#73. God’s Judgment on Moab
So when they came to the camp of Israel, Israel rose up and attacked the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they entered their land, killing the Moabites. Then they destroyed the cities, and each man threw a stone on every good piece of land and filled it; and they stopped up all the springs of water and cut down all the good trees. But they left the stones of Kir-Haraseth intact. However, the slingers surrounded and attacked it.
II Kings 3:24-25 NKJV
God’s judgment on the wicked continues to be a less than pleasant topic in most places today. Some churches seem to outrightly ignore it because it does not produce the good feelings they are so hungry to generate. “But the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…” (Rom. 1:18).
Remember, it was the Lord in verses 19-20 who told the allies to attack every fortified city, every choice city, to cut down every good tree, to stop up every spring of water, and ruin every good piece of land with stones. It wasn’t Jehoram’s plan for all we know he just wanted his lamb and wool tributes back. God called for the destruction of the whole country.
First, the destruction of the army took place. Have you ever been looking forward to a great event taking place only to see the opposite actually happen? I have seen this on a few occasions and it is demoralizing. The Moabite army expected to be looting and pillaging by lunch. Instead, they found a very much alive army that rose up and attacked, causing them to rapidly retreat.
Next they ravaged the land. The idea here was not merely military defeat but an utter destruction and humiliation of the whole of Moab. The rock walls were torn down and thrown into the farmers’ fields so that the cities were left undefended and the ground was left unusable for farming.
Finally, they stopped up the springs or wells of water so that water would be unavailable to drink and they cut down the trees so that they could neither eat their fruit nor build homes and cities from their wood. The judgment of God was great and terrible. Only one fortified city was left intact, the fortress Kir-Haraseth, and this is where the king of Moab and his remaining soldiers fled for safety. The allies quickly besieged this city and the slingers attacked it.
We must not fool ourselves into thinking God’s wrath will not be poured out on all unrighteousness. To promote and believe the full counsel of God includes promoting and believing in the wrath and judgment of God. The Lord has judged in the past, is judging in the present, and Jesus even refers to the day of His future return as Judgment Day.* Do not fear the wicked, this day of judgment is coming. Do not be wicked, the day of judgment is coming. Escape the wrath of God on that day of judgment, trust in Jesus Christ and repent of your sins.**
*Matthew 12:36, Mark 6:11, I John 4:17; Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:9, 3:7.
**See Westminster Shorter Catechism Q&A #85.
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