Monarchal Reign of Moab
Moab, known as modern-day Jordan, is one of the most ancient cultural nations in the world. A major geographical feature of the region is the Dead Sea, which borders the modern-day country of Jordan.Moab had a long monarchal lineage and was the companion state to Ammon. According to the Bible, Moab was one of the children of Lot through his concubine, and the descendant of Abraham. Moab is often mentioned in the Old Testament due to its proximity to the Holy Land, and the vast wealth of natural resources available to it.
Rise and Fall of Moab
Moab prospered during the period of the Judges, when it was ruled by kings such as Eglon, who was eventually defeated by Israel’s Judge, Ehud. During the time of the Monarchy, Moab became extremely wealthy and powerful under King Omri from the House of Omri, which is mentioned in the Bible. Moab also had successful diplomatic relations with Israel and Judah, as evidenced by the alliances between King Ahab and King Mesha. It wasn’t until after the reign of King Mesha that Moab lost its influence and power, weakened by various battles and conquest by Assyrian forces.
Bible and Moab
The Bible talks quite extensively about Moab with much of the literature being not only historically significant but also illustrating the Prophet’s prophetic visions. For example, the sixth-century prophets Elijah and Elisha both prophesied the destruction of Moab, which is believed by scholars to be fulfilled when Assyria invaded and subjugated the whole region. Additionally, three of the twelve Minor Prophets are attributed with visions about Moab, namely Amos, Isaiah and Jeremiah, who warned of Moab’s destruction.
Israel and Moab
The interactions between Israel and Moab in the Bible were much more extensive than the simple destruction narrative. Moab and Israel were often at war with one another, oscillating between peace treaties, truce agreements and military conquests. At one point, Israel’s King Solomon even entered into a covenant with Moab’s King Mesha, creating a peace treaty that would last centuries. Later, however, Moab became increasingly hostile towards Israel during the reign of Ahab, culminating in the infamous Battle of Qarqar in 853BC.
Cultural Heritage of Moab
Despite its tumultuous past, Moab was capable of producing impressive works of art, as evidenced by the Moabite Stone, an ornate ceramic pedestal stone created between 850-850BC. The Moabite Stone contains the longest extant inscriptions of the ancient Near East and is inscribed with the account of King Mesha of Moab and is currently kept in the Louvre in Paris. Additionally, the region has since become a major archaeological and archaeological site.
The Expulsion of Moab
Moab’s history is not all doom and gloom, though. After being conquered by the Assyrians, Moab managed to re-establish itself as a regional power, which even briefly captured Jerusalem during the reign of King Hoshea. However, its power was short-lived as the Assyrians once again invaded and conquered the region in 607BC, ending any hope of Moab’s prosperity in the Bible. After their expulsion, the Moabites settled in a region known as the Transjordan, which is now known as Jordan.
Moab in the Modern Era
Moab has since been relegated to a footnote in history but the region remains an important part of the cultural heritage of the Middle East. Though it is not officially recognised as an independent nation, Moab remains an important cultural centre and is known for its beautiful landscapes and historical sites. Today, the region is a popular tourist destination, with many of its attractions being managed by the Jordanian Department of Antiquities. Despite its decline, Moab’s legacy remains as one of the most influential kingdoms of the ancient world.
Relationship Between God and Moab
The Bible often portrays God’s relationship with Moab as one of divine judgement and punishment, yet there is also evidence of God’s benevolence towards the Moabites. In Numbers 22, Balak, the king of Moab, sought the help of Balaam to curse the Israelites, but God prevented this from happening. Furthermore, God spared both Moab and Ammon from Assyrian conquest, showing his mercy towards them. This is in stark contrast to the way God treats other nations, such as the Philistines, whom He had no reluctance in punishing for their actions.
Modern Relevance of Moab
Though Moab is no longer a political entity, its culture and history remain prevalent in the modern-day world. It is well known for its role in the Bible and has been a symbol for justice, truth and stability for centuries. Many prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. have linked the modern-day struggle for civil rights to Moab as an example of how individuals can seek justice and freedom in the face of oppressive forces. As such, Moab is still very relevant to today’s struggles and serves as an inspiration to those who seek justice and freedom.
Biblical Interpretation of Moab’s Destruction
The destruction of Moab by the Assyrians is often used by scholars to interpret the book of Deuteronomy, which discusses the conquest of the Promised Land. According to the book, the Israelites were asked by God to take possession of the land of Canaan by destroying the existing cities and populations. The destruction of Moab by Assyria serves as a comparison to the conquest of Canaan and gives insight into how the Israelites were expected to act.
Moabite Religion
Moab was unique in that they practiced an ancient polytheistic religion which differed drastically from the monotheism practiced by Israelites. According to archaeological evidence, when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they encountered numerous deities and cults of worship, among them being Chemosh, the main deity of the Moabites. Though it had its roots in the Ancient Near East, Moabite religion was heavily influenced by the worship of Baal and other fertility gods.
Anti-Moab Prejudice
As a result of their centuries-long rivalry, Moab and Israel were often depicted in the Bible as two opposing forces. Concurrently, a great deal of anti-Moabite prejudice existed among the Israelites, and this is illustrated in the Bible. In some cases, Moabites were viewed as evil and treacherous, which caused the Israelites to view them as enemies rather than potential allies. In the Bible, even after their destruction, Moab was still used as a symbol of destruction and wickedness.
Moab’s Continuing Legacy
Despite its destruction, Moab continues to have an impact on the world and its legacy remains relevant to this day. The ingenuity and accomplishments of the Moabites was not lost upon their contemporaries, who recognised the kingdom’s grandeur and celebrated their impressive works of art. And while they may not have achieved the status of other ancient civilizations, their legacy lives on in the collective memory of the world.
