Isaiah 15 - Printer Friendly

What does Isaiah 15 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

During this era of history, Moab's territory included nearly land east of the Dead Sea to the wilderness. The Moabites were descended, in scandal, from Abraham's nephew Lot (Genesis 19:30–38). They shared a long history of antagonism with Israel dating back to the wilderness wanderings. Moab was often mentioned as one of Israel's enemies (Numbers 25:1; 31:15–17; Joshua 24:9; Judges 3:12–14; 2 Kings 1:1), frequently in conflict over disputed territory north and east of the Dead Sea.

This chapter begins a prophecy from the Lord against Moab. The "oracle" shares common content with Jeremiah's predictions (Jeremiah 48). Since the Holy Spirit inspired both passages, it is not surprising there is overlap in their reporting of the future judgment to come on Moab. This oracle is unique because it does not explicitly spell out what form the judgment from the Lord takes. Instead, Isaiah describes the grief and hardship in the aftermath of events that wiped out one city after another in Moab. Commentators suggest that the most likely explanation for Moab's woes would have been Assyrian invaders from the north. These invaders would have destroyed each of the towns mentioned as they made their way south.

Isaiah describes Moab as being undone after the major cities of Ar and Kir are destroyed in one night. The people go up to the temple and high places in the city of Dibon to weep. This grief would likely be directed to the Moabite god Chemosh, who failed to save them from the utter destruction (Judges 11:24; Jeremiah 48:46). The people also weep over the cities of Nebo and Medeba in the north after they are wiped out. Survivors of the massacre go into mourning. The men shave their heads and beards. Everyone wears coarse, dark mourning clothing: sackcloth, a material like burlap worn because it was uncomfortable and ragged. Both in private and in public, all wail and melt in tears for the loss of loved ones, homes, and ways of life. The cities of Heshbon and Elealeh in the north also wail after in their destruction. Their cries are heard by those in the city of Jahaz, to the south. Even the armed men of Moab's army outwardly weep and tremble in their souls at the destruction (Isaiah 15:1–4).

Even Isaiah, speaking God's own message, feels pity for the Moabites as they flee. Fugitives fill the road heading south to the city of Zoar. This destination would be just beyond Moab's border with Edom at the southern end of the Dead Sea. They keep moving south even as they are weeping. They find even more reason to weep when they reach the waters of Nimrim. The oasis is dried up, and the grass is all dead. Rather than finding relief, they find more desolation. The people push on, perhaps leaving their pack animals behind and carrying their last remaining possessions on their own backs. Finally, they reach the Brook of the Willows, or the Ravine of the Poplars. Commentators assume this place to be the Zered Brook, the border between Moab and Edom (Isaiah 15:5–7).

Still, Isaiah concludes, the cry of anguish has travelled from one end of Moab to the other. The water supply of the city of Dibon is contaminated with human remains, due to the great slaughter of the people there. The Lord promises there is more suffering to come for those who escape that initial destruction. He declares that He has prepared "a lion" to come for the remnant of Moab (Isaiah 15:8–9).

Isaiah 15:1–9 describes the great suffering coming to the Moabites when the Lord's judgment falls on their cities. This judgment is likely in the form of invading Assyrian armies from the north. Moab will be undone as one city after another is laid waste. The people will weep before their false god, Chemosh, who did not save them. In mourning, the men will be bald, clean-shaven, and dressed in sackcloth. Refugees of the lost cities will stream south to escape the slaughter. One oasis will be dried up while the water supply of another city is full of blood.

Chapter Summary:

Isaiah's next divine prophecy is against Moab. This nation is Israel's longtime neighbor to the east of the Dead Sea. He describes them as "undone" after the Moabite cities of Ar and Kir are laid waste in a night. The people go to the temple of their god to weep at the destruction. Everyone grieves, and the cry sent up is heard throughout the nation. Fugitives of the slaughter flee south toward the city of Zoar. They find a much-needed oasis is dried up. Meanwhile, the water supply of another city is full of blood. Even after all this, more suffering is to come to the people of Moab.

Chapter Context:

This follows a series of predictions about Babylon, Assyria, and Philistia (Isaiah 13—15). Here begins Isaiah's prophecy about great suffering to come on the people of Moab. After sudden destruction, Moab is shattered. The people weep before the false god who did not save them from the slaughter. Every man is bald and clean-shaven in mourning over all the losses. Fugitives of the massacre flee for their lives, heading south to Zoar, where they only find more devastation. The next chapter explains Moab's request to take refuge in Israel, and the further catastrophe they will endure.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

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