Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.
Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kir–hareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.
Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir–haresh.
And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.
This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
But now the Lord hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.
Isaiah 16, nestled within a series of oracles against foreign nations, focuses on Moab. The preceding chapter (Isaiah 15) sets the stage, depicting an enemy invasion that sends Moabites fleeing for their lives. Isaiah 16 unveils their desperate plea for refuge and the Lord's response, a mix of impending judgment and a glimmer of messianic hope. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and the enduring promise of a righteous King. Keywords: Isaiah 16
Seeking Shelter: A Lamb for Zion (Isaiah 16:1-5)
The chapter opens with a picture of Moabite refugees in dire straits. Driven from their homes, they seek asylum in Judah. Verse 1 suggests a symbolic act: sending "lambs to the ruler of the land, to the mountain of Daughter Zion," a clear reference to Jerusalem. This can be interpreted as a tribute, a "landlord's lamb," offered to the ruler of Judah in exchange for protection. This act echoes historical precedents, such as King Mesha of Moab sending lambs to King Ahab of Israel.
The Moabites paint a vivid picture of their plight. They describe their women fleeing across the fords of the Arnon River, comparing their desperate escape to birds scattered from a disturbed nest. This imagery underscores the chaos and vulnerability of their situation. They implore Judah to offer counsel, justice, and shelter from their oppressors, begging them not to betray their location to the enemy (Isaiah 16:1-3).
The plea for refuge extends beyond mere physical safety. The speaker, likely a representative of Moab, expresses hope that Judah will provide a haven until the "oppressor is no more" (Isaiah 16:4). Intriguingly, the plea includes a messianic reference: "a throne will be established in love; in it one will sit faithfully in the tent of David, judging and seeking justice and being diligent in righteousness" (Isaiah 16:5). This verse transcends the immediate crisis, pointing towards a future kingdom of peace and justice, a kingdom ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This echoes Isaiah's earlier prophecies (Isaiah 2, 9, 11) concerning the coming Messiah.
The Root of the Problem: Pride and Arrogance (Isaiah 16:6-7)
Despite the plea for help and the glimmer of messianic hope, Isaiah doesn't shy away from addressing the underlying issue: Moab's pride. The prophet declares, "We have heard of the pride of Moab—how very proud!—of his haughtiness and his arrogance and his rage; his empty boasts are false" (Isaiah 16:6). This pride, arrogance, and insolence are identified as the root cause of their impending downfall. Their boasting about their wealth and abundance is exposed as "empty words" because it can all be taken away in a single night. This emphasis on pride serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that humility is essential for true security and lasting blessing.
Isaiah calls for mourning and lamentation, urging Moab to "wail" and "howl" over their losses, specifically the destruction of their vineyards and the loss of their renowned raisin cakes (Isaiah 16:7). This mourning highlights the devastating impact of the coming judgment on every aspect of Moabite life.
A Land Laid Waste (Isaiah 16:8-11)
The prophet vividly describes the devastation that will befall Moab's fertile lands. He focuses on the vineyards of Heshbon and Sibmah, once known for their abundant yields and widespread distribution of raisin cakes and wine. Isaiah uses a powerful metaphor, describing how the vine's branches once reached far and wide, even across the Dead Sea (Isaiah 16:8). However, this prosperity is about to end. The invading army will strike down the vines' branches, bringing an end to the joyful harvest celebrations.
Isaiah himself joins in the lament, expressing deep sorrow for the impending destruction. He mourns alongside Jazer for the loss of the grape harvest and the cessation of joyful shouting. The prophet's personal grief underscores the severity of the situation and the profound impact of judgment. He says, "Therefore my heart shall wail like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir Heres" (Isaiah 16:11).
The Inevitable End: Judgment in Three Years (Isaiah 16:12-14)
The oracle concludes with a somber pronouncement: Moab's prayers to their god Chemosh will be futile. No matter how much they exhaust themselves in their efforts, their false god will remain silent and powerless to prevent the coming judgment.
Isaiah emphasizes the certainty and imminence of the prophecy, stating that it has existed for some time. However, the Lord has now revealed that it will come to pass within three years (Isaiah 16:14). This specific timeframe underscores the urgency of the message and the inevitability of the judgment. As history reveals, the Assyrians did indeed come, and Moab was swept into the "dustbin of history," a testament to the accuracy of Isaiah's prophecy and the consequences of rejecting the Lord. The final blow would come soon, within three years (Isaiah 16:14). Sennacherib would be destroyed himself (16:4).
Isaiah 16 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and the importance of seeking refuge in the Lord. While the chapter focuses on the judgment of Moab, it also offers a glimmer of hope in the messianic prophecy of a righteous King who will establish a throne of love and justice. This dual message of judgment and hope is a recurring theme in Isaiah and underscores the importance of both repentance and faith.
Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.
Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kir–hareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.
Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir–haresh.
And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.
This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
But now the Lord hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.
Isaiah 16, nestled within a series of oracles against foreign nations, focuses on Moab. The preceding chapter (Isaiah 15) sets the stage, depicting an enemy invasion that sends Moabites fleeing for their lives. Isaiah 16 unveils their desperate plea for refuge and the Lord's response, a mix of impending judgment and a glimmer of messianic hope. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and the enduring promise of a righteous King. Keywords: Isaiah 16
Seeking Shelter: A Lamb for Zion (Isaiah 16:1-5)
The chapter opens with a picture of Moabite refugees in dire straits. Driven from their homes, they seek asylum in Judah. Verse 1 suggests a symbolic act: sending "lambs to the ruler of the land, to the mountain of Daughter Zion," a clear reference to Jerusalem. This can be interpreted as a tribute, a "landlord's lamb," offered to the ruler of Judah in exchange for protection. This act echoes historical precedents, such as King Mesha of Moab sending lambs to King Ahab of Israel.
The Moabites paint a vivid picture of their plight. They describe their women fleeing across the fords of the Arnon River, comparing their desperate escape to birds scattered from a disturbed nest. This imagery underscores the chaos and vulnerability of their situation. They implore Judah to offer counsel, justice, and shelter from their oppressors, begging them not to betray their location to the enemy (Isaiah 16:1-3).
The plea for refuge extends beyond mere physical safety. The speaker, likely a representative of Moab, expresses hope that Judah will provide a haven until the "oppressor is no more" (Isaiah 16:4). Intriguingly, the plea includes a messianic reference: "a throne will be established in love; in it one will sit faithfully in the tent of David, judging and seeking justice and being diligent in righteousness" (Isaiah 16:5). This verse transcends the immediate crisis, pointing towards a future kingdom of peace and justice, a kingdom ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This echoes Isaiah's earlier prophecies (Isaiah 2, 9, 11) concerning the coming Messiah.
The Root of the Problem: Pride and Arrogance (Isaiah 16:6-7)
Despite the plea for help and the glimmer of messianic hope, Isaiah doesn't shy away from addressing the underlying issue: Moab's pride. The prophet declares, "We have heard of the pride of Moab—how very proud!—of his haughtiness and his arrogance and his rage; his empty boasts are false" (Isaiah 16:6). This pride, arrogance, and insolence are identified as the root cause of their impending downfall. Their boasting about their wealth and abundance is exposed as "empty words" because it can all be taken away in a single night. This emphasis on pride serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that humility is essential for true security and lasting blessing.
Isaiah calls for mourning and lamentation, urging Moab to "wail" and "howl" over their losses, specifically the destruction of their vineyards and the loss of their renowned raisin cakes (Isaiah 16:7). This mourning highlights the devastating impact of the coming judgment on every aspect of Moabite life.
A Land Laid Waste (Isaiah 16:8-11)
The prophet vividly describes the devastation that will befall Moab's fertile lands. He focuses on the vineyards of Heshbon and Sibmah, once known for their abundant yields and widespread distribution of raisin cakes and wine. Isaiah uses a powerful metaphor, describing how the vine's branches once reached far and wide, even across the Dead Sea (Isaiah 16:8). However, this prosperity is about to end. The invading army will strike down the vines' branches, bringing an end to the joyful harvest celebrations.
Isaiah himself joins in the lament, expressing deep sorrow for the impending destruction. He mourns alongside Jazer for the loss of the grape harvest and the cessation of joyful shouting. The prophet's personal grief underscores the severity of the situation and the profound impact of judgment. He says, "Therefore my heart shall wail like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir Heres" (Isaiah 16:11).
The Inevitable End: Judgment in Three Years (Isaiah 16:12-14)
The oracle concludes with a somber pronouncement: Moab's prayers to their god Chemosh will be futile. No matter how much they exhaust themselves in their efforts, their false god will remain silent and powerless to prevent the coming judgment.
Isaiah emphasizes the certainty and imminence of the prophecy, stating that it has existed for some time. However, the Lord has now revealed that it will come to pass within three years (Isaiah 16:14). This specific timeframe underscores the urgency of the message and the inevitability of the judgment. As history reveals, the Assyrians did indeed come, and Moab was swept into the "dustbin of history," a testament to the accuracy of Isaiah's prophecy and the consequences of rejecting the Lord. The final blow would come soon, within three years (Isaiah 16:14). Sennacherib would be destroyed himself (16:4).
Isaiah 16 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and the importance of seeking refuge in the Lord. While the chapter focuses on the judgment of Moab, it also offers a glimmer of hope in the messianic prophecy of a righteous King who will establish a throne of love and justice. This dual message of judgment and hope is a recurring theme in Isaiah and underscores the importance of both repentance and faith.