The Moabites were cursed primarily because their king, Balak, attempted to have a diviner named Balaam cast a curse upon the Israelites. This action, an act of hostility and opposition towards God's chosen people, led to divine judgment upon Moab.
The Events Leading to the Curse
The historical account details a significant confrontation during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. As the Israelites approached the land of Moab, King Balak grew fearful of their presence and numbers.
King Balak's Fear and Plot
- Fear of Israel: King Balak of Moab perceived the numerous Israelites as a threat to his kingdom and its people.
- Attempted Sorcery: Instead of engaging in direct warfare, Balak sought a supernatural solution. He hired Balaam, a renowned diviner, with the intention of having him pronounce a curse on the Israelites. The belief was that such a curse would weaken them, making them vulnerable or driving them away.
God's Intervention and Blessing
Despite Balak's persistent efforts and promises of reward, God intervened directly in Balaam's mission:
- Divine Prohibition: God initially warned Balaam not to go with Balak's men and not to curse Israel, as they were blessed.
- Forced Blessing: Even after Balaam eventually went, God controlled his utterances. Each time Balaam attempted to curse Israel, he was compelled by God to speak blessings instead, prophesying greatness and prosperity for the Israelites.
- Reversal of Intent: This divine intervention completely thwarted Balak's plan. What was intended as a curse became a series of powerful blessings for Israel.
The Consequence: A Divine Curse on Moab
As a direct result of Balak's hostile intentions and the Moabites' attempt to harm Israel through spiritual means, God pronounced a curse upon Balak and his entire people, the Moabites. This curse manifested in their exclusion from the assembly of the Lord and a general disfavor, signifying divine judgment for their actions.
The Moabites' curse stemmed from their malicious intent and active efforts to oppose God's people, even resorting to supernatural means to achieve their harmful objectives.
