Moab Is Silenced

East of the Dead Sea is another neighbor of Israel-Moab. Unlike the Philistines, the Moabites  are related to Israel, being descendants of Abraham's nephew Lot.  (Genesis 19:37)  Despite that relationship, Moab has a  history of enmity with Israel.  For example, back in the days of Moses, the king of Moab hire the prophet Balaam, hoping that he would curse the Israelites.  When that failed, Moab used immorality and Baal worship to ensnare Israel.  (Numbers 22:4-6; 25:1-5)  Little wonder, then, that Jehovah now inspires to record. "The pronouncement against Moab"! -Isaiah 15:1a.

Isaiah's prophecy is directed against numerous cities and locations in Moab, including Ar, Kir (orKir-hareseth), and Dibon.  (Isaiah 15:1b, 2a) Moabites will mourn for Kir-hareseth's raisin cakes, perhaps a principle product of the city.  (Isaiah 16:6, 7) Sibmah and Jazer, famours for vine cultivation, will be smitten.  (Isaiah 16:8-10)  Eglath-shelishiyah, whose name may mean "A Heifer of Three Years Old" will be like a sturdy young cow uttering pitiful cries of anguish.  (Isaiah 15:5) The grass of the land will dry up while  the "waters of Dimon"  become full of blood because of the slaughter of the Moabites. The "waters of Nimrim" will become "sheer desolations,"  in either a figurative sense or a literal sense-likely because enemy forces dam up their streams. -Isaiah 15:6-9.

Moabites will gird themselves with sackcloth, the garment of mourning.  They will shave their heads bald to symbolize shame and lamentation.  Their beards will be "dipped," showing extreme grief and humiliations.  (Isaiah 15:2b-4) Isaiah himself, certain of the fulfillment of these judgments, feels deep emotions. Like the vibrating string of a harp, his inward parts are moved with pity because of the message of woe against Moab. -Isaiah 16:11, 12.

When will this prophecy be fulfilled?  Soon.  "This is the word  that Jehovah spoke concerning Moab formerly.  And now Jehovah has spoken, saying:  "Within three years, according to the years of a hired laborer, the glory of Moab must also be disgraced with much commotion of every sort, and those who remain over will be trifling few, not mighty.' " (Isaiah 16:13, 14)  In harmony with this, there is archaeological evidence that during the eighth century B.C.E., Moab suffered grievously and many of its sites were depopulated.  Tiglath-pileser III mentioned salamanu of Moab among the rulers who paid tribute to him.  Sennacherib received tribute from Kammusunadbi, king of Moab. Assyrian monarchs Esar-haddon and Ashurbanipal referred to Moabite Kings Musuri and kamahaltu as being their subjects.  Centuries ago, the Moabites ceased to exist as a people. Ruins of cities thought to be Moabite have been found, but little physical evidence of this once powerful enemy of Israel has thus fare been unearthed.

Next time: Modern-Day "Moab" Perishes

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000