Isaiah 16

Isaiah 16:11-14 (ESV)

Therefore my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab,

and my inmost self for Kir-hareseth.

And when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, when he comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not prevail. This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past. But now the LORD has spoken, saying, “In three years, like the years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt, in spite of all his great multitude, and those who remain will be very few and feeble.”

This chapter begins with a warning to Moab to pay tribute to Judah. “Send the lamb to the ruler of the land” (Is 16:1a). This probably a reference to what 2 Kings 3:4 describes, “Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he had to deliver to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.” He was paying tribute to Israel. Now, in light of Israel’s fall, Isaiah warns Moab to pay tribute to Judah.

The chapter goes on to describe the pride, false worship, and coming demise of Moab. The Moabites are not nice people. As with the previous chapter, though, there are two verses that express grief over Moab’s fall. Verse 11 says, “my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab.” Isaiah 16:9 goes into even more detail. “Therefore I weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah; I drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh; for over your summer fruit and your harvest the shout has ceased.” God’s heart weeps for sinners even as he judges them. Does our heart break for the lost? How might our lives be different if we loved sinners as much as God does? How can we begin to see them through the eyes of Christ?

Perhaps we begin with this prayer:

Father your Word says that you loved the world so much, that you gave your only Son, “that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Father, today give me eyes to see the lost, the broken, and the spiritually helpless through your eyes of love; the very love that moved you to send your son to die. Even if they are arrogant and self-centered like the Moabites, may I have your heart of compassion today.

This is the heart of Jesus. Amen! Let it be so.