Their family beginnings
Genesis traces the Moabites back to Moab, the firstborn son of Lot. Lot was Abraham’s nephew, so the Moabites and Israelites had a shared wider family history, even though Israel came through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 11:27, Genesis 19:36-38). Moab’s birth followed a sad and broken episode in Lot’s family. Scripture records it honestly, without treating human failure as the end of the story.
When Israel travelled towards Canaan, God specifically told them not to take Moab’s land. He had given that territory to Lot’s descendants. So, despite later tensions, Moab was not simply an unknown enemy on Israel’s border (Deuteronomy 2:9).
And the Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession.
Where Moab was
Moab lay east of the Dead Sea, across the Jordan from much of Israel’s land. It included a high plateau, fertile areas, and towns near major routes. That location made Moab a close neighbour, not a distant people (Deuteronomy 2:8).
Near the end of Israel’s wilderness journey, Israel defeated Sihon the Amorite and occupied cities that Sihon had previously taken from Moab (Numbers 21:23-25, Numbers 21:26-30). Israel’s camp was then near Moab, which helps explain why Moab’s king became alarmed by them.
Conflict and fear
Balak, king of Moab, saw Israel’s large camp and feared what might happen to his people. He sent for Balaam and asked him to curse Israel (Numbers 22:2-6). But Balaam could not overturn God’s purpose. He later explained that God had commanded him to bless, not reverse that blessing (Numbers 23:19-20).
There were painful failures on Israel’s side too. Some Israelites were drawn into worship connected with Baal-peor through relationships with Moabite women, and God judged Israel’s unfaithfulness (Numbers 25:1-3). Later, during the time of the judges, King Eglon of Moab oppressed Israel until God used Ehud to bring deliverance (Judges 3:12-15). These events describe conflict between nations, but they do not make every Moabite person alike.
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
Ruth and a larger story
Ruth gives a remarkably different picture. She was a Moabite widow who refused to abandon her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth chose to go with Naomi to Bethlehem and committed herself to Naomi’s people and God (Ruth 1:16-17).
There, Ruth married Boaz and became the mother of Obed, David’s grandfather (Ruth 4:13-17, Ruth 4:21-22). Matthew includes her in the family line of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Her story shows that God’s mercy was never limited by nationality. A Moabite woman who turned to Israel’s God became part of the story that leads to David and, ultimately, Christ.
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.