Isaiah 16

Isaiah 16 opens with a call for Moab to send tribute to Zion, depicting Moab's people as vulnerable, wandering exiles. A plea is made for refuge for these outcasts, anticipating a future righteous Davidic reign that will end oppression. However, Moab's excessive pride is condemned, leading to a prophecy of widespread desolation across their fertile lands. The chapter concludes with a specific three-year timeline for Moab's glory to diminish, leaving only a small, feeble remnant.

The chapter begins with a directive for Moab to send a lamb as tribute to Zion, portraying Moab's inhabitants as vulnerable, wandering exiles at the fords of Arnon. A call is issued for the provision of refuge and justice to these outcasts, aligning with the future establishment of a merciful and truthful Davidic throne that will end oppression. However, the Lord condemns Moab's profound pride, haughtiness, and wrath, declaring that their deceit will not prevail. Consequently, a widespread lamentation is foretold for Moab, particularly for the destruction of Kirhareseth and the desolation of their once-fertile regions like Heshbon and Sibmah. The prophet expresses deep personal sorrow over this impending ruin, as all joy and harvest celebrations will cease. Moab's future attempts to seek solace in their pagan sanctuaries will prove fruitless. The chapter concludes with a precise prophecy that within three years, Moab's glory, multitude, and strength will be utterly diminished, leaving a very small and feeble remnant.

Isaiah 16 commences with an instruction for Moab to send a lamb, likely as tribute or a plea for alliance, from Sela to the mount of Zion. The daughters of Moab are depicted as vulnerable, like wandering birds cast from their nest, scattered at the fords of Arnon, signifying their impending displacement and distress. A divine injunction follows, urging the exercise of counsel and judgment, and the provision of refuge for the outcasts, hiding those who wander. This act of mercy is linked to a future era when the "extortioner," "spoiler," and "oppressors" will be consumed from the land. In that time, a throne established in mercy and truth, belonging to the tabernacle of David, will judge righteously and hasten justice. However, the narrative shifts to condemn Moab's notorious pride, haughtiness, and wrath, asserting that their lies will not stand. This pride is the catalyst for a widespread lamentation, as Moab will howl for its own destruction, particularly mourning the fallen foundations of Kirhareseth. The chapter vividly describes the desolation of Moab's agricultural heartland: the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah is broken down by the lords of the heathen, its branches once expansive, now ruined. The prophet expresses profound personal grief, weeping for the loss of the summer fruits and harvest, and the cessation of all gladness and joyous shouting in the vineyards. Moab's attempts to find solace or help in their high places and sanctuaries will ultimately fail. The chapter concludes with a definitive word from the Lord, stating that within three years, likened to the years of a hireling, the glory of Moab, with its great multitude, will be utterly contemned, leaving behind only a very small and feeble remnant.