Isaiah 17:1

Isaiah 17:1 says, The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.  Isaiah said this was the burden of Damascus, and that was that it would be taken away from being a city and become a heap of ruins.  Matthew Henry points out that the ten tribes of Israel that still called themselves Israel were in such close alliance with Syia that the destruction foretold of Syria, of which Damascus was the chief city, applied to them as well.  We know how much devastation war can wreak on cities and countries today, and often those associated with them suffer as well.  We also need to realize that just professing to be a Christian while allying ourselves with the world will one day lead to our everlasting destruction. 

Verse two adds. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.  Isaiah continued saying that the cities of Aroer, a province of Syria, would be desolate, so that the flocks of animals could lie down there without being disturbed.  Total destruction is one day coming to the places of this world because of the sins of mankind that they refuse to acknowledge and ask God to forgive them for by putting their faith in Jesus Christ. 

Verse three continues, The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts.  Matthew Henry says this refers to the fact that as Syria had gloried in their alliance with the ten tribes of Israel, they would now be just as weak as the people of Israel had been when the alliance was formed.   The ten tribes of Israel had joined with Syria in attacking Judah, the remaining two tribes, and now they were paying the price.  There are still people today who join with those who profess to be Christians thinking it will give them an advantage in the world, and there are also those who profess to be Christian who attack those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and are Christians.  As an example, some who profess to be Christians claim that those who profess that Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation are closed minded people who aren’t very smart, and those who do this will one day face God’s judgment with the rest of the lost world.  We need to proclaim the gospel today so that the next generation will have followers of Christ, but they can never be so just because we as their parents are.  We may look back to past generations to see examples of great Christians though.

Verse four states, And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.  When the judgment of Syria came, the numbers of the people of Israel would be greatly reduced.  Matthew Henry says that the glory of Jacob was the number of his descendants, and that would be reduced to nearly nothing.  If we allow pride in self or in things of this world to become more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ, we will grow spiritually thin no matter how fat in the riches of the world we may be.  Even if we are a follower of Jesus Christ, if we allow the things of this world to become more important to us than our relationship with Him is, we will have few treasures laid up in heaven. 

Verse five adds, And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.  Isaiah said that Syria and the people of Israel by their association with them would be carried away by the Assyrian army like corn being carried away in the harvest.  Matthew Henry says that the corn is the glory of the field and when it is reaped and gone, where is the glory.  The same would be true of Syria once it was defeated.  There would be no glory left for it to bask in.  We can say also that the people of the world who deny Jesus Christ may appear to be glorious, but when God’s judgment comes, there will be no glory left for them.  The things of this world that we glory in will one day pass away forever, unless it is something built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 16:6

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.

Isaiah 16:1

Isaiah 16:1 says, Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.  Matthew Henry says this is a call on the people of Moab to deliver what they had promised to the people of Isrrael before it was too late.  This was to be done so that they might delay their destruction.  As followers of Christ, we need to fulfill our promises to God, whether it be by bringing material things that we have promised or just being obedient to the call of the Holy Spirit in our lives to do what God has called us to do. 

Verse two adds, For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon. Isaiah then told them if they didn’t do this that they would be like a wandering bird with no real nest to call home.  Those who refuse to come to God through putting their faith in Jesus Christ will always be spiritually wandering.  They will never find a home in heaven but will one day find a permanent home in hell.  

Verse three continues, Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.  Isaiah then called on the people of Moab to listen to the counsel of God and to execute judgment in their actions.  They were to help the outcasts and the wanderers in the land.  He was calling on them to be kind to the people of Israel instead of putting burdens on them.  We cannot force the people of the world to be kind to Christians and not put unnecessary burdens on them, but we can make sure that as Christians we do this with our fellow believers. 

Verse four states, 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, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.  Isaiah said that God had issued a call for the people of Moab to treat the people of Israel with fairness instead of oppressing them if they wanted to avoid being destroyed.  There may not be a physical destruction of those who mistreat Christians today, but if anyone would avoid the coming everlasting punishment of those who do so, they must become a part of God’s people by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  There is nothing, even if it is a good thing, that can save a person if they don’t. 

Verse five adds, And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.  Isaiah said that the people of Moab wouldn’t have to help the people of Israel for long, because the people of Israel were going to be restored with a descendant of David on the throne.  Whoever helps Christians today will not have to do so for long in the eternal perspective, but this still will not help them avoid the coming destruction by God unless they become a part of His people by putting their faith in the descendant of David, Jesus Christ, Who died for the sins of everyone.  Still, though already forgiven, if anyone refuses to accept this gift of salvation from God, they will one day be sent away to everlasting punishment.

Isaiah 15:6

Isaiah 15:6 says, For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.  Isaiah also said that God promised a famine would come on Moab because of the victory of the Assyrian army.  The prophesy was that there would be nothing growing because the waters of Nimrim would dry up, but Matthew Henry says this means that the country would be plundered and impoverished and all their wealth swept away.  The army of Assyria and their horses would have devoured all the grass, or it would have been destroyed in the war.  I believe that God could have just caused the river to dry up, but either way or both ways, where the people of Moab had been blessed with plenty of grass for their own cattle, their land would now be desolate.  How God accomplishes His will in the world isn’t the important thing.  That it is accomplished is what is important. 

Verse seven adds, Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.  Isaiah said that all the abundance that the people of Moab had gotten would be carried away.  Everything that we have that we have not gotten by being obedient to God’s word and laying up treasures in heaven will be carried away on judgment day.  I am really not sure what treasures in heaven will look like, since we will be walking on streets of gold, but I am pretty sure it won’t be material things. 

Verse eight continues, For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.  There would be a cry throughout Moab when this destruction came.  There will be a great cry throughout the lost world, those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, when the judgment of God comes. 

Verse nine concludes, For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.  The waters of the Dimon would be filled with the blood of those who were slain, and those that escaped the Assyrian army would die by beasts of prey.  None of the people of Moab were going to escape God’s judgment, and even those who have not accepted God’s gift of salvation and escape His judgment in this lifetime will not escape His everlasting judgment.   

Isaiah 15:1

Isaiah 15:1 says, 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;  Moab was a small country that was very fruitful, bordering on the people of the tribe of  Reuben.  The next few verses speak of its ruin, though it wouldn’t be totally destroyed at this time, because there is another prophesy about its destruction in Jeremiah 48, when this was accomplished by Nebuchadnezzar.  This prophesy would be fulfilled within three years. Those who deny or defy God may be defeated at times in the world, but they will not be totally defeated until the return of Jesus Christ. 

Verse two adds, 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.  Isaiah said there would be great mourning in Moab. Their idols could not save them, so they would be reduced to mourning for all that they lost.  Idols will never save anyone today, and those who put their faith in them will one day be reduced to mourning forever because they will face everlasting suffering.  This is why it is so important that we reach out to the lost people of the world with the gospel today.  

Verse three adds, 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.  Isaiah continues to speak about the great mourning that would occur in Moab.  Matthew Henry points out that Isaiah did not go to Moab to proclaim this prophesy but proclaimed it to the people of Israel so that they could see that he was a prophet and that they could see that God’s word would come to pass.  We today need to do more than just share with other Christians about the punishment that is coming to those who don’t put their faith in Jesus Christ.  We need to proclaim the gospel to the unsaved people of the world so that they can repent before it is too late.

Verse four states, 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.  Isaiah said that the soldiers of Moab would cry out because their life would become grievous to them.  Those who are fighting against God today, even if they are part of a strong army, will one day cry out in grief when they find themselves defeated forever by the power of God.

Verse five adds, My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.  Isaiah said his heart would cry out to Moab.  We need to feel a great sadness for those who refuse to accept Christ and never rejoice in their destruction if it comes.

Isaiah 14:21

Isaiah 14:21 says, Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.  God said that the children of Belshazzar would be destroyed by the Medes and Persians.  They would never rise up again to possess the land or build cities in it.  We might think it cruel for the children to be killed because of the actions of their parents, but physical death is never the important thing.  One’s relationship with God is, and if there were those who did believe in Him, they went to a better home.  This is why we must at least do our best to lead our children to Jesus Christ.

Verse twenty-two adds, For I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the Lord.  God said that He was going to completely destroy Babylon because of their wickedness.  Those who fight against God today, or who even just refuse to accept His gift of salvation, will one day be completely cut off from the kingdom of God. 

Verse twenty-three continues, I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts.  The land that the Babylonians possessed was to become a land filled only with the birds of the air, according to Matthew Henry.  When God’s judgment day comes, everything that people may have possessed in the world will no longer belong to them, no matter how they may have come to possess them.    

Verse twenty-four states, The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:  God stated that whatever He thought or proposed would come to pass.  The main thing that we need to understand is that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all and when God proposed a plan of salvation for fallen mankind, He brought it to pass through Jesus Christ.  This plan was in place from the beginning, since He gave people the free will to fail to be obedient to Him.

Verse twenty-five adds, That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.  At this point, God was speaking of destroying the Assyrians, but the broader implication is that He will destroy all His enemies when His final judgment comes.  There is no enemy that can stand against Him. 

Verse twenty-six continues. This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.  God here states that He is in control, not only of Assyria, but of the earth.  God delivered the people of Israel physically many times, but He has delivered each individual through all the ages but once, and that is by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty of sin for all.  Of course, we have to put our faith in Him for the gift of salvation to apply to us. 

Verse twenty-seven concludes, For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?  God asked who was going to defeat what God had proposed, and the answer is no one.  We may not accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, but that does not defeat His having died for our sins.

Verse twenty-eight says, In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.  This destruction of the Philistines was to begin when King Ahaz died, and Hezekiah replaced him.  A bad king was replaced by a good one.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we must then make Him Lord of our life, replacing whatever had ruled our life before, because we were ruled by sinfulness before . 

Verse twenty-nine adds, Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.  The people of Israel were to rejoice because the power of the Philistines over them that had occurred when Uzziah died, or abdicated, was about to be broken.  Uzziah had been like a serpent to the Philistines, and one of his descendants was now going to sting them once again.  As followers of Christ, He has already removed the sting of death from us, but one day those who do not put their faith in will feel the sting of everlasting punishment. 

Verse thirty continues, And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.  Isaiah said God was going to give the people of Israel plenty once more and that the Philistines would be left in famine.  If we have put our faith in Jesus Christ, and are obedient to Him, we will be spiritually filled, which is what will ultimately matter, and those who don’t will go away to everlasting punishment.  They will be starving spiritually.

Verse thirty-one says, Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.  Isaiah said that the Philistines would be left howling at the gate, while the Israelites would be enjoying peace.  One day, when God’s judgment comes, those who have rejected Jesus Christ will be left with wailing and gnashing of teeth in everlasting destruction, unable to enter the gates of heaven.

Verse thirty-two adds, What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.  When Israel was restored to power, other nations were going to take notice and ask how this had come about. The people of Israel were to tell them because God had founded Zion, and they were once again trusting in Him.  When people ask us why we are spiritually successful today, no matter our physical state, we must tell them that it is because we are a part of God’s kingdom and we put our faith in Him to deliver us from all our enemies, even death itself. 

Isaiah 14:11

Isaiah 14:11 says, Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.  All the pomp that these rulers had enjoyed in life will become nothing, and they would be sent away to everlasting punishment.  Hell is just as real as heaven, and everyone will end up in one or the other, which is why it is so important that we reach people with the gospel of Christ.

Verse twelve adds, How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  Lucifer, who was one of the angels, had rebelled against God and he and those who had joined him in the rebellion had been cast out of heaven.  Now, he was in the world and was allowed to try to turn people away from God, which is resulting in the weakening of the nations.  Any nation that follows Lucifer, or Satan, will be weakened spiritually and this will eventually lead to their destruction, no matter how strong they may think they are.   

Verse thirteen continues, For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  Lucifer had thought that he would make himself as powerful as God, if not more so.  Pride led him to this conclusion and action.  If we do not acknowledge God as the One Who alone is worthy of being over everything and begin to act out of the belief that what we think is just as true as what God’s word says, we will let our pride lead us to an ultimate destruction.

Verse fourteen concludes, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  This verse just continues to speak about Lucifer's pride leading him to thinking he could be like God.  Any time we put our will above God’s will, we are attempting to be as powerful as He is.  

Verse fifteen states, Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.  Lucifer, or Satan, would in the end of time, at the judgment of God, be reduced from the glories of heaven and his limited power on earth to the pits of hell.  If we refuse to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and follow the ways of the world instead, we will one day be sent to the pits of hell instead of going to the joys of heaven.  The choice is always up to each individual, because Satan doesn’t have the power to force us to do anything and God will not force us to. 

Verse sixteen adds, They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;  Though this may have referred to the king of Babylon’s great fall, I believe it ultimately refers to Lucifer himself.  Those that see Lucifer at this time will be amazed at his fall.  He may have been able to tempt everyone to follow him, but now he will be seen for what he really is, which is powerless before God.  People will ask if he had been able to make the earth tremble and to shake kingdoms, which God can and did do.  I personally believe those who are looking on Lucifer and asking about what happened to his power will be those who are in the pits of hell with him, since those in heaven will have no reason to look on him anymore but will be focused on the glory of God instead. 

Verse seventeen continues, That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?  Lucifer, who had thought he could be like God, will be asked if he had the power to make the world like a wilderness and destroy the cities thereof and to open the house of his prisoners. Though through the actions that Lucifer, or Satan, takes he may be able to cause destruction in the world, he cannot destroy the world.  He also cannot free those held captive by sin from the prison of sin, nor would he want to.  He wants as many people to join him in hell as he can influence to do so. 

Verse eighteen says, All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.  This verse would seem to indicate that at least at this point in time this referred to the king of Babylon, but as I have stated, I believe that it ultimately refers to Lucifer.  It states that all the other kings lie in glory in the world still, while the king of Babylon has been fallen to the depths of hell.  This may be the case, but people will not see him there, which I believe means that the ultimate fulfillment will be when Lucifer is cast into hell when God’s judgment day comes. Of course, only those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ will rest in peace at that time. 

Verse nineteen adds, But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.  This verse seems to refer to the fall of Belshazzar, who would find no glory in death, but since the passage started by referencing Lucifer, I still believe this will ultimately apply to him.  He will find no glory in death, nor will anyone who follows him instead of following God. 

Verse twenty continues, Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.  Belshazzar, nor Lucifer himself, will be joined in burial with those who have lived faithfully for God.  These are the only two choices anyone ever has, not that the burial is important, but our relationship at the time of our death is.