Isaiah continues to pronounce judgement on the surrounding nations to Israel – in this case it’s Moab.
Isaiah 15: An Oracle Concerning Moab
1 An oracle concerning Moab. Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone; because Kir of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone.
2 He has gone up to the temple, and to Dibon, to the high places to weep; over Nebo and over Medeba Moab wails. On every head is baldness; every beard is shorn;
3 in the streets they wear sackcloth; on the housetops and in the squares everyone wails and melts in tears.
4 Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voice is heard as far as Jahaz; therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud; his soul trembles.
5 My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah. For at the ascent of Luhith they go up weeping; on the road to Horonaim they raise a cry of destruction;
6 the waters of Nimrim are a desolation; the grass is withered, the vegetation fails, the greenery is no more.
7 Therefore the abundance they have gained and what they have laid up they carry away over the Brook of the Willows.
8 For a cry has gone around the land of Moab; her wailing reaches to Eglaim; her wailing reaches to Beer-elim.
9 For the waters of Dibon are full of blood; for I will bring upon Dibon even more, a lion for those of Moab who escape, for the remnant of the land.
Isaiah 16:
1 Send the lamb to the ruler of the land, from Sela, by way of the desert, to the mount of the daughter of Zion.
2 Like fleeing birds, like a scattered nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.
3 "Give counsel; grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; shelter the outcasts; do not reveal the fugitive;
4 let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer. When the oppressor is no more, and destruction has ceased, and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land,
5 then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness."
6 We have heard of the pride of Moab--- how proud he is!--- of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence; in his idle boasting he is not right.
7 Therefore let Moab wail for Moab, let everyone wail. Mourn, utterly stricken, for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth.
8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah; the lords of the nations have struck down its branches, which reached to Jazer and strayed to the desert; its shoots spread abroad and passed over the sea.
9 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.
10 And joy and gladness are taken away from the fruitful field, and in the vineyards no songs are sung, no cheers are raised; no treader treads out wine in the presses; I have put an end to the shouting.
11 Therefore my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab, and my inmost self for Kir-hareseth.
12 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.
13 This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past.
14 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."
Things to think about…
1. Remember Moab was the son of incest from Abraham’s nephew Lot who fathered Moab with one of his daughters, Gen. 19:30-38. Moab were long time antagonists to Israel and were also about to be judged by Assyria; the Lord’s instrument of judgement. All the names that are listed in Isaiah 15 are cities and significant towns in Moab, these would be destroyed. Look how quickly the judgement would come, ‘in a night’, Isa 15:1. Jesus will come like a thief in the night and His judgement will be swift. But we take refuge and shelter in Him.
2. Do you weep over the lost? Look at Isaiah weeping over Moab Isa 15:5; Isa 16:9, 11. They were not Israelites but they were about to fall under judgement. It says regarding Zion that they should “let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you”, Isa 16:4. The world needs to see the church having a love and concern for them. They need a shelter provided by Jesus who is the one who ‘will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness”, Isa16:5. Let’s love the lost people of Ipswich and Brisbane with the truth of the gospel of Jesus. Share the Christ of Isaiah as the Lord gives you opportunity to those who desperately need His grace.
3. There was a pride and arrogance against Israel by Moab, Isa 16:6. But judgement was about to come from the surrounding nations, Isa 16:8. This was a grief to Isaiah. Remember king David’s grandparent Ruth was a Moabite. They was a strong connection with these people. But they were against the God of Israel and judgement would come. The world can be friendly with Christians, but at the end of the day Christ is a judge. If they world becomes arrogant and speaks against Him the lion of Judah will devour, just as the judgement would come upon Moab , Isa 15:9.
4. The year of 701BC was quickly approaching – this would be the year Sennacherib the Assyrian king would come west and along the way destroying Moab. Look at Isa 16:14 it says “In three years, like the years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt”. So Isaiah is prophesying these words around the year 704BC. Jesus will also return to judge the living and the dead. For the dead it is too late. So let’s speak to those who are spiritually dead even though they live among us. May our gracious God wake them up with the gospel of Christ.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson will be looking at the life of Christ in the church.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group after Sunday mornings café time. Open discussion around difficult topics and defending our faith is the focus.
Prayer Points
1. Tad and Glenys still recovering from operations.
2. New people that they are welcomed into church life.
3. Those who are considering baptism.
4. Church finances to cover all expenses.
5. Pray for of Kids@Church, Life groups and church community days.
6. The conflicts in Haiti, Israel and Ukraine. Praise for the peace of Jesus to reign.
7. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
8. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
9. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More visitors on Sunday, pray that they are encouraged.
2. Continue to pray for Tad to gain strength at home. Continue to pray for Glenys as she now has a splint to gain full use in her left arm. This is very frustrating for Glenys as you can imagine. It has been many weeks and she is desiring relief. Any encouragement you can give will be greatly appreciated.
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Working Bee – Saturday March 23rd 8am to 12pm. Please sign the jobs task sheet.
2. Life Groups Wednesday night at Church – 6:30pm.
3. Young Adults apologetics Life group after the service – 25th Feb 2024.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for March...
Q. 18. What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies? A. He gave them souls that could never die.
