Isaiah 16: The Burden of Moab (Part 2)

I. Moab's Hope (1-5)

This chapter continues the prophecy on the destruction of the Moabites by the Assyrians. 

The Moabites used to be a tribute to Israel during the times of David, but has rebelled against Judah after the death of Ahab. But now the surviving Moabites appealed to Zion (Jerusalem) for refuge, by sending tributes with a lamb (probably symbolizing livestocks.)  (16:1) 

The Moabites were described as "fleeing birds": "Like fleeing birds, like a scattered nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon." (16:2)

The Jews were asked to aid the Moabites in seeking refuge and shelter: "let the outcasts of Moab

sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer." (16:4) 

Isaiah prophesies that when the oppressors are gone, "then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.” (16:5)   This gives hope to both Israel and Moab that Jesus will reign at the end. 

II. Moab's Pride (6-12)

The Moabites deserved the calamity because of their pride, arrogance and insolence (16:6). so they will be repaid with mourning and will lose everything. 

With sadness, God lamented over the end of Moab's glory:

"Therefore I weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah; I drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh; for over your summer fruit and your harvest the shout has ceased.

And joy and gladness are taken away from the fruitful field, and in the vineyards no songs are sung,

no cheers are raised; no treader treads out wine in the presses; 

I have put an end to the shouting. Therefore my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab, and my inmost self for Kir-hareseth.: (16:9-11)

III. Moab's End (13-14)

God said that Moab's effort to "go to their high places" to plea to their gods will be a waste of time. Moab has a chief god called "Chemosh", whom they sacrifice children to. One of Chemosh' altar was built by Solomon outside of Jerusalem.  

Instead, God decreed that within 3 years, Moab will cease to exist as a nation, and the remaining citizens left will be very few. (v13)

Isaiah 15 : The Burden Of Moab (Part 1)

I. Introduction

Chapters 15 and 16 speaks about an Oracle concerning Moab.  Based on Genesis 19:30-38, Moab's ancestor was Lot and his elder daughter in an incestious relationship after the aftermath of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. His younger daughter also had an affair with him and from there came Ben-Ammi, who became ancestor to the Ammonites. 

Credit: See Footnotes

The Moabites and Ammonites warred with each other and eventually took territory on the right side of Jordan river, with Ammon at the upper part and Moab at the lower parts next to the Dead Sea. 

God renewed his covenant with the Israelites at Moab before the Israelites entered the "promised land" (Deuteronomy 29:1). Moses was buried in an unknown location in Moab. 

Moab was subjugated by David and became a tributary of Israel (2 Sam 8:2).  However after the death of King Ahab, Moab refused to pay tribute and went into war with Judah.  With the help of Prophet Elisha, Moab was defeated at Ziz, near En Gedi. (2 Kings 3)

The chief god of Moabites were Chemosh, and human sacrifices were offered to Chemosh. (Jer 48:7,13; 2 Kings 3:27).  King Solomon built a "high place" for Chemosh near Jerusalem which God calls "the detestation of Moab" (1 Kings 11:7). It was only destroyed during the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 23:13). 

According to II Kings, at times, especially in dire peril, human sacrifices were offered to Chemosh, as by Mesha, who gave up his son and heir to him.[27] Nevertheless, King Solomon built a "high place" for Chemosh on the hill before Jerusalem,[28] which the Bible describes as "this detestation of Moab". The altar existed during Isaiah's time and was not destroyed until the reign of Josiah (641-610 BC).

II. The Burden Of Moab (v1-4)

The fall of Moab was prophesied, starting with Moab cities in the north. The Moabites flee to their temples to plea for mercy, but their gods cannot help them. (15:2) 

There was mourning everywhere, in sackcloth and the shaving of hair and beard. (15:3) 

Heshbon and Elealeh were cities of Ammon, at the northern border of Moab. The cries of the Ammonites were heard all the way to the center of the nation, in Jahaz.  The Moabites were terrified of the viciousness of the Assyrians. (15:4) 

III. The Lamentation Over Moab (v5-9)

As the verses progress, it describes the advancement of Assyria to the center of the country, such as Eglaim and Dibon. (15:9) 

Isaiah reflected God's sadness for the people of Moab as they flee all the way to their southernmost city, Zoar. (15:5) They took whatever little that was left of their food, and flee to the "Brook  of the willows", which is at the southern border of Moab, next to Edom. 

Footnotes:

* By Kingdoms_of_Israel_and_Judah_map_830.svg: *Oldtidens_Israel_&_Judea.svg: FinnWikiNoderivative work: Richardprins (talk)derivative work: Richardprins (talk) - Kingdoms_of_Israel_and_Judah_map_830.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10876701

Isaiah 14 - Taunt of Babylon

I. Jacob Restored (v1-2)

This refers to the end of the 70 year captivity of the Jews by Babylon. God will have compassion on Israel and restore them to Jerusalem. Despite what evil and idolatry Israel had committed, God was faithful to choose them again. God never gives up on us, even when He has to discipline us!

II. The taunting song against Babylon (v3-8)

There would be great joy when their oppressor is overthrown. They can now "rest from pain and turmoil and hard service" that their slave master caused to them. (14:3)

Babylon was not just cruel to the Jews, but to other nations they conquered as well. Thus the "whole earth is at rest and quiet, and break forth into singing" (14:7) Even the trees rejoiced for Babylonians were cutting down the cypresses and cedars to build their palaces and cities. (This should be the favorite verse for forest conservationists!)

III. The fall of the mighty (9-23)

In this part of the passage, some theologians believe that this prophecy has a dual fulfillment. In actual history, we know it was King Belshazzar who was defeated and overthrown by Cyrus. The passage could very well refer to him in a poetic, even perhaps in an exaggerated way.

However the passage also fits the description of Satan. Even "Babylon" was used symbolically by Apostle John in Revelation to refer to unrighteous nations that are rebellious and commit idolatry, and were influenced by Satan.

Satan was referred to as the "morning star, son of the dawn" (14:12; NIV), which plays on his name "Lucifer", which means "light bringer." In the Roman era, Lucifer was the name of planet Venus the morning star.

Interestingly, Jesus also referred to himself as "the bright morning star.” (Rev 22:16).  But Jesus is the "BRIGHT" star. He was the creator and the source of light. Satan was only a creature, and his light, at best is only a reflection. Satan was ambitious for something he cannot attain, nor had any gratitude for his high position among the angels. We ourselves are a "light of the world", but we are reflection of Christ's own righteousness and love, and only to Him should we honor and glorify.

CS Lewis said, "Pride is the sin that made the devil the devil." In 14:13-14, Satan's essence of pride was described as the five "I wills". Satan wants to be above all other angels ("above the stars of God") and have a throne "in the far reaches of the north", where gods were said to sit in Canaanite mythology.  Even being a god was not enough; ultimately, he wants to be in the same position as "the Most High", to rule the world.  However, instead of being lifted up, he was brought down to the far reaches of Sheol.  (Revelation 20:10)

What's the essence of pride? It is about the "me" and "I", as in the song "I did it my way." Today, people are focused on doing anything to get above their peers and to attain the highest "seat" in the profession, in politics, or even in religion. Some wants money, others want power and so to speak, "to sit on a throne".  Some are quietly proud, while others holds nothing back in their arrogant words. While not many would admit they want to take over God, but all wants to run their own life and be their own "gods."  Sadly, they will end up following Satan's downfall.

Paul summarized the evil acts of arrogance: "Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too." (Rom 1:28-32)

Verses 16 to 20 continues the taunt, calling to the fact that once we are dead, we are no better than anyone else no matter how important or how powerful we were when alive. They may have their own way now, but God will have His day too!

You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’” (Malachi 3:14-15)

However, such people will not escape. As with Babylon, God will cut them off so that no remnants will remain, so that they will never rise again. (v21-22)


IV.  The Oracle against Assyria (v24-27)

Isaiah returns back to the threat at hand, which is the Assyrians. It's another assurance that God will end the Assyrian advancement at His mountain, which refers to the surroundings of Jerusalem.  

This prophecy was fulfilled in 701 BC when there Lord sent an angel to kill 185000 Assyrian soldiers as they camped outside Jerusalem, sieging the city. The king of Assyria retreated and had never become a yoke or a burden to Judah again. (14:25) 

Everything that God has said he will do will come through. We have the confidence that God is in total control.  "For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?" (14:27) 

V.  The oracle against Philistia (28-32)

Isaiah received the Oracle against Philistia in the year that King Ahaz died, which is around 715 BC.  The Philistines were in power when the Joshua came into Canaan and after many battles, until they were subdued by King David. 

It warned Philistia not to happy that the "rod that struck you is broken", possibly referring to the subjugation of Israel has been destroyed by Assyria.  Ther reason is that the "serpent", possibly meaning Assyria, will send  another King (Sennacherib) who will come down from the North and invade the whole Sinai Peninsula. (14:29)

The only place that is a refuge and where people will escape Assyria is Zion (Jerusalem), a city whose founder is God. (14:32)