Today look at the first 2 verses of Isaiah chapter 17. “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus.” 

Isaiah obviously continues his series of judgments. Pronouncements of doom against (wicked) foreign nations, here (looks like) specifically targeting Syria, whose capital city is Damascus.

She was to be overcome by some (unidentified) aggressor. Likely Assyria, one suspects. (And now “history” illustrates, proves the accuracy of Isaiah’s “prophecy.”)

But … I have titled the Lesson “a strange combination.” What might that be?

(Do remember that Isaiah has earlier rebuked King Ahaz of Judah for being in “alliance” with the King of Syria, Rezin! This confrontation/sermon occurred back in Isaiah chapter seven. You could also consult 2 Kings 16:5 for further proof of this unwise alliance.)

Now … it looks like Ahaz did NOT heed Isaiah’s admonition, and remained “confederate” with Syria (Damascus) and was defeated right alongside them! Again, history says “by Assyria” from the north!

Israel and the very ungodly Syrians?

That IS a strange combination! 

Let’s look in our Text for some evidence of this terrible situation: “Aroer” once belonged to Israel! “And the children of Gad (Jews  certainly) built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer …” Quoting Numbers 32:34. But now “Aroer” is linked to Syria!

Look yet again: this time at the first line in verse 3 … “The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim (Israel), and the kingdom from Damascus.” 

God’s people the Jews (Israel the northern kingdom also known as Ephraim, the name of its most dominant Tribe) are now “part of” Isaiah’s denunciation of (of all people, very surprising) Syria! One Bible teacher quipped, accurately and sadly: “Ephraim has been ‘subsumed’ into Syria!” She had become that weak! Her so-called friends have turned against her! (Wicked people are not always loyal people, either!)

Dark days indeed for Israel. 

Yes folks, it matters whom we choose as friends!

Had they only learned the godly principle repeated by Paul many years later (but already written into the Mosaic Code) … “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

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

 

Well, God hates sin.

Period!

But in most of the “vice lists” (a litany of wicked deeds or attitudes) in the Bible, PRIDE is at least near the top, if not at the very top! (If you recall, Isaiah chapter 14 places “pride” as the root cause of Satan’s, Lucifer’s “fall” from heaven.)

Such (pride) is the case today as we consider (yes, again) the nation of Moab.

“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.” Isaiah 16:6

In the King James Bible (Old Testament) the primary noun for “pride” (spelled “gaon” in Hebrew) is translated as follows: “excellency, majesty, pomp, swelling,” and twice “arrogancy.” 

And do note here that Moab is “very proud!”

The noun “wrath” (in Hebrew “ebrah”) essentially is “rage.”

And that last line, “his lies shall not be so,” simply means that the “lies” Moab has propagated will not  come to pass. Nothing he mouths is reliable! 

What “linkage!”

Pride almost always leads to lying! Because a proud man or woman feels (being so self-centered) that he or she is the final arbiter of what is true or false! (Sounds like post-modernism! The fallacy that truth is subjective, not absolute. That YOU decide what is true or right for yourself. That YOU determine your own reality!)

Yes, that’s pride.

Proverbs 6:16 and 17 … “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a PROUD look, a lying tongue …” Like I said, “at the top of the list!”

How is such pride conquered?

Proverbs 8:13 tells us. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”

The more one loves God, the more he hates pride!

The downfall of Moab, and many other nations I suspect, PRIDE!

One more verse this busy Saturday … “Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 1st Peter 5:5

Wow!

I heard a Preacher define “pride” as: “My taking credit for something God has done in my life!” 

That one is worth remembering!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

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!” 

 

Actually Isaiah gives two whole chapters (15 and 16) to his denunciation of the little nation/kingdom of “Moab.” Maybe because those people were distantly related to the Israelites! (Moab was the child of that infamously incestuous relationship between one of the daughters of Lot and her own father! See Genesis 19:37 for the documentation.) Get this …  “Moab” literally means “of my father,” she freely admitting that her baby’s “dad” was her own father, Lot!

Wow!

Today we shall just notice Isaiah 15, and only part of the chapter at that! (With more to come later.)

There is (when Isaiah wrote, these predicted events were still in the future) a looming danger confronting Moab. And her devastation is miraculously described in some detail.

“The burden of Moab.” (Isaiah 15:1a) This simply means that God had placed this Sermon/Message (literally)  Heavy Load on the Prophet’s heart. And he was compelled to preach it!

Listen!

The enemy is coming. And he “annihilates” one Moabite city after another! Isaiah even names the cities, these places! I will capitalize them for you. “Because in the night AR of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night KIR of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence. He (the citizenry of Moab) is gone up to BAJITH, and to DIBON, the high places (where altars to false gods were built), to weep. Moab shall howl over NEBO, and over MEDEBA: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly. 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 15:1b-4 (when a verse numeration contains an “a” or “b,” it simply means the “first part” of the verse, or the “second part” of the verse. I have seen verses further labeled “c” or “d” or even “e,” if they were sufficiently long enough units of Scripture!)

City after city, fallen!

I at first thought Isaiah (or the enemy) was going from south to north. But that pattern did not hold consistent. Looks like their adversary is “all over the place!” Ravaging at random, at will!

“Ar” is mentioned 6 times in the Bible, thought to be a town way down south in Moab.

By the way … “Moab” is a little Land only about 30 miles by 30 miles (roughly square) in area! It sat east of the Dead Sea. Its western boundary basically was the Dead Sea, its eastern boundary the uninviting desert!

“Kir” (another little city) is mentioned 5 times in the Bible!

“Bajith” only here, in all God’s Word! (“Gone forever,” the archaeologist fears!)

“Dibon,” another Moabite location, means (in Hebrew) “wasting!”

“Nebo,” the area where Moses died, is named for one of the heathen deities of that day.

“Medeba” means “water of rest,” maybe an oasis?

“Bald heads and ‘cut-off’ beards?” What ancient captors did to their enemies, their “prey!” One of the less painful things! These acts were considered quite “shameful” to a man! (Much like hanging a crucifixion victim on a cross naked!)

Notice the reaction of the people, the Moabites …“howling!” Weeping loudly over their ravaged land!

Verse 3 amplifies this action even further: “In their streets they (the fleeced Moabites) shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.” 

“Heshbon” is mentioned 38 times in the Old Testament! And is at times associated with different little City/States. This place initially belonged to the Israelites, but they lost it to the Moabites prior to the Babylonian Captivity.

“Elealeh” means “God is ascending!” and is another Jewish town “appropriated” by the Moabites in some hostile action. (The Moabites were not kind to the people of Israel!)

And “Jahaz,” the last named city in today’s Text … this one being hard (if not impossible) to now locate/identify. Such a fact however does not deter our believing this account of Isaiah’s, not one little bit.

Moab under attack!  (Folks, I am right now thinking of the verse … “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Located at Numbers 32:23.)

But, who was the enemy?

He is unnamed, at least in Isaiah 11.

But in all likelihood, his identity is “Assyria.” 

She was becoming the major “bully” back at that time.

Does God KNOW, or what?

Is God in control?

Yes!

If nothing else, Passages like this should bring us to our knees, admiring the Awesome Greatness of our Lord in Heaven. The KING of all kings!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Lord willing, more tomorrow about Moab. A very interesting Lesson upcoming, I believe. There is something different about this Oracle/Sermon against Moab. I’ll show you more in the morning.