What does Isaiah 16:9 mean?
In a surprising statement, Isaiah weeps. He has been describing the impending judgment of the Lord on arrogant and proud Moab. Yet he cries over the suffering and ramifications of that judgment (Isaiah 16:6–8). Commentators suggest two possibilities of what Isaiah's tears mean.On the one hand, perhaps Isaiah is being sarcastic. He may only be claiming to show heart-felt grief about the suffering of a people God is judging. This mockery may relate to the similar taunt-song about the fallen king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4–21).
Other commentators insist that Isaiah's tears for Moab are genuine. Even more, Isaiah's tears may reflect the heart of the Lord. Perhaps Isaiah's sadness during this oracle is meant to express God's sadness at the pain that flows from His judgment. Even while delivering judgement that is just and right, the Lord does not delight in seeing people suffer (Ezekiel 33:11).
In either case, Isaiah says he mourns alongside those in Jazer, a city to the north, for the lost products that came from the vine of Sibmah. This is a vineyard that would have been near Heshbon. No more will loud celebrations during the harvest time of the summer fruit be heard in those fields (Isaiah 16:10). The simple pleasures of that life, and the economic boon of that business, will have ended when Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in three years' time (Isaiah 16:14).