Moab was the fertile land east of the Dead Sea. Scripture until this point has associated nothing but wickedness with the Moabites. Moab, the father of the Moabites, was the product of an incestuous relationship—Lot sleeping with one of his daughters (Genesis 19:37). Later, in Numbers 22:1 – 24:25, when God’s people were on their way to the Promised Land, Moab opposed them. Balak, king of Moab, tried unsuccessfully to get Balaam to bless Moab and curse Israel. Instead, Moab is cursed and Israel is blessed. Yahweh earlier forbade the Israelites from approaching Moabite territory (Deuteronomy 2:8–9). Now, however, the Lord brings Moab into Israelite territory because the latter had disobeyed the will of the Lord.