Isaiah 15 and 16
As we look to the next two chapters in the study of Isaiah, my prayer continues to be that we are learning profound truths about God and His Word. Truths that do not simply develop the depth of our knowledge in the literary work of Scripture as if it were a textbook, but rather the spiritual truths that it contains. I pray that for each of us something may be gained in this study that resonates with our lives in such a way that it impacts our tomorrow. That we each may be a better person living out the truth of the Gospel in our everyday life. We pray this in His Son’s Holy name. Amen.
Tonight, we are continuing our read through the section of Isaiah commonly referred to as the Oracles Against the Nations (OAN). For a more thorough explanation of the OAN and it’s purpose, please review the beginning of our closing thoughts section of Chapter 14. But just quickly, the OAN was written as an encouragement to the Israelites that God will fulfill his commitment to the Israelites by putting an end to the persecution they experience from the surrounding nations. This is precisely where we are tonight, with a section concerning Moab.
To begin, let’s remind ourselves who the Moabites are. Their origin is found in Genesis 19:30-38. Following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his daughters were living in the hills outside of Zoar. To put yourself in the shoes of these daughters, they just were spared from two cities that were turned to dust and they lost their mother because she had turned to look back at the destruction and was turned to salt. They are now living in the hills with their father and are thinking that they will never be married because everyone just got destroyed, yet still have the obligation of having kids. So they get their father drunk so that he will sleep with them. From the oldest daughter came Moab, father of the Moabites, and from the younger came Ben-ammi, father of the Ammonites.
It turned out not all bad for the Moabites and the Ammonites, as God actually grants them land that the Israelites pass through in the wilderness (Deut. 2:1-25). But these peaceable relations do not last, as we see in the book of Judges. Israel does evil in the sight of the Lord and God has no choice but to bring a king against the people, choosing to use king Eglon of Moab. After 18 years as slaves to Eglon, God raised up Ehud of Israel to kill the king and free Israel. (I encourage you to read the story of Judges 3:12-30. Spoiler: he poops his pants!) The relationship between Israel and Moab is officially listed as “enemies” in 1 Samuel 14:47 as king Saul is seen defeating all Israel’s surrounding enemies, including Moab.
This historical context is important because as we read through Isaiah 15-16, the historical context will draw out some important points that may have otherwise been overlooked. We also know that this section is Hebrew poetry so keep in mind that the nature of the language used is supposed to be an artistic expression of the truth. With this information, let’s do a read through of 15-16:
15:2-3, 16:12 The baldness, shaved beards, and sackcloth show the depth of their mourning as well as a searching to the gods for direction; typical of repentance. However, they are not heard as they would be crying out to false gods and their own idols.
15:5, 7 They are now on the run, asylum seekers pushed from their homes searching for peace carrying whatever they can.
15:6 Even the land, seen in the water and plants, are ruined and life is no more. The heart of that area is broken.
15:9 We see that the attack will cause much bloodshed and as the people are running for their life a lion, another attacker, will pounce and cause more destruction.
16:1 Moab sends a tribute to Israel, their enemies, in hopes that Israel will take them in.
16:3-5 We see the pleading of Moab, begging Israel to accept the asylum seekers and not turn them away to the oppressors.
16:6 What is the cause for such persecution and destruction? It is that they were a proud and arrogant people. God certainly does not find pleasure in the proud, and how much humbling do we as a nation, and as individuals, need.
16:9-11 We see that this act of destruction does not come without compassion. Isaiah, spokesperson for a righteous God, weeps for the people of Moab.
16:13-14 Moab will be crushed, stripped of glory and left feeble.
I hope these few points helped guide some of your thoughts in reading these chapters. Feel free to send comments on thoughts you have on the chapter. I will finish with some concluding thoughts.
God and Pride don’t mix: This is a sin the has attached itself to many of those that find themselves on the wrong end of God’s judgement. Proverbs declares that pride is what comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:19), and this is what was certainly the case for Moab. The nation saw it’s land, a land that was granted to them by God, their riches, also granted by God, and came to believe that they were masters of their fate. They were the captain of their ship. But when rowing a boat, you need an oar on each side of the boat simply goes in circles. They needed God to row with them. But they were not humble before the Lord and so their end arrived with nothing but a weak remnant and most running for their lives. We must learn from stories like this. We cannot allow ourselves to become prideful, but in everything remain humble before the Lord. This means also being humble before others. Our only boast in Christ and what he has done. We have done nothing of significance aside from putting our faith in him who is greater.
Compassion for the enemy: Moab was a historical enemy of Israel, and yet Isaiah who is the mouthpiece for God is weeping in compassion for these people. How is it that we ought to view those who seem to be our enemies? Or those who persecute us who are in the faith? Those who hate us who are covered by Christ? I know how we often do. There are Christians who speak loudly in disgust and hate for those who are enemies of the cross. We wage wars on people, both literally in some cases with guns and armies, but more often through our word and actions. We take the hand of God, God’s holy judgement, upon ourselves. We feel like we ought to do the work of God for him. As if he is unable. In the midst of our own persecution we dish out our own attacks without remembering that while we were still sinners, and therefore enemies of the cross, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)! Jesus weeps for Jerusalem because they blind their eyes to making peace and finding him, the Christ (Lk. 19:41-44). And with his last breath, Jesus declares forgiveness on those who murdered him (Lk. 23:34). If Christ is the model in which we are trying to mold our lives after, we need to be praying for compassion towards sinners. We need to fight less and forgive more. Judgement will come, but it will come from one who is Holy. Praise God for His grace poured out on us.