Isaiah study & commentary

Isaiah 16:1-2

The Moabites fled to Edom, to the south.  Moab had been paying tribute to Israel until the death of Ahab.  Isaiah advises they resume paying tribute, but it should go to Jerusalem.  Moab will be like a wandering bird thrown out of the nest; weak, exposed and fearful.

The Arnon was a primary river that formed a large canyon which would be hard for fleeing refugees to navigate.  It's recorded that the Moabite king Mesha rebuilt the bridge over the Arnon after retaking the territory from Israel. 

Isaiah 16:3-5

Isaiah urges Judah to protect the Moabites and not give them up but to hide them.  The night in the middle of the day is pretty hard to find.  Then in verse four, it seems reversed; Moab is encouraged to receive the outcasts of Judah.  Some believe this looks to a future day, the Day of the Lord in the end times.  In these days, Judah will be fleeing the spoiler, the anti-christ.  Then the Lord will sit on the throne of David and rule in Justice.

Isaiah 16:6-7

Moab's sin was that they were full of pride and insolence.  Therefore the wailing will be widespread across the land.  The word 'foundations' is actually raisin cakes.  The raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth must have been famous and brought to mind prosperity and comfort in their country.  This comfort was gone.

Isaiah 16:8-9

Heshbon, Sibmah, Jazer and Elealeh were on the northern border.  Some of these cities had been built by Israelites bye the tribe of Gad.  There would be weeping for the vines, fruits and the rest of the harvest. 

The land was rich in agriculture.  However, regardless of the beauty and  productivity of the land, it was still had to be judged.  Their pride would be dealt with.  There would be weeping and tears as the crops, vines and fruits suffered through the punishment and judgment.  This time of year would normally been filled with joy in the abundance of harvest.

Isaiah 16:10-11

Gladness is taken away; this same idea shows up in Jeremiah 48:33.  God's judgment shut down the festival atmosphere of harvest (Judges 9:27).  This brought a heartache for Moab (but the word heart really means 'belly' – the center of their emotions and feelings). 

Isaiah 16:12
Moab would seek their god in the high places but only wear them selves out because they were seeking after a false god.  As verse one encouraged the honoring of Yahweh by bringing the lamb to Jerusalem; this verse is the bracket of the same idea.  Within the brackets lie the consequences of rejecting, rebelling against God.

Isaiah 16:13-14
Within 3 years, like the contract for the hired hand, Moab would be judged.  They would be overrun by Assyria in 715 B.C.

©2018 Doug Ford