God Rewards Loyality

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

The complex weave of human relationships unveils that God remains loyal to those who love Him and is committed to rewarding loyalty within friendships and family bonds. The Moab stories are significant in understanding this.

The Moabites were descendants of Lot, the nephew of Abraham. They lived east of Israel. As a nation, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah wrote about their disloyalty to their neighbor and their family – Israel.

Unlike Abraham with Lot, they were hostile to Israel, and God warned them. Jeremiah 48 is entirely devoted to the prophecy against Moab. It includes details about the impending destruction of Moab’s cities, its people’s cries of sorrow, and the reasons for God’s judgment. Ezekiel also pronounces judgments against Moab in Ezekiel 25:8-11. These prophecies emphasize God’s vengeance against Moab for their taunting and rejoicing over the downfall of Israel.

One thing that shined through, with the warning God promised to deliver those who yield to his will. While there are prophecies of sorrow and judgment, there are also promises of restoration and future blessings for Moab. For example: Jeremiah 48:47 includes a promise of future restoration. Isaiah 16:14 mentions that Moab’s exiles would be gathered and restored.

Historically, the exact timeline and details of Moab’s decline are not well-documented. But the Bible does contain prophecies of judgment against Moab. Moab did face periods of conquest and occupation by other regional powers, including the Assyrians and Babylonians. After the Babylonian conquest of the region, Moab’s prominence in history diminished. In subsequent centuries, the region inhabited by the Moabites became part of various empires, including the Persian and Roman empires.

The promised restoration was fulfilled in the lives of Naomi and Ruth in the sense that they experienced God’s blessing and provision in the later part of the story. Through Ruth’s marriage to Boaz, they found a place of security and hope, and ultimately, their family lineage played a role in the ancestry of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

In the genealogy of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Moab is mentioned. This genealogy traces the lineage of Jesus back to King David and ultimately to Abraham. In Matthew 1:5, it states: “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse.”

This reference to Boaz and Ruth is significant because Ruth, as mentioned earlier, was a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David. The inclusion of Ruth in Jesus’ genealogy in the New Testament highlights the idea that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Messianic line and that God’s plan of redemption extends to people of various backgrounds, including Moabites.

There is a sense of irony in the story of Abraham, Lot, and their descendants. Abraham’s loyalty and generosity initially played a role in helping Lot during difficult times, as Abraham allowed Lot to choose the land he wanted. Abraham’s loyalty and kindness were evident in his actions. Lot’s descendants, the Moabites and Ammonites, are believed to have originated from his relationship with his daughters following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The story of Ruth and Naomi showcases the power of faith, loyalty, and trust in God. It serves as an individual example of how faith and commitment can lead to personal transformation and blessings, even in challenging circumstances.

Ruth loyality was exemplary!
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'” Ruth 1:16 it illustrates loyalty and faithfulness between friends and family.

How about David and Jonathan? Their deep friendship is often cited as an example of loyalty and love in the Bible. Jonathan supported David despite the enmity between his father, Saul, and David. in 2 Samuel 9, David asked, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

Paul wants us to encourage you to see the qualities of love, kindness, and forgiveness within relationships, which are essential for loyalty and harmony.

Loyalty and Faithfulness are not only the cornerstone of our relationship with God but also the bedrock of our interactions with one another.

Kay Alli