Vv. 1-3 God punishes Ammon for taking possession of Gad, his people. God considers Gas as stolen by their god, Malcam. In the ancient world, battles between nations were considered as the battles between their gods. God says that their god Malcam will go into exile with his priests. On that day, Ammon will be a mound of ruins and Israel will restore her land again. This spiritual warfare continues even today (Eph. 6:12). Rely only on God, who eventually restores his people. Even though he allows loss and pain, stand against the temptations placed in front of us.
V. 6 God gives the promise of restoration to the Ammonites like Egypt and Moab. Anyone who repents after he is punished will be forgiven. The prophecy of cruel judgment is the strong appeal to hate my sin and to return to the Lord.
What lesson is God teaching me?
V. 4 All throughout the Bible there are warnings about the dangers of riches. One danger is that one can think they can resolve any issue with money if they are rich. But that is not true. We cannot buy salvation with any amount of money.
Vv. 3,4 Ammon also relied on their fruitful valleys and riches. Their god, Malcam was also the god of prosperity and riches. Even though she lived among many nations, she would boast by asking, “Who will attack me?” Have my living conditions (money, school background, position) made me proud, or grateful to experience God’s richness?
I want to live as the truly wise person who fears God alone.
