Isaías 16

1 Enviad el cordero del tributo al gobernante de la tierra, desde Sela en el desierto al monte de la hija de Sion.

2 Y como aves fugitivas o nidada dispersa, serán las hijas de Moab en los vados del Arnón.

3 Danos consejo, toma una decisión; da tu sombra como la noche en pleno mediodía; esconde a los desterrados, no entregues al fugitivo.

4 Quédense contigo los desterrados de Moab; sé para ellos escondedero ante el destructor. Porque ha llegado a su fin el explotador, ha cesado la destrucción, han desaparecido los opresores de la tierra.

5 Se establecerá en la misericordia un trono, y en él se sentará con fidelidad, en la tienda de David, un juez que busque lo justo y esté presto a la justicia.

6 Hemos oído del orgullo de Moab, un gran orgullo, de su arrogancia, de su altivez y de su furor; son falsas sus vanas jactancias.

7 Por tanto Moab gemirá por Moab; todo él gemirá. Por las tortas de pasas de Kir-hareset os lamentaréis, abatidos por completo.

8 Porque los campos de Hesbón se han marchitado, también las vides de Sibma; los señores de las naciones pisotearon sus mejores racimos, hasta Jazer alcanzaban y se extendían por el desierto; sus sarmientos se extendían y pasaban el mar.

9 Por eso lloraré amargamente por Jazer, por la viña de Sibma; te bañaré con mis lágrimas, oh Hesbón y Eleale, porque sobre tus frutos de verano y sobre tu cosecha se ha extinguido el clamor,

10 y se han retirado la alegría y el regocijo del campo fértil. En las viñas nadie canta de júbilo ni grita de alegría. No pisa vino en los lagares el pisador, pues he hecho cesar el clamor.

11 Por eso mis entrañas vibran por Moab como un arpa, y mi interior por Kir-hareset.

12 Y sucederá que cuando Moab se presente, cuando se fatigue sobre su lugar alto, y venga a su santuario para orar, no prevalecerá.

13 Esta es la palabra que el SEÑOR habló antes acerca de Moab.

14 Pero ahora el SEÑOR habla, diciendo: Dentro de tres años, como los contaría un jornalero, la gloria de Moab será despreciada con toda su gran muchedumbre, y su remanente será muy pequeño y débil.

Isaías 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

Moab is exhorted to yield obedience. (1-5) The pride and the judgments of Moab. (6-14)

Verses 1-5 God tells sinners what they may do to prevent ruin; so he does to Moab. Let them send the tribute they formerly engaged to pay to Judah. Take it as good advice. Break off thy sins by righteousness, it may lengthen thy quiet. And this may be applied to the great gospel duty of submission to Christ. Send him the lamb, the best you have, yourselves a living sacrifice. When you come to God, the great Ruler, come in the name of the Lamb, the Lamb of God. Those who will not submit to Christ, shall be as a bird that wanders from her nest, which shall be snatched up by the next bird of prey. Those who will not yield to the fear of God, shall be made to yield to the fear of every thing else. He advises them to be kind to the seed of Israel. Those that expect to find favour when in trouble themselves, must show favour to those in trouble. What is here said concerning the throne of Hezekiah, also belongs, in a much higher sense, to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Though by subjection to Him we may not enjoy worldly riches or honours, but may be exposed to poverty and contempt, we shall have peace of conscience and eternal life.

Verses 6-14 Those who will not be counselled, cannot be helped. More souls are ruined by pride than by any other sin whatever. Also, the very proud are commonly very passionate. With lies many seek to gain the gratification of pride and passion, but they shall not compass proud and angry projects. Moab was famous for fields and vineyards; but they shall be laid waste by the invading army. God can soon turn laughter into mourning, and joy into heaviness. In God let us always rejoice with holy triumph; in earthly things let us always rejoice with holy trembling. The prophet looks with concern on the desolations of such a pleasant country; it causes inward grief. The false gods of Moab are unable to help; and the God of Israel, the only true God, can and will make good what he has spoken. Let Moab know her ruin is very near, and prepare. The most awful declarations of Divine wrath, discover the way of escape to those who take warning. There is no escape, but by submission to the Son of David, and devoting ourselves to him. And, at length, when the appointed time comes, all the glory, prosperity, and multitude of the wicked shall perish.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 16

This chapter is a continuation of the prophecy against Moab; in which the prophet gives good advice, but in case of a haughty neglect of it, which he foresaw, threatens with ruin, and fixes a time for it. He advises the Moabites to pay their tribute to the king of Judah, or otherwise they should be turned out of their land, as a bird out of its nest, Isa 16:1,2 to protect, and not betray the people of the Jews that should flee to them, because of the Assyrian army, Isa 16:3,4 and for this end gives a great character of the king of Judah, and assures them of the stability of his kingdom, Isa 16:5 but for their pride, wrath, and lying, they are threatened with destruction, and are represented as howling under it, Isa 16:6,7 because of the spoil of their cities, vineyards, and fields, so that they have no harvest, nor vintage, nor gathering of summer fruits, or joy on these accounts, Isa 16:8-10 for which even the prophet expresses a concern, Isa 16:11 and after having observed the application of the Moabites to their gods without success, Isa 16:12 the chapter is closed with an assurance of the certain ruin of Moab, and of the time when it should be, Isa 16:13,14.