Do Israel and Moab have a long history, from Lot, Balak and Baalam, Ruth, and David’s parents finding refuge there? Is God patient with all nations? Let’s look at Isaiah 16.
As Moab is attacked by foreign forces, is there a place of refuge for them in Zion, if they will bring tribute to the king of Judah, as once did Mesha, King of Moab (2 Kings 3:4-5)? Would that include submission to the one true God?
Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela [Petra], across the desert, to the mount of Daughter Zion. Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon. (Isa 16:1-2 NIV)
In reverse, should Moab show mercy upon the outcasts of Judah and be a place of refuge? Is there a coming king in Judah who will execute justice and righteousness?
“Take counsel, execute judgment; Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day; Hide the outcasts, Do not betray him who escapes. Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab; Be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler. For the extortioner is at an end, Devastation ceases, The oppressors are consumed out of the land. In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.” (Isa 16:3-5 NKJV)
Is Moab just like many nations, where national pride, rather than national humility, causes them problems? What causes a return to sweet humility in the nation?
We have heard about proud Moab—about its pride and arrogance and rage. But all that boasting has disappeared. The entire land of Moab weeps. Yes, everyone in Moab mourns for the cakes of raisins from Kir-hareseth. They are all gone now. The farms of Heshbon are abandoned; the vineyards at Sibmah are deserted. The rulers of the nations have broken down Moab—that beautiful grapevine. Its tendrils spread north as far as the town of Jazer and trailed eastward into the wilderness. Its shoots reached so far west that they crossed over the Dead Sea. (Isa 16:6-8 NLT)
Did the prophet weep for Moab, even as he predicted national suffering?
Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah. I will water you with my tears, Heshbon, and Elealeh: for on your summer fruits and on your harvest the battle shout has fallen. Gladness is taken away, and joy out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there will be no singing, neither joyful noise. Nobody will tread out wine in the presses. I have made the shouting stop. Therefore my heart sounds like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir Heres. It will happen that when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, and comes to his sanctuary to pray, that he will not prevail. (Isa 16:9-12 WEB)
How quickly would this national calamity fall upon Moab? Is this a warning to any proud nation, that its glory can fade quickly, if God wills?
This is the word that the Lord had spoken concerning Moab long ago. But now the Lord has said: In three years, like the years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab, with all its great multitude, will dwindle. The small remnant will be few and feeble. (Isa 16:13-14 CEB)
What is a principle that we, in our national pride, too often forget?
Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall. (Prov 16:18 CEB)
Is God patient with our nations, waiting for us all to come to repentance?
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Pet 3:9 ESV)
Do Israel and Moab have a long history, from Lot, Balak and Baalam, Ruth, and David’s parents finding refuge there? Is God patient with all nations? You decide!
