Interesting!

“So we bypassed the territory of our relatives, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We avoided the road through the Arabah Valley that comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber. “Then as we turned north along the desert route through Moab, the LORD warned us, ‘Do not bother the Moabites, the descendants of Lot, or start a war with them. I have given them Ar as their property, and I will not give you any of their land.’” [Deuteronomy 2.8-9]

Oh man, this is all so interesting! Really.

Moses is recounting Israel's journey leading up to the Promised Land. The passage above is just one part of that history review.

What's interesting is that God told Israel not to bother the Moabites. They were the descendants of Abraham's nephew, Lot.

What's also interesting is that Moab's king, Balak, is the one who commissioned Balaam to curse Israel, but we all know how that story turned out. This is so interesting because Balak's fear was completely unfounded and based on hearsay and assumptions. Balak heard about Israel defeating the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, and assumed Israel was intending the same fate for the occupants of Moab. Little did he know that God had warned Israel to leave his people, Lot's descendants - the Moabites, alone!

We also know, by paying careful attention, that Balaam evidently did go on to bring trouble to Israel. As we learn from scriptures beyond the story of the talking donkey, Balaam's interaction with Balak led Balak to encourage the Moabite women to sexually seduce Israel's men and then further (or as part of that process) seduced Israel's men to betray God and worship Baal. It was a messed up deal.

So, why is this all so interesting? Because the Moabites were descendants of Lot. Remember Lot who lived in Sodom? Remember Sodom that was rife with sexual perversion? Is it any wonder that the descendants of Lot, who had been so "near" to Sodom, a city of great sexual sin, were then later responsible for Israel's falling into sexual sin?

So, what does this all mean? I think it says to us that we should be VERY careful of our associations! I think it also warns us about making assumptions (Balak). I think it reminds us that God has a plan and, that we either participate with that plan, or find ourselves in opposition to it (Lot)! I think it reminds us that sex, as good as it potentially is, can be very distracting and dangerous!

Father, help us to see clearly. By that I mean, help us to understand to stories we read in Your Word. And, as we understand, help us to learn to walk in Your ways and so please You!