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Isaiah 16

14 verses

TL;DR

Isaiah 16 prophesies judgment against Moab while offering a vision of divine mercy and restoration, highlighting the nation’s pride and the eventual downfall of its oppression.

Summary

The chapter opens with an appeal to bring a lamb to the ruler of the land, symbolizing a call for peace amid conflict. Isaiah predicts Moab’s downfall as a wandering bird cast out of its nest, with its people displaced to the ford of Arnon. He urges judgment and the protection of outcasts, portraying Moab as a covert refuge for the oppressed. The passage describes the destruction of Moab’s pride and its resulting lament, mentioning specific locations such as Heshbon, Sibmah, and Jazer. The lament continues with imagery of withered vineyards and absent joy, yet the prophet assures that the Lord’s mercy will establish a throne of truth and righteousness. Despite the harsh judgment, a hopeful note hints that even in the aftermath, the remnants will be small but not entirely destroyed.

Outline
  1. 1. Call for peace and judgment; 2. Lament over Moab’s pride and destruction; 3. Hope of divine mercy and restoration
Themes
Judgment and mercy; national pride and downfall; lamentation and hope
Keywords
judgmentmercyprideoppressionlamentrestoration
People
Moab
Places
SelaWildernessMount of ZionArnonHeshbonSibmahJazerKirhareseth
Things
lamboutcaststhronevinevineyardspress
Key Verses
  • Isaiah 16:5: depicts the establishment of a just throne in the tabernacle of David, a core hopeful vision
  • Isaiah 16:6: highlights Moab’s pride and the impending judgment against it
  • Isaiah 16:14: offers a prophetic timeline and the future diminishment of Moab’s glory
Questions
  • What does the lamb symbolize in the context of Isaiah’s message?
  • How does Isaiah portray the relationship between divine judgment and mercy?
  • What might the mention of specific places indicate about the intended audience?
  • In what ways does the lament over Moab’s pride relate to broader themes of national pride in Scripture?
  • How does Isaiah’s vision of a righteous throne provide hope amid judgment?
Sentiment

mixed
mix of lamentation over Moab’s downfall and hopeful assurance of divine mercy