Isaiah: God’s Help. My Terms.

Isaiah 15-16 

Do you ever want God’s help on your terms? Deliverance by your design? Salvation by your strategy? You need help, want help, and would appreciate help, but with the caveat that you control the timing and the process. I have been there a few times. In today’s passage, Isaiah 15-16, Moab desires Judah’s support but wants nothing to do with Judah’s God. Let’s set the context and then delve into the passage. 

The book of Isaiah has been called “the miniature Bible.” It contains sixty-six chapters that correspond to the sixty-six books in Scripture. Chapters 1-39 relate to the Old Testament’s focus on righteousness, holiness, and justice, while chapters 40-66 emphasize the New Testament’s focus on God’s compassion and grace through Jesus. Isaiah is Christocentric—always anchored in the coming Messiah from the first chapter to the last. Let's pause here and acknowledge that God’s Word is amazing!

In Chapters 1-12, Isaiah prophesies against Judah. He then shifts to prophecies concerning the nations, primarily those that are enemies of Judah. Eleven of these nations are addressed in chapters 13-27. Our study today predicts the demise of Moab, a country located east of the Dead Sea in modern-day Jordan.

Isaiah’s “oracle,” his heavy message delivered in Isaiah 15-16, was given three years before the impending destruction (Isa 16:14). The Assyrians were on the move and would occupy the entire region. When Isaiah wrote this oracle, the Moabite cities of Ar and Kir had already been captured. He stated that both towns were “laid waste in a night” (Isa. 15:1).

The Moabites, descendants of Lot (from his incestuous union with his firstborn daughter—Gen. 19:30-38) and sworn enemies of Israel (Num. 25; 31; Dt. 23:3), appealed to their gods for help but found none (Isa. 15:2). They shaved their heads and beards as signs of mourning. Remember from our study in Job that the first action he took after the catastrophe hit was to tear his robes and shave his head (Job 1:20; other examples: Jer. 47:5; Ezek. 7:18; et al.). They also put on sackcloth, a coarse, dark fabric, illustrating the inward darkness of their mourning (Isa.15:3). Even the brave soldiers cried out loudly and trembled because they were not strong enough to protect the people (Isa. 15:4). The fugitives ran for their lives. Still, they couldn’t find a place to secure water or food. The “waters of Dibon are full of blood,” a sign that many have been killed by Moab’s foes (Isa. 15:6-9).

During the Assyrian assault, Moab could have found protection and care in Judah. Moab needed Judah’s help, but did not want Judah’s God. Isaiah had already prophesied that Jerusalem would be spared (Isa. 10:24-34). They could have sent lambs as a tribute (Isa. 16:1). The women of Moab were as fearful and shaken as birds scattered from their nests (Isa. 16:2). They said:

Isaiah 16:3-4a
Give counsel; grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; shelter the outcasts; do not reveal the fugitive; let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer. 

In Isaiah 16:5, today’s Anchor Point, Isaiah gives a picture of the coming Messiah:

Isaiah 16:5
Then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.

God’s throne will be established in “steadfast love,” a translation of the beautiful Hebrew word, hesed, which describes God’s deep and lasting love based on a covenantal relationship. Hesed is a love that will never let us go. The One who will sit on the throne is from the house of David, just as God promised (2 Sam. 7:16). He will “sit in faithfulness.” He “seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.” Only through Judah will this take place. Israel is the nation through which God sent the Messiah, the eternal King.

Moab needed to turn to God in their weakness; however, they were filled with arrogance, pride, and insolence (Isa. 16:6). “Therefore, let Moab wail for Moab, let everyone wail…” (Isa. 16:7). Their delightful produce, which had been enjoyed, would cease (Isa. 16:7-10). Even though Moab is an enemy of the Jews, Isaiah holds a tender place in his heart for them. He said, “My heart cries out for Moab” (Isa. 15:5). “Therefore, I weep…I drench you with my tears…” (Isa. 16:9), and “my inner parts moan…” (Isa. 16:11). Moab continued to trust in their worthless gods. They desired deliverance on their terms while persistently pursuing their pagan gods for help. However, those gods ultimately failed them.

Isaiah 16:12
And when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, when he comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not prevail. 

This is a great example and warning for us. We will never succeed when we seek God’s help on our terms. Seeking God’s help starts with surrendering to his way and his timing. When we trust in him wholeheartedly, he will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6). Walking on the paths God has for us is true spiritual renewal!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on God’s warning to Moab in Isaiah 15-16. Focus on our Anchor Point: Isaiah 16:5 and its contrast to setting ourselves on the throne of our lives.

Talking to God: Ask God to show you if there are any areas of your life where you are praying for his help on your terms. 

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