The Explanation of Moab’s Fall

Isaiah 16:1–14
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Instead of coming to Jerusalem, with the Assyrian armies coming, the Moabites fled all the way south to strongholds in Edon, such as the city of Petra (v. 1), which was about 50 miles south of Moab’s southern border. From here the Moabites sent an appeal to the king of Judah to give them asylum from the enemy (vv. 2-4). But Isaiah warns them that it will take more than a request. They will need to submit to the king of Judah and pay tribute by sending animals. Then a kingdom of love will be set up, and someone from David’s family will rule with fairness (v. 5). They wanted Judah’s help, but they did not want Judah’s God.

Isaiah exposes the pride and conceit of Moab (v. 6) The people of Moab should have realized their helplessness before the Assyrians and turned to God, through their neighbor Israel, but they refused to do so. As a result, the fruitfulness and productivity of their land would be stopped (vv. 7-10). While the treading of grapes (squeezing the juice by mashing them with their bare feet) had been a time of great joy at the end of the harvest season, it would soon be ended because the people ignored God and rebelled against Him (v. 10). The invading army and the drought which would accompany it would wipe out Moab’s chances for survival. There was great sympathy for Moab (v. 11). The prophecy closes with an explanation about Moab’s fall (vv. 12-14). Moab is to become “weary on the high place,” which no doubt refers to the temples of her pagan gods.

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