July 31, 2020

I honestly like how the ESV Study Bible describes Moab and this chapter so I just want to share that with you all today. It reads: 

“Israel’s dealings with Moab date back even further than its relationship with Philistia. Moab’s origins in Abraham’s era began with the tawdy episode of Lot and his daughters (Gen. 19:30-38). Moab opposed Israel in Moses’ era (Numbers 22-25), served Israel in David’s era (2 Sam. 8:2), and plotted with Judah against Babylon in Zedekiah’s era (Jer. 27:3). Here Jeremiah claims God will judge Moab’s arrogance and idolatry (v. 1-10), make Moab ashamed of its god (v. 11-20), silence Moab’s boast (v. 21-44), and someday restore Moab (v. 45-47).” 

As you can see, the country of Moab has been around for a very long time. Sometimes they were friends with God’s people, other times they were enemies. During this chapter, they were friends with Israel, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t acting wickedly. They were following after another god and being boastful in their own works, and for that, God was going to punish them. Then, after some time, God said he would restore them. 

I think some of the blame could have been on Israel for this. Israel was to be a light to the nations and they failed at that because of their own wickedness. Maybe if Israel had been obedient to God throughout its history, Moab would have turned from their god and followed the one true God. 

This is why it is so important to take the Gospel to people. They need to hear about how they can be saved from their sins through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the only thing that can save them from an eternity in Hell. God has tasked us with this mission, are you going to take part in getting the Gospel to the nations?

By: Brice Stockton — Student Ministry Associate