We’re not “through” with Moab yet!

Though today we are still in Isaiah 15 … the Prophet continues his divinely inspired Jeremiad against these people throughout the next chapter as well, Isaiah 16.

But today, one more thought is dominating my heart.

But first, listen to the Moabites themselves as they cry out in pain, agony, grief. “And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.” (Isaiah 15:4, King James Version) The (Assyrian) attack against them is so fierce, so deadly! Both Heshbon and Elealeh are both places (cities) in the little country of Moab. Then add the nation’s “military.” They are afraid too! (I might add the fact that two different verbs for “crying” are used here … both “zaaq” (meaning “to cry as a group, in assembly”) and “rua” (meaning “to shout loudly, as when giving an alarm”)!

The Moabites here are either panicking or crying (groaning, moaning) in horror, maybe with little difference existing between these two responses.

Then, something I didn’t say yesterday, notice verse 5. It is personal! Either expressing the “ethos” of Almighty God or of the Prophet Isaiah himself. “My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.” (Isaiah 15:5)

Especially that first clause … “My heart shall cry out for Moab!”

Is this concern?

Compassion?

Maybe even empathy?

Yes!

I am saying … as Moab suffered, Isaiah suffered.

Or … as Moab suffered, God suffered!

I can prove this concept (never leaving Isaiah, in fact) … at least when Israel (God’s people) suffers. “In all their affliction He (the Lord) was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” Isaiah 63:9

Wow!

But for God and His man to be “touched” with the agonies of the wicked, rebellious Moabites?

Astounding!

Here it is again, our Text today … “My heart shall cry out for Moab.”

This gracious “Feeling” is not overtly stated regarding the judgments that fall upon the other nations in Isaiah’s litany here, in chapters 13-23.

Only toward Moab!

Why?

Maybe because the Moabites were related to the Israelites!

Remember, Moab was the son of the wicked “coming together” of one of Lot’s daughters and her own Daddy! Incest for sure!

Yet, even under those circumstances … Lot was Abraham’s Nephew!

And thusly, related to him by blood!

(I started to entitle today’s Lesson “Blood is thicker than water!”)

No expressed physical affinity/kindship with the Assyrians or the Philistines or the Babylonians! But yes, with the Moabites. Hence (I think) this note of love and compassion!

Do not forget. God in Heaven right now is also “touched” with our sorrows, hardships, trials. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Hebrews 4:15

Wow!

“My heart shall cry out for Moab.”

This Sentiment is also reiterated in Isaiah 16, in tomorrow’s Lesson. “Therefore I will bewail (the Hebrew verb ‘bakah’ = to shed tears) with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears (sounds a bit like Jeremiah, the weeping Prophet), O Heshbon, and Elealeh.” Verse 9

And once again, later in Isaiah 16 the same expression of sympathy. “Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.” Verse 11

Compassion for the family!

Even when they are wrong!

Even when they deserve what they’re enduring!

Even when God is whipping them!

Wow!

Yes, Moab as a nation seems to be destined for a place in God’s Future. Jeremiah 48:47 … “Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.” (No doubt about the Identity of the Speaker here!)

Truly … “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his COMPASSIONS fail not. They are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23

What a God!

“Oh, come let us adore Him!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Sing unto Him today, “HOW GREAT THOU ART!”