Isa 16 | MHM | STEP | Exhortations to Moab This section shows that God does not enjoy the destruction of sinners. Instead, He tells Moab what they can do to avoid disaster. God gives Moab a chance to change their ways and act justly. He also shows that kindness to God’s people and submission to God’s rule are always the best choices, both for Moab and for anyone else. v. 1 : The prophet tells Moab to be fair to the house of David and pay the tribute they once promised to pay. He says, Send you the lamb to the ruler of the land . In the past, King David made Moab pay tribute in lambs (2 Samuel 8:2 ), and later they paid this to the kings of Israel (2 Kings 3:4 ). Now, Isaiah urges them to pay it to Hezekiah, the king of Judah. The tribute should come from all of Moab, from Selah to the wilderness, and be sent to the mount of the daughter of Zion , meaning Jerusalem. Some people think this also means Moab should offer a lamb to God at His temple, showing submission to the true ruler of the earth. If Moab refuses to do this, their people will be like a wandering bird cast out of the nest (Isaiah 16:2 ), moving from place to place in fear, with no home or safety.

‏ Isaiah 16

Exhortations to Moab

This section shows that God does not enjoy the destruction of sinners. Instead, He tells Moab what they can do to avoid disaster. God gives Moab a chance to change their ways and act justly. He also shows that kindness to God’s people and submission to God’s rule are always the best choices, both for Moab and for anyone else.

v. 1: The prophet tells Moab to be fair to the house of David and pay the tribute they once promised to pay. He says, Send you the lamb to the ruler of the land . In the past, King David made Moab pay tribute in lambs (2 Samuel 8:2 ^a), and later they paid this to the kings of Israel (2 Kings 3:4 ^b). Now, Isaiah urges them to pay it to Hezekiah, the king of Judah. The tribute should come from all of Moab, from Selah to the wilderness, and be sent to the mount of the daughter of Zion, meaning Jerusalem. Some people think this also means Moab should offer a lamb to God at His temple, showing submission to the true ruler of the earth. If Moab refuses to do this, their people will be like a wandering bird cast out of the nest (Isaiah 16:2 ^c), moving from place to place in fear, with no home or safety.

v. 2: If the Moabites do not listen, their daughters (meaning the people and villages of Moab) will become like birds forced from their nests. They will gather at the fords of Arnon—the river border—trying to escape, but they will have no rest or security. People who do not come under God’s protection will end up wandering, always afraid and never truly safe.

v. 3: The prophet then tells Moab to be kind to God’s people. He says, Take counsel, execute judgment—in other words, think carefully and make wise decisions. Moab should help the Israelites who are suffering and reverse any harsh rules they have made against them. If they show kindness to God’s people now, God will value this more than any sacrifice.

v. 4: The people of Israel, especially those living near Moab, would be in great danger and would need a safe place to stay. The prophet asks Moab to hide the outcasts and not betray them to their enemies, unlike what the Edomites did (Obadiah 1:13-14 ^d). Moab should protect them, even let them live there and become part of their nation. God often uses unexpected people to help His people, and He notices when anyone shows kindness to those in trouble (Hebrews 11:31; Revelation 12:16 ^e). God calls them my outcasts, showing that He still cares for them even when they are rejected by others.

v. 4 (continued) and v. 5: The prophet promises that God’s people will not need help forever. The extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceases—their trouble will not last long. Soon, God will establish the throne of David again in mercy. Hezekiah, as king, will rule with truth and fairness. He will seek judgment and hasten righteousness, meaning he will rule justly and not delay in helping those who need it (Isaiah 16:5 ^f). This is an example for all rulers: be quick to do what is right, and God will bless your nation.

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The Pride of Moab; The Threatening against Moab; The Doom of Moab

This section explains why Moab will face judgment. The prophet Isaiah points out the sins of Moab, especially their pride, anger, and lies. Even though Isaiah offered them good advice and hope, he realizes they would not listen because of their stubborn hearts. The sorrows coming to Moab are a serious warning to anyone who trusts in themselves instead of in God. The passage also shows that the false gods of Moab cannot save them, but the word of the Lord always comes true.

v. 6: Moab is accused of great pride. Isaiah says, We have heard of the pride of Moab . The Moabites were well known for thinking too highly of themselves and looking down on others, even though their own history was humble (Deuteronomy 23:3 ^g). Their pride made them ignore God’s warnings and refuse to help God’s people. Along with pride, they were also known for their anger, especially against God’s people, and their lies, but none of these things would help them in the end. Some say Moab’s pride and anger were actually greater than their strength, meaning they could not live up to their own boasting. Their pride would only bring them ruin.

v. 7: Because of this pride, Moab will face deep sorrow. Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab . Everyone will mourn and cry over the destruction of their country. They will especially grieve for the loss of their cities, like Kir-haraseth, which was once strong but would now be destroyed (2 Kings 3:25 ^h).

v. 8-10: Moab was famous for its rich fields and vineyards, but now all of that would be destroyed. Their best plants would be ruined, and their vines would no longer spread across the land. There would be no more joyful harvests or singing in the vineyards. The happy times they had during harvest would turn into times of sadness and silence. God can easily take away joy from those who do not thank Him. Joy in God lasts, but the joy from things like harvest can be lost quickly (Psalm 4:6-7; Habakkuk 3:17-18 ⁱ).

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v. 11: Isaiah feels great sadness for Moab. He says, My bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab , meaning he feels deep pain inside for their suffering. God’s people should care about the troubles of others, even their enemies.

v. 12: Moab will try to find help by praying to their idols on the high places and in the temple of Chemosh, but it will not work. Moab shall be weary on the high place . Their false gods cannot save them, no matter how hard they pray (Judges 10:14 ^j).

v. 13: Isaiah reminds everyone that this prophecy was spoken by the Lord long ago. This is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning Moab . Nothing can change what God has decided.

v. 14: Now God reveals exactly when this will happen. Within three years, as the years of a hireling—meaning exactly three years—Moab’s glory will be gone. Their great population and strength will become small and weak. They will have only a little remnant left. This warning gave Moab time to change their ways, but if they did not listen, the judgment would surely come (Isaiah 16:14 ^k).