Moab Will Be Degraded

When King Ahaz of Judah died in 715 B.C., his son Hezekiah became king in his stead. The fall of Samaria in 722 BC was still fresh in the region and the armies of King Sargon of Assyria were still expanding out to take over the entire region. God had been speaking words to Isaiah against other regional powers like the Philistines. The Word of the LORD has been a burden on Isaiah’s heart against Moab for a while, for though they had aligned themselves with Assyria in their battles against Israel, they soon would fall. This prophecy against them also is time stamped with a definitive date.

The oracle against Moab foresaw their major cities being overthrown. Ar, Kir, Dibon, Nebo, Medeba, Heshbon, Elealah, Jahaz, Zoar, Luhith, Eglath-shelishiyah, and Horonaim are all specifically mentioned. The Land of Moab was situated on the eastern side of the Dead Sea, between the Arnon River on the north and the brook Zered on the south. Ammon, his brother, held lands to the north, and Edom the lands to the south. Their land is currently part of Jordan. The entire land, which was not a large place, would be affected. All of the peoples within would be displaced and overcome with the wailing of loss.

’In the streets they have girded themselves with sackcloth; on their housetops and in their squares everyone is wailing, dissolved in tears.’ Isaiah’s own heart goes out to the fugitives of Moab as they go out of their land weeping over the ruin within. He foresees them fleeing in every direction, away from the armies of Assyria who will decimate them. Those who cross the Arnon in the north will also face the armies of Assyria, and God even tells of an added woe they would face in Dibon - lions would be unleashed on them. Assyria was well known for their love of lions, which they kept as pets and hunted everywhere they went. 

The daughters of Moab would assemble at the fords of the Arnon and seek direction, not knowing what to do next. They would beg neighboring lands to allow the refugees to stay with them. They would recognize the destruction that has come upon them. They would even seek refuge in Judah, much like Ruth did when she came from Moab with Naomi centuries before during a famine in Judges. There would be little rest.

Isaiah looks far to the future as the refugees of Moab are seeking peace and a safe place to hide. He sees a throne being established listed in lovingkindess, a contrast to the destruction Moab faces. A faithful Judge will sit in the tent of David. He will seek justice and be prompt in righteousness. This brief snippet of verses are looking at Jesus far off in the future, who will judge the nations with righteous justice. Refugees from Moab will find their rest in Him.

But for those in the days of Isaiah, wailing and moaning will be the lot of Moab. Their pride and arrogance will fall. Their boasting against Israel and Judah will be their downfall. The lords of the nations will come in and trample down the entire land. God Himself is weeping over their loss as it will be total. He would make their shouts of joy in the times of harvest cease. And He would frustrate their religious worship and destroy their false gods. 

That Word from God had been received many years earlier than the death of Ahaz. But when Ahaz died, God came back and added to it. The LORD set a date for it to happen - it would take place within three years. The glory of Moab would be degraded along with its entire population. Their remnant would be very small and powerless.  And this Word of the LORD happened in 711 B.C. just as He said it would, for Assyria came and did just as the Word of God stated. Moab was no more.