Moab can teach us something about Haiti.

Everyone is talking about the earthquake in Haiti. We are talking about the disaster. We are talking about the relief efforts. We are talking about the fall-out.

And we are talking about the spiritual side of what has taken place. Followers of Jesus are talking about it (many of which are doing more damage than good) but they are by no means alone.

Those who do not accept Jesus as the means to God are talking about as well and they are directing much of what they say towards Christians. They are saying a lot of things but much of them can be reduced to two simple questions:

1) Why did God let this happen?

2) Does God not love the people of Haiti?

Who can blame them? The questions are natural ones to ask and I am sure that many Christians would be lying if they said that they had not wondered the same things themselves.

I am going to attempt to deal with those two questions this morning in this post. I must admit that my efforts to do so are not really motivated by a desire to be "relevant" or to increase my blog "following" (is eleven not a lot?) but simply the outpouring of my time with God this morning.

In my own personal Bible reading (which you may or may not know is the catalyst for this blog) this morning I read Isaiah 16 and it has me marveling and looking to Haiti.

In Isaiah 16, God continues to promise the fall of the arrogant king of Moab. In chapter 15, God promised that because of the king's arrogance Moab would be laid waste and that the people would be devastated.

He predicted the people would wear sackcloth to show their despair and that they would raise a cry of desolation. He promised that the waters would be full of blood as the warring nation He used to bring about their destruction invaded.

In chapter 16, God declares once again that Moab owed its destruction to one thing--

We have heard of the pride of Moab--how prous he is!--of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence; in his idle boasting he is not right. Therefore let Moab wail for Moab, let everyone wail. (6-7a)

Let me bridge the gap over to what is happening modern-day in Haiti. Moab was destroyed for the arrogance of its king which presumably included arrogance before God.

Haiti was "destroyed" for...okay, I don't really know. No one does. The only thing Moab really teaches us here is that God has reasons for what He does (in the case of Moab) or allows (in the case of Haiti).

Really, I think that anyone who tries to answer Question #1 about Haiti is grasping at straws and quite possibly doing damage to the kingdom of God (here's looking at you Pat).

But what Moab can really teach us about Haiti has to do with Question #2, Does God love the people of Haiti?

At first glance it is tough to see how he could. Many people are dead because of an earthquake and God can stop earthquakes.

Let's go back to Moab for a minute. God claimed responsibility, in advance, for the destruction of that kingdom. He admits, in advance, to causing the people to wail and mourn. He says that because of his judgment the waters will be full of blood.

Did God love the people of Moab?

The answer to that question is a resounding YES. Let me show, from Isaiah 16, three things that prove that God loved the Moabites even as he was destroying their kingdom:

1) God commanded Israel to take care of the fleeing Moabites.

God was sending a warring nation to destroy Moab and war causes refugees. Refugees, by definition, are homeless wanderers who have been displaced by war. (unless of course they form themselves into a chart-topping pop trio, "Killing me softly with his song...")

In verses 3 and 4, God specifically commands the Israelites to keep the Moabites from being refugees by taking them into their own country.

Give counsel; grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; shelter the outcasts; do not reveal the fugitive; let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among them from the destroyer.

He tells Israel to hide them (make your shade like night), shelter them, and refuse to give them up the pursuing nation (do not reveal the fugitive).

Before the attack on Moab even begins God is orchestrating a safe haven among His people for the displaced Moabites.

2) God includes Moabites in his kingdom.

Not only does God command his people to give them refuge but he also says that there will be Moabites in his eternal kingdom.

when the oppressor is no more, and destruction has ceased, and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land, then a throne will be established in steadfast love...

God is speaking of the "throne" of the Messiah and that "throne" will be established because of his steadfast love that not only extends to Israel but also the people of Moab.

In other words, God's love for the Moabite people is revealed by his invitation for them to join His kingdom based on simple faith in Jesus Christ.

3) God is sending the Messiah for the Moabites as well.

And who will sit on that throne?

And on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.

The Messiah will sit on that throne. He will be the one from the tent of David. He will be the one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.

In other words, God is saying to the Moabites that when Jesus Christ comes (this was written long before Jesus was born) he wouldn't just be coming for Israel he would be coming for Moabites.

Let's review: God, motivated by His love for the Moabites, provides a refuge for them among His people, invites them to join His eternal kingdom, and promises to send them a new ruler His own Son Jesus Christ.

God might have been punishing their kingdom for the sin that indwelt it, but He still loved them.

So what does this mean for Haiti? I don't know if God caused the earthquake in Haiti or if he simply allowed it. I don't know what His reasons were for what happened.

But I do know that God loves the people of Haiti. I know that He invites them to join in his kingdom. I know that He sent a Messiah for them.

Does God love the people of Haiti?

If the Moabites who took his invitation were here right now they would say, "Yes!"