Major Prophets · Chapter 16 of 66

Isaiah 16

The lament over Moab continues with a plea and a promise. Moab is urged to send tribute lambs to Zion and to shelter Judah's fugitives, and a hope is raised of a throne established in mercy in David's tent, a righteous judge. But Moab's proud refusal seals its grief. The prophet wails inwardly like a harp for Moab's ruined vineyards and silenced harvest, and sets a three-year limit on its glory.

What happens in Isaiah 16

Isaiah counsels Moab to send the lamb of tribute to the ruler in Zion, from Sela through the wilderness to Jerusalem, as its scattered daughters flutter like birds at the fords of Arnon. He urges Moab to shelter the outcasts and not betray the wanderer, for the oppressor will end. Then comes a bright flash of hope: in mercy a throne will be established, and one will sit on it in truth in the tent of David, judging and hastening righteousness.

Yet Moab's arrogance ruins the offer; the prophet has heard of Moab's great pride, and warns that its boasts are empty. So Moab must howl for itself, mourning the ruined vineyards of Kir-hareseth. Isaiah joins the grief, watering Heshbon and Elealeh with tears as the harvest shouts fall silent. His inmost being sounds like a harp for Moab, and he adds that within three years Moab's glory will be brought low, its remnant small and feeble.

Isaiah 16 in context

This chapter completes the Moab oracle begun in chapter 15, mixing lament, appeal, and a datable prophecy of Moab's humbling within three years. The plea to shelter fugitives reflects the refugee crises of the Assyrian era.

Embedded in the dirge is a Davidic hope, a throne founded on mercy and righteousness, which momentarily lifts the eyes above Moab's ruin toward the kind of just reign only the ideal king of David's line could provide.

Main themes of Isaiah 16

Isaiah 16 (KJV)

1Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. 2For 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. 3Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth. 4Let 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. 5And 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. 6We 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. 7Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken. 8For 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. 9Therefore 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. 10And 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. 11Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh. 12And 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. 13This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time. 14But 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.

Verses to carry from Isaiah 16

“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.”Isaiah 16:4

“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.”Isaiah 16:5

“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

Reflection

Two things stand side by side here: an open door of mercy and a proud heart that slams it shut. God still holds out a throne of mercy and calls you to shelter the outcast. Do not let pride, which insists on its own way, refuse the very grace being offered. Receive mercy, and extend it.

A prayer from Isaiah 16