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…
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.
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.
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 Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups on break.
Prayer Points
1. Combined church prayer meeting this Sunday night at Beacon Baptist Church.
2. Victorian parliament discussing gay conversion therapy, antichristian bill next month.
3. Ministries as they begin back this week – Youth and Kids at Church.
4. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
5. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
6. The 2 positions:- Youth and Young Adults Coordinator and Children’s Coordinator we are recruiting for in 2021.
Praise Points.
1. Able to stream with the lockdown. Thanks Rin
2. First Café roof drawings have been completed.
3. New folk on Sunday pray for many more during a trying time with lockdowns.
4. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
5. Visitors over the holiday period.
Announcements
1. Combined church prayer meeting. Beacon Baptist Sun 31st Jan 5pm Beacon Baptist Church, Brassall.
2. Seeking Youth and Young Adults Coordinator – 2 days per week as well as a Children’s ministry Coordinator – 1 day per week.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
