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Articles
Judgement of Moab
When we open our Old Testaments to Isaiah 13-23, we open to a section dedicated to God’s judgement against the nations. Every nation is held accountable to God’s authority and will be judged according to their deeds. There is no partiality with God. The house of Israel was held accountable for her sin, when God sent Assyria against her in 721 B.C. The house of Judah was held accountable for her sin, when God sent Babylon against her in 586 B.C. If God judged His own chosen people so severely – why did the surrounding nations think they would be exempt? This section of Isaiah reveals that God is firmly in control of all things and that His judgement is thorough and complete. Our study will primarily deal with God’s judgement on the nation of Moab (Isaiah 15-16).
The nation of Moab had a long history with the nation of Israel. The Moabites originated from the taboo relationship between Lot and his daughters (Genesis 19:37-38). This close association with the family of Abraham gave the nation of Moab moments of reprieve from God’s temporal judgements, but His long-suffering was not everlasting (Deuteronomy 2:9). Moab was continually a thorn in the side of Israel. When Israel was wandering in the wilderness, Balak who was the king of Moab called for Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24). This action of Balak plagued the Moabites for many years/generations to come. The Moabites were not allowed in the assembly of the Lord, because of their lack of hospitality toward Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3-5). The time of Moab’s judgement had finally arrived and the Lord revealed His plans through Isaiah (15-16) and Jeremiah (48).
At the beginning of chapter 16, Moab faced desperate conditions in the midst of their moment of trial and judgment (16:1-5). The land which had been known for being fertile and perfect for raising livestock would be ruined by God’s judgement (Numbers 32:1-4). The “daughters of Moab” faced tremendous difficulties in judgement, and the Lord called for the Moabites to submit themselves to Him and their blessings would be restored. The Lord promised to be a “shade” to Moab in the midst of a dry and parched land. The Lord would be their “hiding place/shelter,” but they must submit to Him. The final verse carries a Messianic promise of One coming from the “tent of David” who would establish a throne that manifested lovingkindness, faithfulness, justice, and righteousness. If Moab was willing to submit to God, then God’s justice would bring about their ultimate restoration through the promised One!
The sad reality of Moab was their hearts were too prideful and arrogant to accept the Lord’s invitation (16:6-12). The promise of One from the “tent of David” was immediately contrasted with the hearts of the Moabites being filled with excessive pride, arrogance, pride, and fury. The Moabites had been given the choice to submit to God and be restored, but the Moabites choose rather to trust in their vain gods/idols. This choice sealed their fate and the Lord was saddened by their pride and arrogance. When the Moabites should have experienced joy at the time of harvest; instead, all they found were withered vines and trampled clusters of grapes. The treader arrived at the winepress with nothing to press or produce. The Lord caused all of their joy to cease! The Moabites would weary themselves on the high places of their idols to no avail. The Lord’s judgement was thorough and the Moabites were left unprepared and wanting in the day of their calamity!
In the sadness of Moab’s judgement, we find characteristics of God which are simply breathtaking. The Lord does not desire man’s departure from His will, but rather He has done everything possible to save man from his sins (John 3:16). The beauty of God’s grace and mercy is found in the middle of Isaiah 16. The Lord is pictured as One who “wept bitterly for Jazer, for the vine of Sibmah; I will drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealah” (16:9). This verse emphasizes the Lord’s heart toward all of His creation. There is no one overlooked, forgotten, or ignored, but rather the Lord desires ALL men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). The same God who sent judgement upon Moab - grieved in their judgement! The same God who punished Moab for their rebellion – was broken hearted in their judgement! Let us learn from the mistakes of Moab and humbly submit our hearts in obedience to the will of our Father who desires to share eternity with His faithful sons and daughters through Jesus!
