Moab s Sadness and Glory

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1 Moab s Sadness and Glory By Mark Mayberry 3/20/2016 INTRODUCTION In our auditorium class, we have recently considered the examples of Abraham and Lot, Balaam and Balak, Ruth and Naomi, etc. What do these individuals have in common? They share some connection with Moab. NIBD says MOAB [MOE abb] (of my father) the name of a man and a nation in the Old Testament: A son of Lot by an incestuous union with his older daughter (Gen. 19:37). Moab became an ancestor of the MOABITES. A neighboring nation whose history was closely linked to the fortunes of the Hebrew people. Moab was situated along the eastern border of the southern half of the Dead Sea, on the plateau between the Dead Sea and the Arabian desert. It was about 35 miles long and 25 miles wide. Throughout much of its history, the northern border of Moab was the Arnon River and the southern border was the Zered. Although it was primarily a high plateau, Moab also had mountainous areas and deep gorges. It was a fertile area for crops and herds. To the south and west of Moab was the nation of Edom; to the north was Ammon. After the Israelites invaded the land, the tribe of Reuben displaced the Moabites from the northern part of their territory and the tribe of Gad pushed the Ammonites eastward into the desert. Moab is mentioned 175x in 157 verses in the NASB. Despite the large number of references, most folks have little knowledge or understanding of Moab and the Moabites. Yet, many moral lessons can be learned from examining the Biblical history of Moab. SAD ORIGINS The nations of Moab and Ammon resulted from the incestuous union between the daughters of Lot and their inebriated father (Gen. 19:30 38). The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, situated at the lower end of the Jordan valley, were wicked exceedingly and their sin was exceedingly grave (Gen. 13:13; 18:20). In Sacred Scripture, these cities are symbolic of those who are wholly given to evil (Isa. 1:10 15; 3:9; Jer. 23:13 15). Lot s selfish/short sighted decision to choose the best pasture land, and eventually dwell in the city of Sodom, ultimately cost him

2 everything he possessed: his flocks and herds, his wife, and even his dignity (Gen. 13:8 13; 19:15 26). May we recognize the consequences of compromising with a corrupt culture (1 Cor. 15:33 34; 2 Cor. 6:14 17), and be cautioned against the true cost of covetousness (Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:6 10). SAD REACTIONS Centuries later, after the descendants of Abraham grew into a mighty nation, and were delivered from Egyptian captivity, instead of rejoicing at their kinsmen s good fortune, fear gripped the leaders of Moab (Exod. 15:1 18, esp. vs. 15). Fear is often the opposite of faith, growing out of a lack of trust in God. Do not fear is a repeated admonition of Scripture, offered by the Lord to Abram (Gen. 15:1), Hagar (Gen. 21:17), and Isaac (Gen. 26:24), and to Israel by Moses (Exod. 14:13), Joshua & Caleb (Num. 14:9), etc. Fear and faith cannot coexist: You of little faith, why did you doubt? (Matt. 14:25 33). Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:15 19). SAD DECISIONS In deference to the bond of kinship, the Israelites skirted the borders of Moab as they approached the Promised Land following the wilderness wanderings (Num. 21:10 20; Deut. 2:1 9; Judg. 11:16 18). Yet, Balak, the King of Moab, sought a prophet for hire who would curse Israel (Num. 22:1 6; Psa. 83:1 8). King Balak did not understand the steadfast loyalty and unchanging character of God (Num. 23:1 12). The prophet Balaam evidenced a sinful spirit of greed and disobedience (Num. 22:7 35). Later, the nation of Israel pursued a path of spiritual and physical harlotry, resulting in divine punishment (Num. 25:1 9). Learning from these examples of failure, may we recognize God s unchanging character, striving to reflect His consistency in our daily lives (Heb. 13:7 9). Avoiding the soul devouring sin of covetousness, let us value things that have true value (Col. 3:5 6). May we avoid sinful behavior that would result in divine judgment, striving to be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:14 16). SAD RELIGION The earliest reference to Moabite idolatry is where the sons of Israel played the harlot with the daughters of Moab. Joining themselves to Baal of Peor, they provoked the fierce anger of the Lord, which resulted in a plague that killed 24,000 men (Num. 25:1 9). Elsewhere, Balaam is charged with complicity in this affair (Num. 31:14 15; Rev. 2:14). Afterwards, when Moses fought against the Midianites, executing the Lord s vengeance upon Midian, Balaam the son of Beor was counted among the slain (Num. 31:1 20, esp. vs. 8 & 15 16).

3 Note the following comment from an article in Nelson s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary focusing upon Pagan Gods. The Canaanite god most often referred to is Baal, which means lord or master. The word could be used as a title for any person who owned something, or any god considered to be a lord or master. But the word Baal soon became identified with various regional gods that were thought to provide fertility for crops and livestock. As a god who symbolized the productive forces of nature, Baal was worshiped with much sensuality (Num. 22:41; Judg. 2:13; 1 Kings 16:31 32). Baal appeared in many forms and under many different names. The Bible often makes reference to the Baalim (the plural of Baal, KJV) or to the Baals (NKJV; Judg. 2:11; 1 Kings 18:18; Jer. 2:23). The word Baal was often used in forming names, such as Baal of Peor (Deut. 4:3; Baalpeor, KJV). Peor was the name of a mountain in Moab. Baal of Peor was an idol of Moab (probably to be identified with Chemosh) that Israel was enticed to worship with immoral practices. In several passages the idol is simply called Peor (Num. 25:18; Josh. 22:17). Source: Youngblood, R. F., F. F. Bruce & R. K. Harrison. Nelson s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. (1995). s.v. Gods, Pagan. Chemosh, the god of Moab, is mentioned 8x in 8 Bible verses (Num. 21:29; Judg. 11:24; 1 Kings 11:7, 33; 2 Kings 23:13; Jer. 48:7, 13, 46). Chemosh was a detestable idol (1 Kings 11:7), an abomination, (2 Kings 23:13), worshipped by those who have forsaken the Lord God (1 Kings 11:33). He was impotent and powerless (Judg. 11:24). [Note: from the context of Jephthah s speech, Chemosh was also worshipped by the Ammonites (cf. Judg. 11:1 33)]. His followers would face ruin (Num. 21:29), go into exile (Jer. 48:7), be ashamed (Jer. 48:13), and perish (Jer. 48:46). Note also the following information contained in the aforementioned NIBD article: Other pagan gods in addition to Baal and his companions were worshiped by the Canaanites. Molech was the national deity of the Ammonites (Lev. 18:21; Jer. 32:35), whose worship was accompanied by the burning of children offered as a sacrifice by their own parents. The god Molech also appears in the Old Testament as Milcom (2 Kings 23:13; Zeph. 1:5; Malcham, KJV) and in the New Testament as Moloch (Acts 7:43). Chemosh (Judg. 11:24; 2 King. 23:13) was the national god of the Moabites. This deity was apparently compounded with Athtar, the Venus star, and so is thought to be a pagan god associated with the heavenly bodies. Chemosh has been identified with Baal

4 of Peor, Baal Zebub, Mars, and Saturn, as the star of ill omen. Dibon (Num. 21:30), a town in Moab north of the River Arnon, was the chief seat of its worship. Like Molech, Chemosh was worshiped by the sacrifice of children as burnt offerings, but scholars believe it is incorrect to identify Chemosh directly with Molech. Solomon sanctified Chemosh as a part of his tolerance of pagan gods (1 Kings 11:7), but Josiah abolished its worship (2 Kings 23:13). Human sacrifice was made to Chemosh, according to 2 Kings 3:27, which reports that Mesha, king of Moab, offered his oldest son as a burnt offering on the wall of Kir Hareseth, the ancient capital of Moab. SAD CYCLE During the days of the judges, Israel repeatedly departed from God, turning aside to idolatry, and suffering the consequences of rebellion; yet, when they cried out to the Lord, He delivered them from their oppressors, including the king of Moab (Judg. 3:12 30). King Solomon pursued a similar path, building high places for Chemosh, the detestable idol of Moab, etc. (1 Kings 11:7 8). As a result, his kingdom would be divided and 10 tribes given to another (1 Kings 11:26 40). SAD PROPHECIES The Old Testament contains many prophetic denunciations of Moab, her detestable idolatry, her haughty pride and great wickedness (Psa. 60:6 8; 108:7 9; Isa. 15:1 9; 16:1 14; Jer. 48:1 47; Ezek. 25:8 11; Amos 2:1 3; Zeph. 2:8 11). CONCLUSION Despite Moab s sad origins (resulting from an incestuous union), sad reactions (manifesting fear instead of faith), sad decisions (hiring Balaam to curse Israel), sad religion (worshipping the detestable abomination Chemosh), sad cycles of apostasy and punishment, sad prophecies of denunciation and doom, we also read of glorious faithfulness and a glorious future. Glorious Faithfulness In the humble example of Ruth, the Moabitess, we see a glorious example of faithfulness (Ruth 1:1 22). Glorious Future Messianic prophecies foreshadowed a glorious future for Israel, and also for the nations, including Moab (Isa. 11:12 14).

5 Portraying the coming of Christ as a lavish banquet, divine blessings are outpoured on the righteous, while the wicked are punished and brought low (Isa. 25:6 12). However, even in judgment there is hope: Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the Lord (Jer. 48:47). Heeding the example of Jehovah s dealing with Moab, children of God should remember His righteous judgments and repent: doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with their God (Mic. 6:1 8). WORKS CITED NIBD = Youngblood, R. F., F. F. Bruce, & R. K. Harrison. Nelson s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. (1995).

Moab s Sadness and Glory

Moab s Sadness and Glory By Mark Mayberry 3/20/2016 INTRODUCTION In our auditorium class, we have recently considered the examples of Abraham and Lot, Balaam and Balak, Ruth and Naomi, etc. What do these