Isaiah 16:1-5

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
1.

MOAB (Continued)

b. INVITATION

TEXT: Isaiah 16:1-5

1

Send ye the lambs for the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.

2

For it shall be that, as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so shall the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.

3

Give counsel, execute justice; make thy shade as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; betray not the fugitive.

4

Let mine outcasts dwell with thee; as for Moab, be thou a covert to him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortioner is brought to nought, destruction ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

5

And a throne shall be established in lovingkindness; and one shall sit thereon in truth, in the tent of David, judging, and seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.

QUERIES

a.

Why send lambs unto the mount of Zion?

b.

Who is to sit upon the throne in the tent of David?

PARAPHRASE

I counsel you Moab to send to Judah, the daughter of Zion, for help. Send a token of submission, a tribute of lambs, to the ruler of Judah. Unless you get help from Judah your panic and confusion will increase until you are absolutely helpless. You must say to Judah, Give counsel; grant that justice shall be done for us; give us such protection that it will be like a night-shade in the midst of the noonday; hide our outcasts and do not betray our fugitives. You must say, Let my neglected ones sojourn among you. Be a hidingplace for them from before the face of the destroyer. The oppressor and extortioner of Judah has been vanquished out of Judah's land and there is peace there now. And a throne will be established in steadfast love; and a man shall sit on it in truth and faithfulness from the family of David, ruling and judging in justice and eager to do righteousness.

COMMENTS

Isaiah 16:1-2 PREDICAMENT: Moab's predicament is such that she is in a state of panic (Cf. Isaiah 15:4), Confusion reigns. Isaiah's compassion for suffering humanity moves him to counsel Moab to plead with Judah for help. When Moab was formerly under the rule of Judah (2 Kings 3:4 ff) Moab paid tribute to Judah in the form of sheep and lambs. Judah protected Moab as long as this arrangement continued. But Moab revolted from the rule of Judah. Now Moab has suffered invasion and enemies are despoiling its people. Isaiah's advice is for Moab to turn in a submissive attitude, sending a tribute of lambs, to Judah and plead for Judah's help and protection. If Moab does not, her panic and confusion will increase until she is homeless like a bird whose nest is scattered!

Isaiah 16:3-4 PLEA: Isaiah's advice continues. The prophet suggests even the words Moab is to use in its plea to Judah. Moab should ask Judah to do a risky thing. Moab is to plead with Judah to give asylum to the displaced refugees; hide them; protect them. Moab is to plead with Judah to act toward them as they never acted toward Judah. Moab is to ask for mercy, justice, compassion and sacrificial goodness.

In the middle of Isaiah 16:4, Isaiah appears to redirect his dialogue from advising Moab to relating a new historical situation that prevails in Judah's case. Something had apparently occurred to relieve Judah (temporarily) of the oppression of the forces of Assyria so that Judah would be well able to give aid to the refugees of Moab. What caused this present availability of Judah is not recorded but the prophet assures Moab it is present.

Isaiah 16:5 PROMISE: This is a very intriguing verse. It has been considered as a Messianic passage as far back as the time of the Targum (Aramaic translations and interpretations of the Hebrew texts which date in oral form back to the Persian captivities). Isaiah indicates it was taken for granted that the Moabites had some knowledge of the divine purpose in the nation of Judah. The account of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz confirms this. The Moabites were idolaters but they knew the nature of David's throne. When a disaster faces men they are able to recall a much more complete knowledge of God's truth than at any other time. Isaiah seems to say, If you come to seek refuge under the wings of Judah we will give you a share even of the best that our heritage has to offersour Messianic hope. Here is one of the many passages in the prophets where the truth concerning the Christ of the Jews is offered to those of other nations. Israel has a throne with a future, not like the unstable thrones of the most powerful nations round about. This one will be established by virtue of the steadfast love of Jehovah. The throne involves the tabernacle (house) of David (Cf. Amos 9:11)the lineage of David. It involves the rule of One who will judge justly and righteously to a degree never displayed in any earthly ruler (Cf. Isaiah 9:6 ff; Isaiah 11:1-10; Micah 5:2 ff). The very fact that this Messianic hope was offered to Moab (a nation outside the Hebrew covenant) proves once and for all that the Messianic expectations as expressed by the O.T. prophets were not tenuous and vaguethey were specific and clear!

QUIZ

1.

Why does Isaiah intercede and direct Moab to seek help from Judah?

2.

What are Isaiah's directions to Moab?

3.

How is it possible for Judah, at this time, to give help to Moab?

4.

What is so intriguing about Isaiah 16:5?

5.

Were the Moabites expected to understand the divine destiny of Israel?

6.

How could Isaiah offer Messianic hope to Moab?