This is the fourth Lesson looking at Moab, a little thirty-mile square nation east of the Dead Sea. But comprised of a people distantly related to the Jews. This “fourth lesson” idea is Isaiah’s, not mine! He has given that Country two whole chapters in his gigantic sixty-six chapter Corpus. (In an Isaianic “subset” known as the “Prophecies against the Nations.” Comprising Isaiah chapters 13 through 23.)
“Sad but true,” might be a way to categorize today’s Text. A single verse describing Moab’s religious (?) life. Or more precisely, the “futility” of idol worship!
“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.” Penned at Isaiah 16:12.
Look at the context, the location of the Sentence. “The high place,” where his altar is built, where he prays to his (false) god. In Hebrew this word is “bamah.” (Interestingly, the Greek word for “judgment seat” … which was simply a “high place” where the judge or umpire sat, is “bema!” But I can conclusively prove no correlation between the two words.)
Moab has gone up there (look at the verse again) “to pray.” In Hebrew, “palal,” meaning “to make supplication, to entreat,” almost “to beg” his god for something!
Note that this place of debauchery and filth … in God’s Eyes … is called by the Moabites a “sanctuary!” Basically a “holy place!” Oh how perverted, depraved, lost mankind really is!
The major god of the Moabites was “Chemosh” (meaning “one who subdues”) They though it helped them conquer their enemies! This “thing” (maybe should I say “demon”) allowed these poor people to slaughter (anyone they didn’t like) at will! Also to commit fornication and adultery and incest and (even) child sacrifice “with impunity!” (Impunity is a Latin word, derivative … meaning “without punishment or penalty.”)
And, not to forget our Text, the Moabites are worshipping this Chemosh character. “Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.”
Praying, but “weary!” Again the Hebrew is “laah,” which can mean “to be impatient!” Exasperated with his god! This verb is further translated in the King James Version “grieved” (2 times) and “faint” (1 time). There is “no peace” offered by this god!
And Moab’s prayers “shall not prevail” either! Now the verb is “yakol,” used 195 times in the Old Testament, meaning “to overcome, to be able,” and even “to endure.”
No “strength” either, in Moab’s god!
(By the way, Isaiah dearly loves to “deride” and “make fun” of false gods and goddesses! Because, of course, he knows the One True God!)
Now, let’s close today by contrasting Moab’s god “Chemosh” with Judah’s God “Jehovah.” (The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, too!)
He (Jehovah) can give peace! He can take away weariness! (“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Spoken by Jesus, God the Son, in Matthew 11:28.)
Also He (Jehovah) can give his people “power to prevail!” (Read this testimony: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Spoken by Paul the Apostle in Philippians 4:134.)
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell