Isaiah 16
Sunday Morning Bible Study
May 2, 1999
Introduction
The prophecy began in Isaiah 15 with God warning the Moabites. Judgment would be coming. First there would be an invasion from the north. As the people would cry out to their Moabite god, Chemosh, nothing would happen. The Moabites would flee to the south, only to find that the south has been in a drought and there’s no food. Those that aren’t killed by the northern invaders are then attacked by lions. Things go from bad to worse. As the Moabites would be fleeing, they would apparently land even further south, into the land of Edom.
:1-5 The Fugitives in Sela
:1 Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land
It was a common thing for one country to pay "tribute" to another country. It was a way of forming an alliance. It also kept the stronger country from invading the weaker one. At one time David had made the Moabites pay tribute to him (2Sam.8:2). Later, the Moabites had been paying as much as 100,000 lambs and 100,000 rams to Ahab, of the northern kingdom of Israel, though they later rebelled and refused to pay (2Ki. 3:4,5).
:1 from Sela to the wilderness
Sela – or, "Petra". Both mean "rock". This is a reference to the "rock city of Petra", one of the capitals of the Edomites. It was a city carved entirely out of rock, and was easily guarded as the only way in or out was through narrow passes. You saw it in the movie, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade". It was the place they rode their horses to at the end of the movie where the large temple was carved into the rock cliff’s face. See
map.Apparently, the Moabite refugees have taken shelter at Petra from the invasion of chapter 15.
:1 unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
The Moabites are now apparently being asked by Isaiah to pay a tribute to the king of Judah, the southern kingdom, to ask for his help.
Zion – Jerusalem. See
map.:2 the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
daughters of Moab – the Moabites
fords of Arnon – no, this is not a reference to automobiles in the Bible.
It refers to the crossing point of the river Arnon, the traditional border between the Amorites in the north and the Moabites in the south (both are on the eastern side of the Dead Sea, where the Arnon empties about in the middle – See
The Moabites, running from the invasion, will be like a lost flock of birds, kicked out of their nests.
:3 Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
shadow as the night – hide these people, like hiding them in a dark room.
bewray – uncover, reveal, betray.
It’s at this point that the prophecy gets a little murky and confusing. It all stems from not being quite sure who is doing the speaking. Are the Moabites speaking, or are they being spoken to?
Some of the modern translations (NIV, NAS, NLT) give the idea that the Moabites are speaking, and are asking for help:
(Isa 16:3-4 NIV) "Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night-- at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. {4} Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer." The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.
The idea would seem to be that the Moabites are calling out to Jerusalem to help shelter some of the Moabite refugees. They’re asking Jerusalem to take in the Moabites fleeing from the invaders.
The King James (and New King James) apparently are a little closer to the actual wording of the Hebrew, but in doing so, it almost sounds as if the Moabites are being ordered to think about what they’re doing, and to hide refugees from Israel. This doesn’t seem to fit the passage because we’ve been talking about the Moabites fleeing, not Israel. I kind of get the impression that the modern translators were trying to keep the flow of things by tweaking their translation a little to make it sound like the Moabites are asking for refuge in Jerusalem.
I think that the King James translation actually has some merit. As we’ll see, I think it fits a little better with what Isaiah says in verse 5, pointing to the establishing of the Messiah’s throne in Jerusalem.
We’ve seen this before, where a prophecy has a kind of time "hiccup", where it will skip a couple thousand years.
Up to this verse, we seem to be talking about some past invasion of Moab, either by the Assyrians or the Babylonians. At that time, they were encouraged to look to Jerusalem for help.
But at verse three, it’s possible that it shifts to the future, to a time when God is asking the Moabites to watch over His refugees.
:4 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
If we take the view of the King James (and New King James) translations (which I do), then God is asking Moab to let His outcasts find shelter with the Moabites.
Where are the Moabites, according to this passage? They’re in "Sela", or the rock city of Petra in southern Jordan. It’s because of this that some people think that there will be Jewish refugees hiding from the antichrist in the area of southern Jordan.
covert – cether – covering, shelter, hiding place, secrecy
extortioner … spoiler – if we’re looking to the future, this would be the antichrist.
This would fit several pictures we see in prophecy.
In the book of Revelation, we get a picture of how the dragon, Satan, will be trying to destroy the Jewish people (seen as "the woman"):
(Rev 12:13-16 KJV) And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. {14} And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. {15} And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. {16} And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Isaiah also has a prophecy that gives a location of the return of Jesus:
(Isa 63:1 KJV) Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
As you read on in Isaiah, you realize this is the same thing that John is describing in Revelation when Jesus comes back (Rev. 19:13-16). Could it be that when Jesus comes back, He will first go to rescue His Jewish people taking refuge in Bozrah and Petra? Bozrah is just a couple of miles southeast of Petra.
In summary: I think it’s possible that as the tribulation period unfolds, and the antichrist reveals himself as the incarnation of evil, he will begin to persecute the Jews. A group of them will flee to the south of Jordan and hide there for the remainder of the tribulation, until Jesus comes back to rescue them.
:5 And in mercy shall the throne be established
I believe this is talking about when Jesus returns and sets up His kingdom on earth, with His capital in Jerusalem. The outcasts have been hidden in Petra, and He comes back to establish His throne.
:6-12 Ruin of Moab
:6 We have heard of the pride of Moab … his wrath … his lies
Apparently this was one of the trademarks of Moab, their "pride". (Jer. 48:29-30)
Lesson
Pride – Anger - Lying
They’re all tied together.
Its pride that makes you think that you’re the best.
Illustration
A young woman went to her pastor and said, "Pastor, I have a besetting sin, and I want your help. I come to church on Sunday and can't help thinking I'm the prettiest girl in the congregation. I know I ought not think that, but I can't help it. I want you to help me with it." The pastor replied, "Mary, don't worry about it. In your case it's not a sin. It's just a horrible mistake."
-- Haddon Robinson, "Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Us Guys," Preaching Today, Tape No. 80.
Its pride that makes you think that you don’t need to ask for help or help others. The Moabites didn’t think they needed help.
Its pride that fuels your anger at people when they don’t do things the way you think they ought to.
Illustration
Executive consultant Richard Hagberg told this story: The head of one large company recently told me about an incident that occurred as he and his wife waited in line to get his driver's license renewed. He was frustrated at how long it was taking and grumbled to his wife, "Don't they know who I am?" She replied, "Yeah, you're a plumber's son who got lucky."
-- Fortune (6/26/96). Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (Baker), from the editors of Leadership.
Its pride that makes you lie to others to keep up the crumbling front that says you’re the best.
Illustration
A mayor who was very proud of his city was asked how the recession had affected it. He answered, "We don't have a recession here, but I will admit we are having the worst boom in many years.
Could it be that your anger would go away if you would humble yourself? If we would humble ourselves, perhaps we’d find it easier to tell the truth.
:7 shall Moab howl for Moab …
Kirhareseth – a major city of Moab, about 15 miles south of the Arnon River. See
map.foundations – apparently the Hebrew could also be translated "bottles", NAS says "raisin cakes".
:8 the fields of Heshbon languish …
Heshbon – a city in the northern part of Moab. It once was the capital of the Amorite king, Sihon (Num.21:26). See
map.Sibmah – See
map.the lords of the heathen – could refer to the Assyrians, we know the Babylonians also came and conquered the Moabites. Could it also be something in the future?
Jazer – the northern end of Moab. See
map.the sea – the Dead Sea, which was also known as the "Sea of Jazer" (Jer. 48:32).
:9 I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah
Heshbon … Elealeh – very closely situated, like twin cities. See
map.John Gill: "the prophet here represents the Moabites weeping for their vines more especially, they being a people addicted to drunkenness, in which their father was begotten; hence Bacchus is said to be the founder of many of their cities"
:11 Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab
Kirharesh – same as Kirhareseth. See
map.bowels … inward parts – the ancients looked at the bowels as being the seat of the emotions. In contrast, we look at the heart as being where the affections and emotions come from.
NAS - Therefore my heart intones like a harp for Moab
The prophet is again saying that he’s all torn up inside over what is going to happen to Moab (just like in Is. 15:5)
Lesson
Compassion for those in trouble.
God wants us to have a tender heart towards those who are going through hard times, even if it seems because they are going through judgment, as Moab was.
Luke 10:30-37
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. {31} And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. {32} And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. {33} But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, {34} And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. {35} And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. {36} Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? {37} And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.The priest and the Levite were religious, but they didn’t care for the man who needed their help. God isn’t looking for our excuses, He’s looking for our help.
How do I grow in compassion for others?
I think one way is to sincerely pray for them. If praying for them doesn’t give you more compassion, then I would suggest that something is wrong with your prayers.
Illustration
From Howard Hendricks: Years ago in a church in Dallas we were having trouble finding a teacher for a junior high boys class. The list of prospects had only one name -- and when they told me who it was I said, "You've got to be kidding." But I couldn't have been more wrong about that young man. He took the class and revolutionized it. I was so impressed I invited him to my home for lunch and asked him the secret of his success. He pulled out a little black book. On each page he had a small picture of one of the boys, and under the boy's name were comments like "having trouble in arithmetic," or "comes to church against parents' wishes," or "would like to be a missionary some day, but doesn't think he has what it takes." "I pray over those pages every day," he said, "and I can hardly wait to come to church each Sunday to see what God has been doing in their lives."
Do you pray for those around you? Do you pray for the other folks at work? Do you pray for the people you know who are going through hard times, even if it seems that they deserve it?
:12 he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail
high place – the ancient peoples thought places on the tops of hills and mountains were closer to heaven, so they often built altars to various gods there.
The idea is that Moab will be having hard times, they’ll try all the religious stuff they can think of, even getting more serious with their god, Chemosh (a version of Molech cf. Is. 15:2). But all their religious stuff won’t work. They make their prayers, but there’s no one there to answer.
Lesson
All roads don’t lead to God.
Perhaps you’ve been going through some difficult times. And in desperation, you’ve even started trying to get religious. Maybe you’ve come to today’s service under the coercion of a friend, but you’d really prefer to do your religion in your own way.
I’ve got news for you. All roads DON’T lead to God.
God has shown us how to reach Him. He’s been pretty clear on the matter. He’s shown us in the Bible.
(John 14:6 KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Perhaps you think that’s rather narrow minded, that God would only have ONE way, one road to take to get to Him. Actually, I prefer to think that God has simply made it a lot easier for us, by only giving us one way to be concerned about. That way we won’t mess up by taking a wrong turn.
But it really isn’t a matter of being narrow-minded or not. It’s a matter of taking God seriously and listening to what He’s already told us about Himself. Don’t waste your time going down roads that are only dead ends. You need to get serious about coming to Jesus.
:13-14 An Updated Prophecy
:13 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
(Isa 16:13 NIV) This is the word the LORD has already spoken concerning Moab.
However you want to apply Is. 15:1 – 16:13, whether seeing it fulfilled by the Babylonians or the Assyrians, we’re going to get kind of an update on God’s judgment on Moab, an update that’s right around the corner.
:14 Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude;
the years of an hireling – a hired servant will pay close attention to when his paycheck is due. This would be an exact three years.
contemned – qalah – be lightly esteemed, be dishonored, be despised
:14 and the remnant shall be very small and feeble
There would be trouble coming to Moab real quick! The trouble would only allow just a remnant to survive. But by Jeremiah’s time (Jer. 48), the Moabites will be back to full strength, and also fully back to their wicked ways, again ready for judgment.
Lesson
Learn your lessons for a lifetime.
There are times when we go through difficult times and we start to come to our senses. We say things like, "I’m going to follow the Lord now." or, "I see what my problems are, and I’m going to change." We begin to turn away from our sin. And then things kind of lighten up. For a while we walk with the Lord, but as our life gets easier, we make a decision to turn around and go back into the world.
God’s desire is that we learn our lessons once.