Isaiah 16:14

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:14ues

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14 But now the LORD [Yahovah] hath spoken [dabar], saying ['amar], Within three [shalowsh] years [shaneh (in pl. only),], as the years [shaneh (in pl. only),] of an hireling [sakiyr], and the glory [kabowd] of Moab [Mow'ab] shall be contemned [qalah], with all that great [rab] multitude [hamown]; and the remnant [sha'ar] shall be very [ma`at] small [miz`ar] and feeble [lo'] [kabbiyr].  KJV-Interlinear

14 But now the Lord speaks, saying, "Within three years, as a hired man would count them, the glory of Moab will be degraded along with all his great population, and his remnant will be very small and impotent."   NASB

But now, is a phrase that indicates a transition from the future, which has been referenced, to the present, which is now going to be referenced.  In all generations, there are prophecies that refer to the future to which unfortunately, too many people pay little attention.  So, God gives all of us all something to think about so that life and things in general will be more meaningful and personal.

Perhaps then, we or anyone, will begin to take the scriptures more seriously, and not look at them as just a compilation of useless stories.

Within three years, is a time frame that a hired person will look to which specifies exactly what and when and where he will work.  The time is specified as to the seasons or the days or the hours that will be worked.  And as a hired man, that time is not uncertain, but certain.  He knows that on certain days for certain months during certain seasons, he will have the work promised.  So this is not a general statement of about three years, but a specified period of time which is exactly three years.

And within that three year period, the glory of Moab will be no more. 

Contemned, means losing its esteem, losing its reputation, to become despised.  And as for those who remain, the remnant, they will be few in number.  There will be few cities, few people, few of almost everything, after the destruction that is coming, that will remove their former glory and boasting.

As these prophecies were given in the year that Ahaz died, then at the end of the third year of Hezekiah, when Samaria was to fall, then so to, when the Assyrians swept through the region, they also took Moab and destroyed it, but not completely.

And so it happened.

Moab was warned to turn to the Lord.  They were warned to pay tribute to the King of Judah, which was a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ but using payments of actual sheep, representing their acknowledgement of the scriptures and the Lord as the one and only God and Savior.

But they did none of these things.

They did not turn to the Lord.  They did not pay tribute, which also means they did not change their daily habits of following their false gods, to dedicating their lives to the study of the one true God.

They in effect disregarded all of the advice and warnings, and so their indifference was met with the repercussions of that apathy.

Namely they were punished, not by God but by the very elements of their own contemporary world.  God merely permitted their punishment, and not because God is mean, but because they rejected God, so God graciously allowed them to reap from the things they looked to, namely the world.  And the world turned against them.

And that is the real issue that we all face during our lives in this world.

God has given us the scriptures and instructions for learning His will, and understanding our obligations in life toward Him, toward people in general, toward family and certainly toward ourselves and our role in life.  Most people reject these roles or they do not even acknowledge them, but instead invent their own roles and rules for life.

And so, when people reject God or are not interested in the scriptures, then by default they embrace things from the many alternate belief systems that exist in the world.  Some pursue religion, some pursue secular ideals, some pursue whatever happens to be convenient or advantageous to them.  Most are driven by how they are perceived by others, so they pursue pretense in one form or another.

Whether you are driven by lust or by being a victim, is irrelevant.  Disregard of God and the scriptures will get you only trouble for yourself.  What you wish for is never going to be better, when God is excluded.

And if you destroy what you have, you will be more than sorry later on.

This last prophecy applied to Moab nearly three thousand years ago.  The prophecies against Moab and others, also apply to yet future times.

The principles of both apply to all peoples in every generation.  But unfortunately the prophecies of the future, will occur because people will not listen, will not learn, and will repeat the same mistakes that were made in the past.  Only, the future holds even greater destruction, while your own current life, which is all that you have, will or could, suffer greatly now.

And it all comes right down to your attitude toward God, Christ, doctrine, and your spiritual life.  The only question is, when will you learn, or will you learn?

Isaiah 16:13

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:13ues

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13 This is the word [dabar] that the LORD [Yahovah] hath spoken [dabar] concerning Moab [Mow'ab] since that time ['az].  KJV-Interlinear

13 This is the word which the Lord spoke earlier concerning Moab.  NASB

There are two prophecies herein issued simultaneously.  This first prophecy which we have been studying is related to the end of human history.  And of course no one back then took Isaiah’s words seriously, just as people ignore them today.  So, yet another prophecy, much closer to their contemporary time and within three years is going to be issued against Moab in the next verse, and that one will take everyone by surprise.

Isaiah finishes this future prophecy, with an exclamation mark, stating that this is from God, and from no other  source.

This prophecy is not from the imagination, not invented for sensationalism, not a publicity stunt in order to gain membership, but a very real warning to any and all who hear it.

The words come from God.  God spoke these words to Isaiah, who in turn wrote them down.

Therefore, through words, God speaks to everyone who hears them or reads them, or even comes by them second or third hand, or even hearsay, so to speak.

No matter how they become known, they are from God and no other source.

The words are true, because God is true.  God cannot lie, cannot deceive, cannot mislead.

Since that time, is a reference to all prior times when God, through prophets and their spoken or written words, has given fair warning to any and all, regarding the repercussions of rejecting God.

Since God is truth, then rejecting God means rejecting truth.

Rejecting truth means accepting lies, the lies of the world, or Satan’s cosmos as it is often times called.

And this principle applies to the entire content of the Bible.

Many people take it lightly and with little regard, because they do not see the repercussions of a failed spiritual life.  Moab was indifferent back them and they paid the heavy price in destruction and death for that indifference.

They will again pay the price in the future, as will the rest of the world, because of indifference or apathy toward doctrine.

Don’t be counted among those who are destined to fail.

Isaiah 16:12

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:12ues

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12 And it shall come to pass, when it is seen [ra'ah] that Moab [Mow'ab] is weary [la'ah] on the high place [bamah], that he shall come [bow'] to his sanctuary [miqdash] to pray [palal]; but he shall not prevail [yakol].  KJV-Interlinear

12 So it will come about when Moab presents himself, When he wearies himself upon his high place, And comes to his sanctuary to pray, That he will not prevail.  NASB

And in those final days, when all of these things come to pass, when the country is desolated, her cities destroyed, her fields and crops destroyed, her people slain, and when it is apparent that all is truly lost, then the people, or those who are still alive, will run to the various temples looking for help from false gods.

High places, is a reference to the location of the temples.  Typically constructed on hill tops or mountain tops or any high ground such that the surrounding area can easily view the temple.

These temples are viewed as places of sanctuary, a place that will provide protection from whatever the problems of life come along.

But these are false gods and false temples, and false sanctuaries.  They offer no protection, and no provision, and no answers.

And as stated here, the people looking to their false gods, will find nothing.

Pray as you might to a stone or a picture or a religion or whatever, these things have no life, no ears, no eyes, and cannot hear or see you.  And, they certainly cannot help, for they do not exist as forms of deity.

They are only rocks or pictures in paint, or false and invented religions.

The problems are clear.

The people that are running know full well why they are running.  They refused to observe Christ as the one true God.  They refused to provide aid and shelter to Gods people.  The Jews are their object of hatred, and they know why they hate them.  The Christians are objects of their hatred and they know why they hate them.

And yet they turn to false gods made of lifeless inanimate objects.  They turn to gods of philosophy or religion which are nothing more than invented opinions formed from fancy rhetoric. They turn to gods of things, secular things, the hustle and bustle of human effort to gain riches or wealth or simply to gain things.

And everything in this world is temporary.  Nothing in this world is permanent.

Only bible doctrine is permanent, and doctrine in the soul provides the permanence of the completion of oneself.

To look to anything else, other than bible doctrine, leads to certain and guaranteed failure.

Isaiah 16:11

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:11ues

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11 Wherefore my bowels [me`ah] shall sound [hamah] like an harp [kinnowr] for Moab [Mow'ab], and mine inward parts [qereb] for Kirharesh [Qiyr Cheres].  KJV-Interlinear

11 Therefore my heart intones like a harp for Moab, And my inward feelings for Kir-hareseth.   NASB

The bowels, often refer to the deep emotions, 1 Kings 3:26; Ps 25:6; Prov 12:10; Song 5:4; Isa 63:15; Jer 4:19; 31:20; Phil 1:8; 2:1.  The harp, amplifies that deep seated emotion, and in the case of Moab, the emotions refer to the extreme grieving and sorrow and punishment that they are or will be, enduring during this future time.

History has given us several examples of disasters of a country that has gone against God, and His chosen people, and where are they and their leaders today?  Gone, destroyed, obliterated, and replaced with a new generation that has the opportunity to not make those same mistakes.

But in the end, lessons will not be learned, and old hatreds and biases will return, and that will be the undoing of a people that has set itself against God, remained indifferent toward God, even attempting to destroy the things of the God that they themselves reject.

How can you reject God, and then take the position of destroying the things of a God that you refuse to recognize?  That is the quintessence of contradiction.

Nearly all, if not all, who reject Christ and the Bible, want to debate the Bible, in order to promote their own false ideas.  If an idea is true then it needs no debate to stand.  And the Bible needs no justification for what it is.  Truth is always evident to the objective observer, but never recognized by the subjective onlooker.

The nation disappears, the city disappears. And when this happens in its finality, then they will never rise up again in their arrogance and evil.  Their legacy is nothing more than deep sorrow and grieving, which too, will eventually disappear along with them.

Isaiah 16:10

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:10ues

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10 And gladness [simchah] is taken away ['acaph], and joy [giyl] out of the plentiful field [karmel]; and in the vineyards [kerem] there shall be no singing [ranan], neither shall there be shouting [ruwa`]: the treaders [darak] shall tread out [darak] no wine [yayin] in their presses [yeqeb]; I have made their vintage shouting [heydad] to cease [shabath].  KJV-Interlinear

10 And gladness and joy are taken away from the fruitful field; In the vineyards also there will be no cries of joy or jubilant shouting, No treader treads out wine in the presses, For I have made the shouting to cease.  NASB

The gladness, ‘simchah,’ is a reference to the continual happiness that people have when engaged with the things that they deem most important to them. 

And in this case, the vineyards and prosperity with which they had become accustomed to despite the horrible trouble that the world will be suffering from during the Tribulation. 

These are end times prophecies, and here we can see the priorities that people have even when in the midst of chaos.

We already know several things. 

First, that before the Rapture, there will be phenomenal economic prosperity where even the vines of Edom will be distributed and used across the oceans in foreign lands.

Second, we know that after the Rapture, and during the Tribulation, there will be a huge economic downturn caused by government regulations and policies, caused by famine, causes by storms and various events of nature.

Third, we know that people place their faith in an anti-christ, but more than that, they place their hopes and priorities in the things of this world, things that they have like property, production, profits, and all the things that people generally have when they are prosperous like clothes, toys, etc.

But those things will fade away and their happiness will fade as well as the objects of their happiness rapidly disappear.

The pride of Moab is in her arrogance, in her vineyards and its production, or the national economy from whatever sources that it was derived.  But as those things decline, so too will the happiness of the people, until there is no more happiness, but only sorrow, no more smiles or laughter, but only tears and anxiety.

And to top it all off, when the destruction of war does come, everything gets only worse, never to recover, not even the hope of a recovery.

No vineyards, no grapes.  No grapes, no treading of wine, no employment.  No employment, no wine, no livelihood, only poverty.

And if your have every lived in a situation where there is no money, no things, no happiness and only the pressures of life constantly hounding you, and even worse, then you might be able to understand the sorrows and grief that, that future generation of people, whomever they will be, will be experiencing.  And the even sadder thing is that their future will only get worse because they have rejected the only escape that they have available to them, namely Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 16:9

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:9ues

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9 Therefore I will bewail [bakah] with the weeping [Bakiy] of Jazer [Ya`azeyr] the vine [gephen] of Sibmah [Sabam]: I will water [ravah] thee with my tears [dim`ah], O Heshbon [Cheshbown], and Elealeh ['El`ale']: for the shouting [heydad] for thy summer fruits [qayits] and for thy harvest [qatsiyr] is fallen [naphal].  KJV-Interlinear

9 Therefore I will weep bitterly for Jazer, for the vine of Sibmah; I will drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh; For the shouting over your summer fruits and your harvest has fallen away.  NASB

In that future day, the destruction of Moab will be so great, the sorrow so deep, that even God will cry great tears, if it were possible for God to cry.

This is language of accommodation such that we can understand the vastness of the destruction and sorrow that will come upon Moab and the world, during and toward the end of the Tribulation.

God cannot cry or feel sorrow because He is perfect and perfectly contented with truth and life.  But the point here is, that of the tremendous pain and suffering that the world will experience in those final days of history.

This distinguishes those days from all other times in history since Adam.

History has seen many terrible events, but none will come anywhere near the terribleness of those future days of destruction.

This is intended help us begin to understand that the Tribulation will be terrible beyond imagination.  No one should want even his worst enemy to live in those days.

No one should want themselves to be living during the Tribulation.

Where there was once the celebration after a fabulous harvest, will be replaced with grieving beyond words, beyond expression, beyond imagination, even such terrible times that God Himself could be brought to tears, so to speak, if that were possible.

And as we are in our current dispensation, then everyone has the opportunity to believe in Christ and thus be assured that they will not be a part of the Tribulation.  For one day, a day of which we do not know the schedule, there will be a Rapture which will end our dispensation and begin the Tribulation.  Once the Rapture occurs, and if someone has not believed in Christ, then they have simply missed out on the opportunity to avoid the Tribulation.

They of course have the opportunity to believe and be saved, but they will face some terrible times during those next seven years, if they survive them at all.  For during those seven years of the Tribulation, over ninty-nine percent of the population of the entire world will die, and not pleasantly.  Very few will survive to the Second Advent and they that do survive will be believers in Christ only.  No unbelievers will survive, none.

Isaiah 16:8

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:8ues

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8 For the fields [shademah] of Heshbon [Cheshbown] languish ['amal], and the vine [gephen] of Sibmah [Sabam]: the lords [ba`al] of the heathen [gowy] have broken down [halam] the principal plants [saruwq] thereof, they are come [naga`] even unto Jazer [Ya`azeyr], they wandered [ta`ah] through the wilderness [midbar]: her branches [shilluchah] are stretched out [natash], they are gone over [`abar] the sea [yam].  KJV-Interlinear

8 For the fields of Heshbon have withered, the vines of Sibmah as well; The lords of the nations have trampled down its choice clusters Which reached as far as Jazer and wandered to the deserts; Its tendrils spread themselves out and passed over the sea.  NASB

Moab had great prosperity, but as described here, that prosperity was and will be, destroyed thoroughly and completely.  Remember that Heshbon means, the pride of Moab, which we studied back in Isa. 15:4, but now the fields of Heshbon are described as lavish vines producing the best wines.

Having been planted and cultivated in and around Heshbon and Sibmah, a neighboring village, the vines had been used to plant vineyards throughout the region, even across the desert and across the ocean to foreign lands.

So, this indicates a wide spread and international commerce that was established and successful, or had been, for quite some time.  This success would not have occurred during the Tribulation, but would have been in place prior to the Rapture.

And when the Tribulation began, then the economic decline would have taken its toll. 

But much worse was still to occur.

We have already seen the destruction of the nation, which came with the invasion.  And here, that invasion and destruction will include the destruction of the economy, by virtue of the destruction of the agriculture foundation of that economy.  The vineyards not only symbolize a thriving economy, but also its decline when the vineyards are destroyed.

So, this verse describes the reach of the prosperity as it had been, and also the destruction of the economy.

Back in ancient times, when an invading army really wanted to subdue an enemy, they would destroy their fields and harvests and virtually everything.  Such that, when the invaders moved on, their enemy would not be able to rise up again.  Recovery is difficult if not impossible when your resources are gone.

And not only will the nation of Moab be destroyed, their resources likewise will fade into non-existence.

Gods judgment, using the hand of evil enemies, will bring a total destruction not only to Moab, but to the entire world.  Nothing of mans past will enter into the Kingdom of God.  No one will be able to claim credit for having anything that could be used as a re-start of the world, following the Second Advent.  Jesus Christ, alone will give the world its new beginning.

Isaiah 16:7

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:7ues

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7 Therefore shall Moab [Mow'ab] howl [yalal] for Moab [Mow'ab], every one shall howl [yalal]: for the foundations ['ashiysh] of Kirhareseth [Qiyr Cheres] shall ye mourn [hagah]; surely they are stricken [nake'].   KJV-Interlinear

7 Therefore Moab shall wail; everyone of Moab shall wail. You shall moan for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth  As those who are utterly stricken.  NASB

Well the question previously posed, is answered.  When you play games with God, pretend spirituality, outright reject God and Gods mandates for how you are to function within your daily spiritual life, don’t even bother to find out what those mandates are, then there is the heavy penalty on you for your mourning and rage and sorrow, and not your run of the mill day to day sorrows, but terrible howling overwhelmed grieving.  The kind that brings you to tears, real tears and trembling and fear.

This is something that most people probably have never really experienced.  But, continue indifference toward God and His mandated daily study of the scriptures, and you will.

Moab is our example.  And even though they did exist way back in Isaiah’s day, and finally ceased to exist as a nation in the centuries following, that same geographical region still exists and the population of that region in the future, will be filled with people that will do exactly the same things that was done many, many centuries ago.

And what they will not do in the future during the Tribulation, is that they will not pay tribute to the King of Israel, they will not give aid and sanctuary to the fleeing Jews in that future time, and in effect, they will not abide by the advice of God, given herein. 

So, will Israel have a King in the future?  Yes.  That King if Jesus Christ.

Will He be on the throne here on earth during the Tribulation?  No.

So how can they pay tribute to the King?

Well, we have already studied that, and it means simply that they will not believe in Christ, they will not study the scriptures daily even after believing in Christ, they will virtually ignore God and Gods mandates for the spiritual life, they will refuse to give shelter to the fleeing Jews during that latter half of the Tribulation, not to mention that they will not support Christianity in any sense of the word.

In short they will turn up their nose toward Christ, all the while looking toward the anti-christ.

Rejecting truth in favor of the lies of the world always turns to violence as well as social injustice toward others.

And in the Tribulation these things will turn extremely ugly.  For that, they will suffer the penalty and punishment for their indiscretions.

Howl Moab for Moab, is a phrase that simply means that the entire country is in tremendous sorrow, lamentation, weeping, mourning, grieving.

The foundations, is a reference to that on which a thing is setting.  And in this case, the people of Moab have placed their faith in the wrong things.

Kirhareseth, is a city, that no long exists.  The word means wall of potshards, or bricks, fortress of earthenware, and it comes to mean that the people have placed their confidence and trust in the things of the world, things that are temporary, things that can melt away under a simple rain storm.

And that is what the details of this world really are.  They are temporary and can be taken away with very little effort.

If you are older, then do you still have the things that you had decades ago?  Probably not. 

If you are young, then wait a few decades and count the things of today that you still have.  Probably none of them.

And certainly when you leave this world, you will have nothing of this world, with you, losing it all.

Trust in the world and you trust in nothing.

Stricken, ‘nake,’ means severely broken, afflicted, wounded with fatal consequences.  Their state is dire and their future is non-existent.  And this they brought upon themselves for not pursuing the truth, but instead preferred their easy, non-committal life, detached from the realities of life, thinking that they could coast through life with no consequences for their choices.

And that is the principle that we all need to learn.  God has given us all an opportunity to have a completed life, but we have to follow His rules, not ours.  We have to abide by His mandates, not invent our own.

And in short, He expects us to pursue a daily study under instruction, in order to learn and develop our spiritual life. And that is so simple, it is astounding how so many seem to miss it, even reject it, and therefore will lose out on phenomenal blessings in favor of phenomenal sorrows.

Isaiah 16:6

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:6ues

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6 We have heard [shama`] of the pride [ga'own] of Moab [Mow'ab]; he is very [ma`od] proud [ge']: even of his haughtiness [ga`avah], and his pride [ga'own], and his wrath [`ebrah]: but his lies [bad] shall not be so.  KJV-Interlinear

6 We have heard of the pride of Moab, an excessive pride; Even of his arrogance, pride, and fury; His idle boasts are false.  NASB

The principle attribute of pride or arrogance, is that it will reject the counsel of truth.  We have already seen how Moab was warned to turn its attention to the Lord, to pay the required tribute, to give shelter to Gods people, but Moab, being symbolic of an arrogant people, will disregard this advice in the final days of history, and the result of that rejection will be their destruction.

The phrase, very proud, indicates that the people are pretty set in their ways.  They are comfortable with the way they think and act and see nothing wrong with their chosen lifestyle or beliefs.

The result of their arrogance puts them in a place where they will reject not only any and all truth, but they will become antagonistic, resentful, and defensive toward anyone who even considers giving them advice.

Any advice is met with indifference or indignation.  In short they are unteachable and unwilling to learn, and unwilling to change.

This of course is in the face of all of the overwhelming disasters that will be occurring throughout the world in those fateful final days of history.

Most normal people would begin to question the hows and whys of worldwide disaster, especially when it is so dramatic, as it will be in the Tribulation, but not the arrogant people of that era.

This also gives us some insight as to the extreme degree of arrogance and apostasy that will exist throughout society even in the very latter days of our own dispensation.  Remember that people do not become arrogant overnight.  That is something that develops throughout their life.  But at the Rapture, there will be only seven years remaining in history, and during those seven years, recall our study in Revelation where nearly the entire population of the world will die.  Something that is certain to get the attention of people.  Not to mention that the disasters throughout those years will far exceed anything that has ever occurred in history.

And so when a people face such extremes and refuse to even consider that they might need to change their beliefs, is beyond well entrenched arrogance.  In addition, they will even get angry if their way of life is challenged, clinging to the lies of life that they have adopted for themselves.

And remember too, that for the most part, those people will live the greater portions of their lives during our current dispensation, giving us a pretty clear picture of what society in general will be like when that time arrives.

And so it is for anyone who does not follow the mandates that are set forth in the scriptures.  The Bible sets out the foundation and framework for truth, and gives understanding and discernment so a person can see the difference between the truths and lies of life.

Arrogance, exists when a person is indifferent toward Gods mandates, chooses against them in preference for what they already believe, never considering that they just might be wrong, and far worse, not considering that their failure to engage in a daily study under instruction, is the strongest evidence and testimony against their entrenched beliefs.  They fail to see their own flaws.  Far too many claim to be spiritual, but their actions do not support their claim.

But their lies shall not stand.  And that is the bottom line and epitaph of their life.

Indifferent toward truth, entrenched in their own views, rejecting and indignant toward anyone who disagrees with them, these are the attributes of an inflexible and spiritually negative person, who is heading toward certain doom.  And, they do it all to themselves.

Isaiah 16:5

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:5ues

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5 And in mercy [checed] shall the throne [kicce'] be established [kuwn]: and he shall sit [yashab] upon it in truth ['emeth] in the tabernacle ['ohel] of David [David], judging [shaphat], and seeking [darash] judgment [mishpat], and hasting [mahiyr] righteousness [tsedeq].  KJV-Interlinear

5 A throne will even be established in lovingkindness, And a judge will sit on it in faithfulness in the tent of David; Moreover, he will seek justice And be prompt in righteousness.  NASB

Mercy, ‘checed,’ means kindness, favor, goodness, compassion, benevolence.  This, when combined with truth, ‘emeth,’ referring to stability, fairness, certainty, establishment, justice, then the throne of God, when established here on earth, will for the very first time in all of human history, put in place rule and leadership and government as it is supposed to be.

Throughout history government has been biased, unfair, brutal, prejudiced, and far from anything that even begins to resemble liberty and justice for all.

For where there is man with his sin nature, there will be inequities and classes of people, defined by man and attempts to keep classes of people in their place.

The tabernacle of David defines the one and only true God, who is Jesus Christ, the distant son of David, who is the Savior and went to the Cross for us all.  But also, the tabernacle of David refers to the dwelling place of God, which was represented as Mt. Zion, the dwelling place of God, symbolizing the vast body of doctrine, which is truth.

Therefore, through truth, which is doctrine, Christ will rule, seeking judgment or doing that which is right for all, not for just a few, and making things right quickly, not after years of bureaucratic or legal or political game playing delays that serve nothing but injustice.

Today, the laws and regulations and politics that we have, serve not to protect society, but to regulate society as seen by a relatively few throughout the world.

However, when Christ takes the throne, then all of that will change, and then for the very first time, perfect righteous and perfect justice and therefore perfect liberty and the pursuit of happiness opportunities, will be established for everyone.

Isaiah 16:4

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:4ues

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4 Let mine outcasts [nadach] dwell [guwr] with thee, Moab [Mow'ab]; be [hava'] thou a covert [cether] to them from the face [paniym] of the spoiler [shadad]: for the extortioner [muwts] is at an end ['aphec], the spoiler [shod] ceaseth [kalah], the oppressors [ramac] are consumed [tamam] out of the land ['erets].  KJV-Interlinear

4 "Let the outcasts of Moab stay with you; Be a hiding place to them from the destroyer." For the extortioner has come to an end, destruction has ceased, Oppressors have completely disappeared from the land.   NASB

Even though these verses apply to the final days of history, the principles of common decency apply to us all, and have applied to everyone throughout history.  Unfortunately when people resist learning doctrine as it is supposed to be learned, then the head of evil is raised and atrocities and suffering and hardship occur against everyone.

The outcasts, is a reference to the Jewish people that will flee as refugees, as outcasts, as exiles from Judah or Israel, during those fateful final days of the Tribulation.

There will be such a huge population within Israel when the atrocities begin, that those few who do get out, will likely be so few in comparison, that all of the resources of the anti-christ will be focused on those remaining in Israel, such that those who do escape to Moab will have some semblance of a chance for escape.

This presumes that they will be able to find someone who will actually help them, rather than turning them in, as will likely happen to many.  So just escaping does not mean that you have actually escaped, there will remain still many more dangers from untrustworthy people who will not help.

So, from all sides, the escapees will find few if any allies that will help them either initially or for the long haul.  Remember that they will need to hide for three-and-a-half years, and that will not be easy, for many reasons.  Some friends may not remain friends for that long, especially when they place themselves in great danger too.

To dwell with thee, does not mean to live there permanently, but is a reference to the duration of the time in which they need to hide from the anti-christ and his forces, not to mention other people who happen to dislike Jews.

A covert to them, means a refuge, a hiding place, a place of safety.  This also refers to those who hide them will also provide for their needs as far as food, clothing, medicines and so forth, in addition to the secrecy of their hiding.

The spoiler, the extortioner, the oppressors, are terms that refer to anyone and everyone who are anti-Jew and are out to destroy them.

The spoiler refers to a powerful, burly force that is out to destroy the Jewish race.

The extortioner, refers to the constant and unyielding pursuit and pressure toward the destruction of the Jews.

The oppressor, refers to those who trodden or trample down, to grind into the ground.

And these three refer to the anti-christ, to the gangs, to the self-appointed vigilantes, all of whom have an overwhelming and unyielding and unrelenting hatred for the Jews.

But, their time is fast approaching an end, and then instead of destroying others, they themselves will be destroyed.

That has been true throughout history when all anti-Semitic types have met their end.  But in the final days of history, they will come to a permanent end, to rise never again.

And that is the meaning of consumed, expensed, expended, gone, emptied out, no more.  And when God finally brings history to an end, then evil will no longer exist.

So, you should never be obstinate or biased or hateful against anyone.  But certainly never against Gods chosen.

To oppose God in any way in any form, is the quintessence of stupidity.  How anyone can presume themselves as better than God is beyond stupidity.  However, to reject God, to reject Gods mandates, to reject Gods expectations of you, your role, your designed destiny, your obligations to Him and to life in general is beyond senseless.

There is only one outcome for those who defy God.  Do you really not know what that outcome is?

Isaiah 16:3

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:3ues

http://www.dailybiblestudy.org

3 Take [bow'] counsel [`etsah], execute [`asah] judgment [paliylah]; make [shiyth] thy shadow [tsel] as the night [layil] in the midst [tavek] of the noonday [tsohar]; hide [cathar] the outcasts [nadach]; bewray [galah] not him that wandereth [nadad].  KJV-Interlinear

3 "Give us advice, make a decision; Cast your shadow like night at high noon; Hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive.  NASB

Counsel, judgment, shadow, hide, and betray are all courses of action that are being requested for the people of God.  When the Tribulation begins, Satan will unleash horrific evils against Gods people, Jews and Christians alike and will attempt to destroy Israel such that there will be no one and nothing for God to rescue as promised.  At the mid-point of the Tribulation, the abomination of abominations will occur, setting off a horrific series of atrocities.

When this abomination in the newly dedicated Temple, occurs, wherein the anti-christ will set himself up to be greater than God, the people of Jerusalem and Israel are warned to run, to flee, to get out and go to the mountains immediately.

One of their destinations will be the region of Moab.

And so here we see the counsel of God to those who live in Moab, to take in, to hide, to protect the Jews that are fleeing from the wrath of the anti-christ.

For, the kindness and protection offered to the Jews, will be returned in kind by God to those who provide that protection.

And so we have here that counsel and request.  That despite the horrific lives that have been led by those in Moab, they can still redeem themselves, by obeying Gods request and following through some very tough times that they will face as a result of their kindness.

But, in verse six we will see that those requests will be generally ignored and thus terrible judgment will ensue against the people of Moab.

Take counsel is a request and a warning.  Listen and take heed.  God is offering a way out if you will listen and do as asked.

Execute judgment, means to use common sense and do what is fair and right.

Make a night shadow as night in the middle of the noonday, is a phrase that describes the relief that one who is traveling in the desert, finds, when they come upon a huge rock or grove of trees that offer their shade for a cool relief from the heat of the desert sun.

A shadow as in the night, means a deep and dark shadow for maximum relief from the extreme pressures and burdens of the noon sun.  This represents the protection of the fleeing Jews from the intense pursuit and searches of the forces of the anti-christ.  Later these searches, having little or no effect will culminate in the Armageddon war, which is designed to exterminate all people, in order to insure that all Jews will be killed.

Hide the outcasts, is a request to hide those who are fleeing from persecution.

And finally, the bewray not him that wandereth, means do not reveal those who are in hiding, but keep them concealed and protected from their pursuers.

Moab is scheduled for destruction.  They are scheduled for destruction because of their lifestyle pursuit of evil.

They have but one way out of this destruction, and that is to turn to the Lord.  One way to accomplish that, is to begin their daily bible study, but obviously given the short time at hand, it may not be possible to accomplish anything spiritually.  However, there is going to be a time when the Jewish people will need help, and if given that help, then that kindness will be returned by God.

Needless to say, God is well able to protect His own, but often times God gives us all the opportunity to participate in His plan, in order to prove our faithfulness and obedience and commitment to Him.

When the abomination occurs at the mid-point of the Tribulation, there will be only three-and-a-half years remaining in history.  For those in hiding that will be like an eternity.  But for those who are active in the evils of the world, that will be a very short time.

The end is certain, the last great battle is certain, the second-advent is certain, and these things will all culminate in the last year of the Tribulation.  Therefore, people can turn to God through Christ, and receive deliverance at the hand of God, or they can ignore it all, and suffer the consequences that we studied in the last chapter.

One more final thought.  Given this request, and the fact that there will be some who will actually hide and protect the Jewish refugees, then the anti-christ will likely take his revenge out on all of the people of Moab, thus the horrific destructions that have already been described in the previous chapter.

Isaiah 16:2

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 16:2ues

http://www.dailybiblestudy.org

2 For it shall be, that, as a wandering [nadad] bird [`owph] cast out [shalach] of the nest [qen], so the daughters [bath] of Moab [Mow'ab] shall be at the fords [ma`abar] of Arnon ['Arnown].  KJV-Interlinear

2 Then, like fleeing birds or scattered nestlings, The daughters of Moab will be at the fords of the Arnon.  NASB

The wandering bird, is the idea that is presented in Prov. 27:8, wherein the bird is driven away from its nest due to the destruction of the nest, and therefore has nowhere to go.

And so too, the people or citizens, which are here referred to as the daughters of Moab, will have seen their homes and neighborhoods totally destroyed and therefore they have nowhere to go.

And their first thought naturally, is to run and get away.

In Moab, there is only desert to the south and east, and the destruction of Israel is occurring to the west, so the natural direction of escape it to the north, where the Arnon River is located.

The Arnon River is the northern border of Moab, between Moab and Ammon.

The word for Arnon means to shout to cry out in celebration and joy, as one would do if escape seems imminent and certain.

However, we have already seen that their best course of action is to turn to God, not to some geological boundary.

We have already studied how their lives were spent without paying the proper due tribute to the King of Israel.

That tribute refers not to money, but to their commitment to their daily spiritual lives, by

first believing in Christ, then

second by confessing on a regular basis in order to get themselves into fellowship, then

third by committing to a daily study of the scriptures, then

fourth by learning as a result of that daily study, then

fifth acquiring an understanding of what they learn, then

sixth by applying what they learn to their daily lives, and then

seventh repeating this process over and over, again and again every day of their lives.

But this they did not do.  And even in the face of imminent danger and destruction, they turn to a border for escape, and not to Christ, who is the one and only legitimate King of Israel.

Israel symbolically represents the nation of God, made up of believers who are the people of God, and simultaneously the children and family of God.  We simply refer to ourselves as Christians or believers in Christ.

The fords of the Arnon, are shallow or narrow portions of the river wherein passage across the river is much easier, than trying to cross where the water is deep or running swift.

But to escape from Moab into another country which is not Israel, is like jumping from the pan into the fire.  It is no better, and actually will be much worse.

These chapters hold the content of the prophecies of the final days of history, as we have already established in our prior studies.

In those end days, Moab, which we are studying now, represents the peripheral regions outside of Israel, who do not want to get involved, but likewise do not try to help Israel, but would prefer to profit from the persecutions against Israel.

These events will occur in the Tribulation, which is still a future time.  We already know that our current dispensation will end with the Rapture, and then the Tribulation will begin.  The Tribulation will last only seven years as the entire world will collapse into near total destruction during that short time.

Those people will be anti-God and anti-doctrine.  Their only way out of the destruction will be to commit themselves to God through Christ by means of their daily studies.  But they won’t.  Instead they will be overwhelmed by the final destruction of history and will run to a river that leads to nowhere.

This is the same option that people throughout history, have always had.  Turn to Christ or be destroyed by means of your own foolish decisions.

But unfortunately most people pretend to turn to Christ, and really prefer their own lifestyle, and as the Moabites will do in that future time, people now run to many alternate paths through life, paths that lead to nowhere.