Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Isaiah 15 - Burden of Moab

Burden of Moab

Isa 15:1 The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;

The Moabites were a people that came from a drunken Lot and his daughter, who wanted a child. Balak, tried to get Baalam to curse the Hebrews who were entering the land. King David's grandmother, Ruth was a Moabite. God was bringing judgement to Moab. Two cities: Ar and Kir are laid waste in the night.

Isa 15:2 He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.

The people of Moab flee to high places, where they cry out to their idols. The invasion would cause them to howl and to shave their heads and cut off the beads. These were showing deep sorrow, for the hair and beards were highly regarded.

Isa 15:3 In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.

More signs of despair; sackcloth, all weeping and howling for sorrow.

Isa 15:4 And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.

The armed men will not fight, they will cry with the others. When Israel fell under Babylon , so did Moab. Why did God judge them? Because of idlotry, not seeking after the true God and being satisfied with life as it was. See Jeremiah 48:1-15, for another prophecy about Moab.

Jer 48:10 Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
Jer 48:11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.

Moab has been at ease, in their sin, unchanged, unrepentant.

Jer 48:12 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
Jer 48:13 And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.
Jer 48:14 How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
Jer 48:15 Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.

Woe had come; woe to a nation who does not seek the LORD.

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