Isaiah 16:6 says, We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so. The people of Moab were very haughty and full of pride, but they didn't thank God or obey Him. Some countries today are likewise very haughty and full of pride, some even denying the existence of God, but they will not stand forever.
Verse seven adds, Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken. Isaiah said everyone in Moab would mourn for the destruction that had come on it. We may never see a time today when all of the lost people of the earth mourn for the loss of their country because God’s judgment has fallen on them. As a matter of fact, those who deny God the most may flourish, but one day God’s judgment is coming, and when it does, there will be great mourning amongst the lost people.
Verse eight continues, For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea. The country of Moab had been filled with great vines that produced the best fruit, stretching out even to the sea. Now, they would either be trodden down or left unharvested, doing the owners no good either way. Countries today may stand against God and still be very prosperous, but that will not last forever. Only the fruit that we produce for God and His kingdom will endure, no matter how glorious the results of our works outside His will may look now.
Verse nine states, Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen. Now, the people of Moab would be weeping for the loss of the productive vines that they had rejoiced in. No matter how much people may rejoice in things obtained outside of the will of God, one day all of it will disappear, and those who had delighted in them will be reduced to everlasting agony and mourning.
Verse ten adds, And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease. Isaiah continued to speak about the lack of joy in Moab after the destruction of the vineyards. They would no longer sing with joy at the harvest, because there would be no harvest. No matter how joyful people of the world may be or how successful they may feel, if they aren’t followers of Christ, when God’s judgement comes, they will lose everything, including any hope for joy.
Verse eleven continues, Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh. Here, Isaiah seems to be speaking of his inward grief at the fate of Moab, even if they were an enemy of the people of Israel. As Christians, we should feel an inward grief at the everlasting destruction of our enemies instead of celebrating their doom.
Verse twelve states, And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail. Isaiah said that when the people of Moab became weary on the high places, or worshipping their false gods there, instead of turning to God, they would go to the temple of their gods. This would do them no good. God will give everyone an opportunity to come to Christ when their false gods fail, but too many will just become more devoted to these false gods.
Verse thirteen adds, This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning Moab since that time. Isaiah said that this wasn’t his word but God’s word. What we proclaim to the lost people of the world today must be God’s word and not just our own desire for them. God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for them out of love, and we should not look for their destruction out of hatred.
Verse fourteen concludes, But now the Lord hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble. Isaiah said God had decreed that this would all happen within three years, and that what was left of the people of Moab would be weak and feeble. God’s word about the everlasting destruction of those who will not accept Him is certain, even if we cannot say exactly when it will occur. We need to be proclaiming the gospel so that they might avoid this fate by putting their faith in Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment