SATURDAY Reflections
Chapter 15 launches another oracle or burden
as some translations call it. This time it is against Moab. Moab was related to
the Israelites because they were the descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot. Their
relationship with Israel was complicated with good and bad baggage. As scholar
Bruce Routeledge put it, “Israel and Moab shared kinship, history, language,
institutions, and theology, and that this closeness often led to competition
and strife between the two peoples.” Though often an enemy of Israel the prophet
here is recording that his heart cries out over them (Is. 15:5). They had done
wrong but they are still family.
More on Moab and to read the quote in contexts check out: https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/places/main-articles/moab#contrib_routledge-bruce
Isa 15:1-9
(1) The burden of Moab. 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;
(2) He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
(7) Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.
(8) For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.
(9) For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.
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