Deuteronomy 2:9 Then the LORD said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any part of their land. I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.”
One of the most challenging questions we face in this world is the question of evil. As people of faith, we have full trust in God’s plan. That said, it can be so difficult when we see wicked people riding high and unaccountable. Remember that God’s plan is a mystery to us. Think about your own life. You have probably had some tough times when you couldn’t understand what God was doing. But as is often the case, years later you see what God had in mind and understand that what He put you through was for your best. The same is true when we see evil succeeding. We must trust that God’s plan will eventually reveal the good that will emerge. Moses was recounting Israel’s journey in the desert. He recalled what God said to him as they approached Moabite territory: “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any part of their land. I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.’ After God told Moses to attack Midian because of their role in leading Israel into sin, it was a natural assumption on Moses’ part that he should attack Moab as well. God’s plan for good included the future birth of Ruth the Moabite, who would leave her nation to join Israel. This would lead to the birth of her great-grandson King David and the entire royal line leading to the Messiah. No matter how wicked Moab was and how much they deserved to be punished, God’s plan for the future meant that they must be spared. Moses needed to trust in God’s plan for good. Pray for the defeat of the wicked, also let God know that you trust in His plan for good.