1 Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
2 For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
3 Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
6 We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.
7 Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.
9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
11 Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.
12 And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.
13 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
14 But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.
Isaiah Chapter 16, found in the Old Testament of the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible, is a continuation from the previous chapter, Isaiah 15, and focuses primarily on the prophecy of the destruction of Moab, a historical kingdom located in the modern-day region of Jordan. This chapter provides a detailed forecast of the impending doom that awaits Moab and offers an insight into the divine judgment and mercy of God.
The chapter begins with a call for the Moabites to send tribute to the ruler of the land, symbolizing their submission and need for protection. However, the Moabites' pride and refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty leads to their downfall. The chapter vividly describes the desolation and mourning that will befall Moab, emphasizing the severity of divine judgment for those who resist God. The vineyards of Heshbon and Sibmah, symbols of Moab's economic prosperity, will wither, and joy and gladness will be taken away from the fertile fields.
The prophecy continues to describe how Moab's mighty men will be slain, and its inhabitants will wail and mourn. The cities and fortresses of Moab will be destroyed, and its rulers will be cut down. The chapter also presents a timeframe for this prophecy, stating that within three years, Moab's glory and population will be diminished.
A recurring theme in Isaiah Chapter 16 is the divine judgment and mercy of God. The destruction of Moab is a clear demonstration of God's judgment on those who refuse to submit to His authority and live in pride and rebellion. The prophet Isaiah, serving as God's mouthpiece, announces this judgment with sorrow, knowing that the people of Moab have brought this calamity upon themselves due to their stubbornness and pride.
However, interspersed within the prophecy of doom are hints of God's mercy. Isaiah pleads with Moab to seek God's protection, to "send the lamb to the ruler of the land," and to "be a shelter to outcasts." Despite Moab's rebellion, God is still willing to extend His mercy if they turn to Him. This juxtaposition of judgment and mercy is a powerful reminder of God's character, who "does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live" (Ezekiel 33:11).
Isaiah Chapter 16 serves as a profound lesson about the consequences of pride and rebellion against God. The Moabites, in their self-reliance and arrogance, refused to submit to God, leading to their downfall. This serves as a stark warning to all who read it, reminding us of the dangers of pride and the importance of humble submission to God's authority.
At the same time, it also highlights the mercy of God, who, despite our rebellion and sin, is willing to forgive and restore us if we turn to Him. This chapter, therefore, serves as a call to repentance, urging us to forsake our pride and self-reliance and instead seek God's mercy and protection.
Furthermore, Isaiah Chapter 16 is a testament to the accuracy and reliability of biblical prophecy. The detailed predictions of Moab's downfall were fulfilled historically, demonstrating the divine inspiration of the Bible and the infallibility of God's Word. This instills confidence in the reader about the reliability of other biblical prophecies, many of which are yet to be fulfilled.
In conclusion, Isaiah Chapter 16 is a powerful chapter that deals with themes of divine judgment, mercy, pride, and prophecy. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of arrogance and rebellion against God, while also highlighting God's mercy and willingness to forgive those who turn to Him. The chapter underscores the importance of humble submission to God's authority and the need for repentance. Moreover, it affirms the accuracy and reliability of biblical prophecy, instilling confidence in the divine inspiration and infallibility of God's Word.
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