I hope you didn’t scroll right past the last verse. Almost like an afterthought, the author closes this prophecy with a trickle of hope. Because that was such a long and emotionally draining reading, I’d like to keep the focus on hope. There are plenty of very devastating things promised for the Moabites.
Clearly God was angered by the people of Moab. They ridiculed God’s precious Israelites, they were full of pride and arrogance, they offered sacrifices and burnt incense to other gods, and they boasted against the Lord. How can God forgive those acts of disrespect?
For a quick history recap, the Moabites descend from Moab, a son born due the incest of Lot and Lot’s oldest daughter. This happened after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah back in Genesis 19. You will recall that Lot was Abraham’s relative, so he had ties to the Israelite community by blood.
God would care about the Moabites because they were related to the people of Israel. They were also rivals to God’s chosen ones. The Moabites, just like Judah’s other neighbors, would have had awareness of the God of Abraham. However, they made their choice to trust a false god instead.
Because of God’s steadfast love, and his willingness to forgive our failures through faith in Christ, we have hope. What are some of the things you are hoping for? I asked some children that question recently and was surprised that they didn’t really know what to say.
Feeling hopeless is not a pleasant way to feel. Existing in a hopeless environment can zap our energy and desire to live. We can hope that tomorrow will be better. We can hope for reconciliation between enemies. We can hope for Jesus to return soon.
Take some time to think about your “hope” list. What made the top 10? In 1 Peter 1:3-5, Peter defines our ultimate hope in eternal life. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.”
Let’s pray. Lord, I put my hope and trust in you. You have promised me a priceless inheritance. I want to live my life in such a way that I can honor you and show my gratitude for all you have provided for me. Help me not to get caught up in the lies of the world that will blind me to your love. Forgive me for times when I have been disobedient. I love you, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
