Isaiah 16:1-6 – Hope for Moab’s Remnant
In these first five verses here, after the terrible destruction that we looked at last week in chapter 15, there is a glimmer of hope. The Moabites are given some advice in verses 1-2 because they don’t know what to do. Through His prophet here, God tells them to come, not to run from Judah and her God, for He is the one who brings to pass all this disaster upon them, and He is the one who will have mercy for these Moabites who believe on Him and repent. They are urged to listen to God, urged to come to Him. “Hide the outcasts. Do not betray him who escapes.” Here is how they shall be treated by the godly in Judah. They shall find safety there. They shall find deliverance there. And as we see here, apparently a remnant does heed.
These people, moved by the spirit of God, throw themselves on the judgment of God’s people, pleading for mercy from them, and they receive a merciful, hopeful word in verse 5. Who is the one sitting on the throne? Just around the time that Isaiah was writing was the beginning of the rule of Hezekiah. Was that who was being looked at? Well, perhaps in a way, but there is One Who is far beyond Hezekiah, One related to Hezekiah, One Who is a descendant of Hezekiah. But this King is One Who will reign completely and sinlessly and eternally in love and faithfulness. He will end oppression and bring judgment and justice. He will end evil and bring in righteousness. He is the King over all nations. We are speaking of Jesus!
But we see here that there are not many. Most of the people will not heed the Word of God. They are very proud. They depend upon themselves. Why do they do this? What is the matter with them? Consider how you were until, in sovereign grace, God came to you. God sent His Holy Spirit upon you and changed your dead heart. You, in and of yourself, are no better than these wicked Moabites who run away — not run to Jehovah, not run to Jesus for redemption, for renewal, and for forgiveness. No. They run away. And so would you. So did you until your heart was changed by sovereign grace.
Questions
- What advice does God give the Moabites?
- Why do so many refuse to listen to God?
Prayer Points
- Pray that God would change the dead hearts of the people around us.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.