Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What was Moab’s reputation (see Isaiah 16:6a printed below?) But what is his present condition (see Isaiah 16:6b-7 printed below?)
We have heard of Moab’s pride, that he is very proud. We have heard of his arrogance and his pride and his wrath. (Isaiah 16:6a)
But all his boastings have come to an end! (7) Therefore the Moabites wail over their plight, all of Moab wails; they mourn over the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth, because they are utterly devastated. (Isaiah 16:6b-7)
Moab had a reputation for pride, arrogance, and wrath: “We have heard of Moab’s pride, that he is very proud. We have heard of his arrogance and his pride and his wrath” (16:6). But 16:6 is describing the way Moab used to be; now he has been totally devastated. God has brought into his life something he cannot handle; consequently, his pride has been broken.
2. What has caused this change in Moab’s attitude? See Isaiah 16:7b-8 (printed below) Note: Moab’s prosperity had been derived from their vineyards and the raisin cakes they produced.
…they mourn over the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth, because they are utterly devastated. (8) They mourn because the fields of Heshbon wither, and also the vines of Sibmah. The rulers of the nations have trampled down the choice vines that once reached as far as Jazer and spread out towards the wilderness—their shoots spread out and went as far as the Mediterranean Sea! (Isaiah 16:7b-8)
Verse 8 is describing the vineyards of Moab as luxurious vines that once stretched out over the wilderness and even extended as far as the sea. The point is that the raisin cake produced by the fruit of the vineyard was a commodity that found great international markets. But, as the verse indicates, this has all been devastated by the invading armies of the Assyrians.
3. How are the people of Moab described in Isaiah 15:5,7 and Isaiah 16:2 (printed below?)
My heart cries out over Moab; his fugitives flee as far as Zoar, as far as Eglath Shelishiyah. They go up the ascent of Luhith, weeping as they go; on the road to Horonaim they lament their destruction…(7) Therefore the wealth they have acquired and stored up they carry away over the Ravine of the Poplars. (Isaiah 15:5,7)
Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon River. (Isaiah 16:2)
Once proud and secure, Moab has now been reduced to a band of homeless refugees, carrying away with them a few personal belongings. In 16:2 Moab is described as a flock of birds, scattered from their nest, in fear and desperation gathering at the fords of the Arnon River (which formed the border with Judah.)
4. How are the people of God to respond to these refugees who now gather at the border of the land of Judah? See Isaiah 16:3-4a (printed below)
Give them counsel, execute justice on their behalf; make your shadow over them like night in the middle of the day! Hide the fugitives; do not betray the refugees! (4) Let my fugitives stay with you, be a hiding place for Moab from the face of the destroyer (Isaiah 16:3-4a)
In 16:3-4a the Lord commands His people to show mercy to these desperate Moabite refugees: “Give them counsel, execute justice on their behalf” (16:3a). In other words, the people of God are being commanded to do what is right in the sight of God with regard to these people in need. The people of God are further commanded to “make your shadow over them like night in the middle of the day! Hide the fugitives; do not betray the refugees!” (16:3b) They are to provide relief and refreshment for such a neighbor in need, come to their aid (receive him, befriend him, provide for him for Jesus’ sake.) Then the Lord declares, “Let my fugitives stay with you, be a hiding place for Moab” (16:4). We are to view such a neighbor in need as precious to the Lord, a person in whom the Lord has an interest and for whom He has concern; one who needs the Lord, one whom the Lord may choose to bring to Christ through our ministry.
5. What reasons does the Lord give as to why His people are to show compassion to Moab’s refugees? See Isaiah 16:4b-5 (printed below)
…the oppressor has come to an end, destruction has ceased, the aggressors have vanished from the land. (5) Furthermore, a throne will be established by mercy—surely one shall sit upon it in the tent of David, rendering judgments, seeking justice, and being swift to do what is right. (Isaiah 16:4b-5)
God’s people are to receive these refugees “because the oppressor has come to an end, destruction has ceased, the aggressors have vanished from the land” (16:4b). The Lord indicates to His people that the remnant of Moab is not to be feared: all that once served to make Moab a feared enemy—an oppressor and aggressor—has been done away with, he is now a humble suppliant pleading for mercy and in need of compassion. In 16:5 the Lord indicates that another reason Moab should find mercy in Judah is the fact that “a throne (i.e.; a government) shall be established by mercy.” That is to say, a government shall be strong and secure if it displays mercy—indeed, the Lord’s throne of mercy and justice shall be located there.
