab, though his focus is more on their destruction and humiliation. In Isaiah 15 and 16, the prophet laments the devastation that will come upon Moab. While these chapters do not explicitly mention Babylonian captivity, they contribute to the broader narrative of Moab's downfall and subjugation by foreign powers.

Conclusion

The prophetic declarations concerning the Moabites' captivity by Babylon serve as a testament to the sovereignty of God over the nations and His judgment against those who oppose His people and His ways. These prophecies underscore the themes of divine retribution and the futility of idolatry, as the Moabites, despite their historical enmity with Israel, are ultimately subject to the same divine justice that governs all nations.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 27:3,8
And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 48:7
For because you have trusted in your works and in your treasures, you shall also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
Torrey's Topical Textbook