Isaiah 16 - Printer Friendly

What does Isaiah 16 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Isaiah's "oracle," meaning a prophecy, from the Lord against Moab continues and concludes in this chapter. He has described a time coming soon when powerful armies will invade Moab. The marauders will lay waste to the major cities of the nation. Many will die in this invasion, but those who survive will head south to seek safety as refugees. Chapter 15 ended with these fleeing stragglers reaching the border between Moab and Edom. This chapter opens with Moab sending a request to the leaders of Judah to allow refugees fleeing from Moab to shelter in their nation.

Someone suggests that the Moabite refugees send a "landlord's lamb" to Jerusalem. A landlord's lamb is a tribute paid to an overlord for his protection and provision. Mesha, the most famous of Moab's kings, once sent tributes of lambs to Israel's King Ahab. The Moabites describe their situation to Judah by explaining how the women of Moab had to run for their lives for the fords of the Arnon River. The speaker is comparing this to birds shooting out of a nest when it is disturbed. Not all commentators interpret the text in the same way, but Isaiah seems to show the Moabites asking the leaders of Judah to give counsel and grant justice to them by allowing them to shelter in Judah. They ask Judah to provide shelter from the oppression in their own land and to not to reveal their location to their enemy (Isaiah 16:1–3).

Moab continues by asking for permission to shelter in Judah from their enemy. Not all commentators agree on who is supposed to be speaking these words. The one asking for shelter appears to say that when the oppressor is no more, the throne of Israel will be established in love. A new king will sit in the tent of David, and He will seek justice and righteousness. The speaker clearly echoes Isaiah's prophecies about the coming of the Messiah written in chapters 2, 9, and 11 (Isaiah 16:4–5).

Isaiah describes the pride, arrogance, and insolence of Moab. The Moabites' boasting about their wealth and abundance is all empty words since it can be taken away in a night. He calls for Moab to wail and howl at their losses and everyone else to join in He includes mourning at the loss of the raisin cakes produced in Moab (Isaiah 16:6–7).

The prophet describes the fields of Heshbon in northern Moab and the productive vine of nearby Sibmah. Using metaphor, Isaiah relates how the vine reached farther north to Jazer and east to the desert. Going as far as west across the Dead Sea. In short, the products from that vine—raisin cakes and likely wine—were shipped off around the region. That will all end when the invading army that will soon come strikes down the vines' branches (Isaiah 16:8).

The prophet himself mourns along with Jazer for what is happening. The joyful shouting of the grape harvest will come to an end. No more harvest songs. No more happy shouts. Isaiah says that his insides moan like a lyre for these losses (Isaiah 16:9–11).

With the oracle concluded, Isaiah mentions that Moab's prayers to their god will not prevail. No matter how much they tire themselves out in the effort, the false god will remain silent. He adds that this prophecy has existed for a time, but now the Lord has revealed it will happen in three years (Isaiah 16:12–14).

Isaiah 16:1–14 begins with an official request to settle in Judah, spoken by Moabite refugees. This request is followed by a declaration that a descendant of David will establish the throne of Israel with love and righteousness when the oppressor is no more. Isaiah points to the arrogance of Moab regarding their abundance. This pride will be shown to be empty talk since it can be taken away in a night. Isaiah calls everyone to wail for Moab's losses and weep for the end of the grape harvest and its products. He reveals the judgment will fall in three years.

Chapter Summary:

The refugees of Moab send a tribute to Jerusalem and make an official request to shelter in Judah due to the oppression of the enemy in their own land. After the oppressor is no more, the throne of the Messiah will be established in Israel. Moab's pride and arrogance about their abundance are revealed to be empty talk since it can all be taken away in a night. Isaiah calls everyone to wail and mourn for the suffering of Moab. He weeps for the loss of the grape harvest. The prophet announces this judgement will happen in three years.

Chapter Context:

Prior chapters included predictions about Assyria, Babylon, and Philistia. Chapter 15 introduces a prophecy about an enemy invading Moab. Chapter 16 finds the Moabite refugees in Sela. They ask Judah for shelter. Isaiah points to the pride and arrogance of Moab about their wealth that can be taken away in a single night. He calls everyone to mourn with him for the loss of the grape harvest and its products in Moab. The Moabites' prayers to their god will not prevent judgment from falling on them in three years. The next prophecy, in chapter 17, deals with Damascus.

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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