Isaiah study & commentary

Isaiah 15:1-2

Moab was a country about 30 miles square, east of the Dead Sea.  

• Naomi, from the book or Ruth, moved to Moab during a famine. 
• Balak, king of Moab, hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-25).
• Eglon, King of Moab, oppressed Israel during the time of the judges (Judes 3:12-30). 

Moab had nearly always been Israel's enemy.  Some of the northern cities were built by Israelites.  When Israel and Judah were strong they controlled this area.  During Isaiah's time they are was subject to Assyrian invasion and rule.  Jeremiah 48 also talks of the judgment of Moab.  

Ar, Kir and Dibon were major cities listed from south to north.  As the cities are laid waste, the Moabite runs to the temple where they went to weep.  This is the temple of their god Chemosh.  Nebo is the mountain on the north end of the Dead Sea where God allowed Moses to view the Promised Land.  Having your head shaved or beard cut off was a sign of mourning.

Isaiah 15:3-5
We see more evidence of this widespread mourning; they be in sackcloth is an act of mourning.  There will be weeping and wailing (Jer 48:38) evident to all as it would be seen on the rooftops and in the street.  Heshbon, in the north, was once an Israelite city.  Jahaz was over 10 miles south of the Heshbon and Elealeh; it was once a Levitical city.  Being a soldier in Moab would be burdensome when the prophecy of the Lord was against them.  They would fail to protect the land. 

God empathizes with Moab.   He allows for a remnant to flee to Zoar.  This was the city Lot and his daughters escaped from when they hid in the mountains.  The child Moab came from Lot's incest with his daughter.  

Luhith and Horonaim are unknown. 

Isaiah 15:6-9
Besides the devastation of being invaded, the river is dried up and there is nothing growing.  All they have will be carried off by the invaders across the Brook of the Willows into Edom.  Dimon was a religious center for their heathen gods; the judgment will be heavier there; blood will run on the waters.  Even those who were escaping the invasion of the land were still faced with the danger of the wild animals.  No one can outrun judgment.

©2018 Doug Ford