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HEN the Jews were attacked by foreigners, their Moabite relatives should have assisted them. If they could not fight alongside the Jews, at the least they should have offered refuge to them (Isaiah 16:3-4). Their own day of reckoning was coming soon. In fact, Isaiah prophesied that the people of Moab had exactly 3 years before their own end would come (Isaiah 16:14). And indeed, Judah was sure to recover. The royal Davidic family was sure to be revived and restored (Isaiah 16:5). Even from a raw pragmatic perspective, it was advisable that the Moabites be kind to the Jews, not to mention their indisputable ethical obligation. But, no (vs. 6-7).
It's mildly surprising that Isaiah wept for Moab. There was certainly no love lost between the children of Abraham and the children of Lot. Yet, here it is in Isaiah 16:9, the prophet spoke of watering Moab with his tears because of their pending demise. Not only did he cry, his tears were sincere (Isaiah 16:11). He was distressed because of the exasperating futility of the Moabite's wasted faith. Their faith in Chemosh was foolishness (Isaiah 16:12) because, of course, Chemosh was a lifeless idol. At most, Chemosh was nothing more than a vehicle for Satan to use among the Moabites. So, the sad plight of the Moabites brought deep sadness into the heart of Isaiah. This is proper. God is gravely disturbed by the future of His impious creatures. Shouldn't we be troubled by it also?
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