Christ in all the scriptures Moab

 

Christ in all the scriptures

"Moab is my washpot"-Psalm 60v8; Numbers 22v1-21

This was a term of profound disdain from above to the people of Moab.  Their spiritual standing before God was symbolised in their geographical location, namely, at the base of the Dead Sea.  Moab was born into privilege, being out of Lot (nephew of Abraham), albeit their existence came out of an incestuous relationship in a time of Divine overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah.  It seemed they had never overcome that stigma, for here they are, seeking to curse Israel whom God has blessed.   Their king, Balak, appalled at Israel hugging their borders, and, fearful of the evident Divine presence among them, sent for a known diviner in Balaam to curse them, so they would be rid of any threat.  He said, reflecting the character of his people, "Curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me; peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot (know) that whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed"-Numbers 22v6.  This, toward their natural relations, but, evidently their spiritual enemies.  What about "Love thy neighbour as thyself"?!!  Conflict with man stems from opposition to God.  And so continued the opposition to Israel.  The Divine word emphatically reveals that conflict with Israel is conflict with God (Genesis 12v1-3; 27v29; Exodus 23v22; Numbers 24v9).  Modern nations should take heed.  God will deal with the waywardness of Israel in His own way, but those nations who oppose them are under the curse of God, and there is only one outcome of that.

It is important we grasp the flow of thought in scripture.  Israel are on the border of the promised land.  The arch enemy of God and His people attempted to debar them by opposition from strong and powerful enemies in the form of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and the giant Og, king of Bashan.  This failed, and now he attempts to bring them down another way.  Confrontation did not work, and now he tries deception, which, as we shall see, did work in part.  The New Testament makes it clear, that the devil has two ways of opposition to God's people: Ephesians 6v10-16, "...the fiery darts of the wicked one", and... "the wiles of the devil".  When one way fails, he will try another, and this is always the way.  He is the Adversary of God and His people, and to the end will use all means possible to oppose them.  In the story of Balaam (Numbers 22v1-25v9) we have the attempt of the devil to corrupt God's people by deception.  It was by deception that Satan achieved the fall of man in the beginning.  He has failed to halt their progress through force, now he will corrupt them by wiles, but not before God, through Balaam, declares the inevitable outcome.

The elders of Moab and Midian conspired together to persuade Balaam, the diviner, with financial reward-Numbers 22v7.  The New Testament is clear that Balaam was drawn with what it called "the wages of unrighteousness"-2nd Peter 2v15.  Balaam was motivated by money.  In the course of his time in Moab, he will proclaim the integrity and sanctity of God, but his god was money.  He had no love for Israel, the people of God, he "loved the wages of unrighteousness".  He would say and do whatever it took to maximise personal reward.  Divinely gifted, yet he used it for personal gain.  As the late C. S. Lewis once quipped, "Of all bad men, religious bad men are the worst".  The sheer hypocrisy of proclaiming in public the truth of God, while in private promoting evil, is alarming, yet God has exposed it in His word.  Numbers 23 and 24 are his public face, while Numbers 25v1-9 is his real face.   

Moab were rich in pastureland and possessed great wealth; largely a depraved people who worshipped the god Chemosh, and remained the enemy of Israel throughout their history.  Judges 3v12-31 describes an 18 year oppression of Israel under king Eglon.  2nd Kings 3 indicates a rebellion by Moab against Israel when they had been previously trading together. This resulted in a major war which soured the relationship for years to come.  Isaiah chapters 15-16 reveal that Moab remained in contention to Israel.  They were a very proud people, but due to their constant conflict with Israel the Lord brought them down to almost oblivion (Isaiah 16v14).  The depraved character, and the down fall of the people of Moab is declared in Jeremiah 48.  A proud, prosperous, sexually promiscuous and idolatrous people, were cut down under the hand of God ("Moab is destroyed"-48v4; "Moab is spoiled"-48v15; "Moab is confounded"-48v20; "The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken saith the Lord"-48v25.  The chapter ends with the promise of God to restore them to prosperity in the latter days (48v47).  This is a testimony to the sovereignty and the mercy of God who, despite man's folly, continues to offer His goodness when the time is right.  Ultimately Moab will rebel and will be smitten at the coming of Messiah, according to the prophecy of Balaam in Numbers 24v17.  Jesus, when He returns, will put down all rebellion to usher in worldwide peace

Topically, in this connection we remember that in the midst of all this is the wonderful story of Ruth the Moabitess, who committed herself to the people of God, who became the grandmother of King David (no less), and an important link in the genealogy which led to Christ.  The lesson is clear, that while there is a national characteristic of depravity, there are individuals within any nation who can break the mould and stand for God.  This is true in every generation, and the God of heaven patiently waits for such to emerge.  It is true in our generation, where individuals, reared in a godless environment have risen to give their devotion, and lives to Jesus Christ.  Will I be a Ruth, or will I succumb to the trend of the masses?  God is exceedingly gracious.