Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites. Woe to you, O Moab!The word "woe" is a powerful expression of lament and impending judgment. In Hebrew, it is often translated from "hoy," a term used by prophets to announce divine judgment. Moab, a nation descended from Lot, often found itself in conflict with Israel. This declaration of woe signifies a divine pronouncement against Moab, highlighting the seriousness of their impending doom. Historically, Moab was a neighbor and sometimes adversary of Israel, and this lamentation underscores the consequences of their opposition to God's people. You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh!
"Destroyed" in Hebrew is "abad," meaning to perish or be lost. The people of Chemosh, the national deity of Moab, are depicted as facing total ruin. Chemosh was a god to whom the Moabites offered sacrifices, sometimes even human. This phrase indicates that reliance on Chemosh has led to their downfall, as their god could not save them from divine judgment. The destruction of Moab serves as a reminder of the futility of idolatry and the sovereignty of the God of Israel. He has given up his sons as fugitives
The phrase "given up" suggests a relinquishing or surrendering, indicating that the Moabites' own god, Chemosh, has failed them. The term "fugitives" implies a state of being on the run, without a home or refuge. This reflects the dire consequences of Moab's rebellion against God, resulting in their people being scattered and displaced. It serves as a poignant reminder of the instability and insecurity that comes from turning away from the true God. and his daughters as captives
The word "captives" denotes being taken prisoner or held in bondage. This phrase highlights the complete subjugation and humiliation of Moab, as even their daughters are not spared from captivity. In ancient times, the capture of women was a sign of total defeat and disgrace. This serves as a stark warning of the consequences of defying God's will and the inevitable downfall that follows. to Sihon king of the Amorites
Sihon was a powerful Amorite king who had previously defeated Moab and taken their land. The mention of Sihon here emphasizes the historical reality of Moab's defeat and the fulfillment of God's judgment. The Amorites were known for their strength and military prowess, and their victory over Moab illustrates the fulfillment of divine prophecy and the execution of God's justice. This serves as a testament to God's control over nations and His ability to use even pagan kings to accomplish His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. MoabA nation descended from Lot, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is portrayed as a people under judgment in this passage. 2. ChemoshThe national deity of the Moabites, often associated with child sacrifice. The verse implies that Chemosh has failed to protect his people. 3. SihonThe king of the Amorites who defeated Moab and took their land. His victory over Moab is seen as a judgment from God. 4. AmoritesA powerful group of people in the ancient Near East, often in conflict with Israel and other nations. 5. Fugitives and CaptivityThe Moabites are described as being in a state of defeat and subjugation, highlighting their vulnerability and the failure of their god, Chemosh. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryThe failure of Chemosh to protect Moab serves as a reminder of the futility of trusting in false gods. Believers are called to place their trust in the one true God. Divine JudgmentGod's judgment on Moab illustrates His sovereignty over all nations. It serves as a warning that God holds all people accountable for their actions. Historical Context and RelevanceUnderstanding the historical context of Moab's defeat helps us see the broader account of God's plan and His dealings with nations. God's SovereigntyThe passage highlights God's control over history and His ability to use even pagan nations to accomplish His purposes. Lessons from Moab's DownfallReflecting on Moab's downfall encourages believers to examine their own lives for areas where they may be relying on "false gods" or idols. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the defeat of Moab teach us about the consequences of idolatry and turning away from God? 2. How can we apply the lessons of Moab's judgment to our own lives, particularly in terms of where we place our trust? 3. In what ways does the account of Moab and Chemosh challenge us to evaluate the "idols" in our own culture and personal lives? 4. How does understanding the historical context of Moab's defeat enhance our understanding of God's sovereignty and justice? 5. What other biblical examples can you find where God uses one nation to bring judgment upon another, and what can we learn from these instances? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 11Jephthah recounts the history of Israel's interactions with Moab and the Amorites, providing context for the ongoing conflicts. 1 Kings 11Solomon's idolatry includes the worship of Chemosh, showing the influence of Moabite religion on Israel. Isaiah 15-16Prophecies against Moab, echoing the themes of judgment and destruction found in Numbers 21:29. Jeremiah 48A detailed prophecy against Moab, reinforcing the message of divine judgment and the futility of trusting in false gods. People Ammonites, Amon, Amorites, Arad, Canaanites, Chemosh, Israelites, Moses, Og, SihonPlaces Ar, Arad, Arnon, Bamoth, Bashan, Beer, Dedan, Dibon, Edom, Edrei, Egypt, Heshbon, Hormah, Iye-abarim, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jazer, King's Highway, Mattanah, Medeba, Moab, Mount Hor, Nahaliel, Negeb, Nophah, Oboth, Pisgah, Red Sea, Suphah, Valley of Zered, WahebTopics Amorite, Amorites, Captives, Captivity, Chemosh, Daughters, Destroyed, Destruction, Escape, Escaped, Fate, Flight, Fugitives, Hands, Hast, Moab, O, Perished, Prisoners, Ruined, Sihon, Sons, Sorrow, Undone, Wo, Woe, YoursDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 21:29 5319 fugitives
8747 false gods Numbers 21:24-35 5572 sword Library The Poison and the Antidote
'And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to compare the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7. Therefore …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureMan's Ruin and God's Remedy
Man has very many wants, and he should be grateful whenever the least of them is supplied. But he has one want which overtops every other: it is the want of bread. Give him raiment, house him well, decorate and adorn him, yet if you give him not bread, his body faints, he dies of hunger. Hence it is that while the earth when it is tilled is made to bring forth many things that minister unto the comfort and luxury of men, yet man is wise enough to understand that since bread is his chief want, he …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 The Disciple, -- Master, in These Days Some Learned Men and their Followers Regard Thy...
The Disciple,--Master, in these days some learned men and their followers regard Thy atonement and the redemption by blood as meaningless and futile, and say that Christ was only a great teacher and example for our spiritual life, and that salvation and eternal happiness depend on our own efforts and good deeds. The Master,--1. Never forget that spiritual and religious ideas are connected less with the head than with the heart, which is the temple of God, and when the heart is filled with the presence …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet Messiah Suffering and Wounded for Us
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ..... He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. W hen our Lord was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and conversed with Him. Had we been informed of the interview only, we should probably have desired to know the subject of their conversation, as we might reasonably suppose it turned upon very interesting and important …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Nations of the South-East
Israel was cut in two by the Jordan. The districts east of the Jordan were those that had first been conquered; it was from thence that the followers of Joshua had gone forth to possess themselves of Canaan. But this division of the territory was a source of weakness. The interests of the tribes on the two sides of the river were never quite the same; at times indeed they were violently antagonistic. When the disruption of the monarchy came after the death of Solomon, Judah was the stronger for the …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! G reat and marvellous are the works of the LORD God almighty! We live in the midst of them, and the little impression they make upon us, sufficiently proves our depravity. He is great in the very smallest; and there is not a plant, flower, or insect, but bears the signature of infinite wisdom and power. How sensibly then should we be affected by the consideration of the Whole , if sin had not blinded our understandings, and hardened …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 The Two Classes.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray."--Luke xvii. 10. I now want to speak of two classes: First, those who do not feel their need of a Saviour who have not been convinced of sin by the Spirit; and Second, those who are convinced of sin and cry, "What must I do to be saved?" All inquirers can be ranged under two heads: they have either the spirit of the Pharisee, or the spirit of the publican. If a man having the spirit of the Pharisee comes into an after-meeting, I know of no better portion …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 21:29 NIVNumbers 21:29 NLTNumbers 21:29 ESVNumbers 21:29 NASBNumbers 21:29 KJV
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