CALVARY PANDAN three nations that were related to -PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, They were (from Esau), Ammon SINGAPORE (from Lot) and . But these nations did not leave Israel alone. For example, Balak, the king of Moab, DHW BIBLE CLASS purchased the services of Balaam, a false , to curse Israel when LESSON 15 Israel was en route to the Promised THE BOOK OF Land. Israel did not do anything to CHAPTER 15 justify such an attack. God turned the curses into a blessing. Then Balaam counselled Balak to get Israel to sin. Theme: “The sad end of a Gentile When Israel sins, the LORD will surely nation!” punish Israel. Balaam taught Balak who sent in many “loose” women to tempt Israel. Israel sinned against the THEME VERSE LORD and 24,000 died (see Numbers Isaiah 15:3 (KJV) “In their streets they 25). shall gird themselves with sackcloth: The hatred Moab had against on the tops of their houses, and in their Israel was more spiritual than carnal. streets, every one shall howl, weeping Although Ruth, the grandmother of abundantly.” King came from Moab, there was only animosity that existed INTRODUCTION between Moab and Israel all their days. Moab was not a city unrelated to There was no love lost between the Israel. Moab was one of two sons born two nations. In Isaiah’s time, the to Lot out of an incestual relationship judgement of the LORD will also between Lot’s daughter and himself. include this enemy of Israel. Like all Moab means “Who is my father?” This Gentile nations, the end will come. is a very apt name given to the poor Chapters 15 and 16 of Isaiah describe son as Lot was his grandfather as well this end. There is no man-made nation as his father. This name conjures bad on earth that will exist for eternity. memories of the time when the LORD There is no exception to this immutable had to destroy law of God. The only nation that will because their sins of homosexuality exist forever is the nation of Jesus and fornication were full. Christ!

Since that fateful day, Moab grew to become a nation of its own. OUTLINE However, Moab was not friendly 1. The Destruction (v.1); toward Israel. When God led Israel 2. The Mourning (v. 2-5); from into the Promised Land, Israel was told by God not to touch 3. The Deaths (v. 6-9). DHW LESSON 15 ISAIAH 15

COMMENTARY identified. It must always have been a place of importance. It is mentioned as The Destruction – 15:1 Charakmoba (Karakmoba) in the Acts The burden of Moab is the same of the Council of (536 AD) for the other Gentile nations mentioned and by the early geographers. It earlier. The word for burden means dominated the great caravan road heavy weight. The message for Moab connecting Syria with Egypt and was heavy as it describes her total Arabia. The Crusaders therefore destruction. The suddenness of directed attention to it, and held Moab’s destruction is seen in the use possession from 1167 till it fell again of the phrase “in the night”. The night is into the hands of the Moslems under less than half a day. Two major cities Saladin, 1188. The Chroniclers speak that belonged to Moab were suddenly of it as in el Belqa, and the chief city of destroyed within the same night. The Arabia Secunda. Under the title of swiftness of the destruction is also Petra Deserti the Crusaders founded emphasized here. Ar (means “city”) here a bishop's see. The Greek bishop and Kir (means “fortress) were both of Petra still has his seat in Kerak. laid waste i.e. ravaged. They were “Kerak stands upon a lofty spur totally destroyed and the destruction projecting westward from the Moab was total and swift. plateau, with Wady `Ain Franjy on the “The city of Ar is named in a South, and Wady el-Kerak on the snatch of ancient song (Num. 21:15), North, about 10 miles from the Dead literally "the site of Ar". It is identical with "Ar of Moab" (Num. 21:28; Isaiah Sea. The sides of the mountain sink 15:1). This is probably the place called sharply into these deep ravines, the City of Moab in Num. 22:36, where which unite immediately to the West, the Hebrew is `ir mo'abh. It is probably and, as Wady el-Kerak, the great also intended by "the city that is in the hollow runs northwestward to the middle of the valley" (Deu. 2:36; Jos 13:9,16; 2Sa 24:5). It lay "on the sea. It is a position of great natural border of the Arnon, which is in the strength, being connected with the utmost part of the border" (Num. uplands to the East only by a narrow 22:36).” [ISBE, Swordsearcher 6.1] neck. It is 3,370 ft. above the level of The city of Kir – “The name, at least the sea. The mountains beyond the in this form, appears only once (Isaiah adjacent valleys are much higher. 15:1) as that of a city in Moab. It is The place was surrounded by a named with Ar of Moab, with which strong wall, with five towers, which possibly it may be identical, since `ar can still be traced in its whole length. or `ir is the Hebrew equivalent of the The most northerly tower is well Moabite Qir. The Targum hence reads preserved. The most interesting "Kerak in Moab". There can be no building at Kerak is the huge castle doubt that the Kerak here intended is on the southern side. It is separated represented by the modern town of from the adjoining hill on the right by that name, with which, consequently, a large artificial moat; and it is Kir Moab is almost universally

2 DHW LESSON 15 ISAIAH 15 provided with a reservoir. A moat The Mourning – 15:2-5 also skirts the northern side of the The destruction of homes and fortress, and on the East, the wall lives are hard to bear. We are people has a sloped or battered base. The who cling on to familiarity to provide castle is then separated from the stability and strength for our existence town. The walls are very thick and on a daily basis. The “He” refers to the are well preserved. Beneath the Moabites who fled from the cities of Ar castle is a chapel in which traces of and Kir. They have gone up to Bajith frescoes are still visible. In days of (means “house”) and Dibon (means ancient warfare, the place must have “pining”), which were their high places been practically impregnable. It could for worshipping their gods, to weep. be entered only by two roads passing The word for weeping is “overflowing through rock-cut tunnels. The main sorrow”. The weeping was loud and danger must always have been desperate. They cried to their gods for failure of water supply. There are help for the destruction was great and springs immediately outside the city; the loss sorrowful. but those alone would not be The Moabites also wept for two sufficient. Great cisterns were other cities. The word used here is therefore constructed in the town and worse than the previous word. The also in the castle. The half-nomadic word “howl” literally means “to yell with inhabitants of Kerak today number a wailing tone.” The first city was some 1,140 families (Musil, Arabia (means “prophecy” in Hebrew). This Petrea, III, 97). The Greek church was probably near the place where claims about 2,000 souls; the rest are Moses was brought by the LORD to Moslems. They are wild and fearless see the Promised Land before his people, not greatly inclined to treat death (see Deu. 32:49). The other city strangers with courtesy and was called Medeba (means “water of kindness. In the spring of 1911, the quiet”). Apparently these two cities town was the center of a rising were also destroyed. against the government, which was The intense mourning of the not quelled until much blood had Moabites was described using been shed.” [ISBE, Swordsearcher baldness and beard shaven off. This 6.1] was their way of mourning as opposed The totality of the destruction of to the Jews who would wear sackcloth the two cities is deduced from the and put ashes on their heads. phrase “brought to silence”. The cities became deserted. The inhabitants left This city is first mentioned along with their ruined cities in haste to escape and Dibon in an account of with their lives. Israel's conquests (Num. 21:30). It lay in the Mishor, the high pastoral land of Moab. The district in which the city stood is called the Mishor or plain of

3 DHW LESSON 15 ISAIAH 15

Medeba in the description of the The ancient city is represented by the territory assigned to Reuben (Jos modern Madeba, a ruined site with an 13:9), or the plain by Medeba (Jos Arab village, crowning a low hill, some 13:16). Here the Ammonites and their 6 miles South of Heshbon, with which it Syrian allies put the battle in array was connected by a Roman road. The against Joab, and were signally ruins, which are considerable, date defeated (1Ch 19:7). This must have mainly from Christian times. The left the place definitely in the surrounding walls can be traced in possession of Israel. But it must have practically their whole circuit. There is changed hands several times. It was a large tank, now dry, measuring 108 taken by Omri, evidently from Moab; yds. X 103 yds. and about 12 ft. in and Mesha claims to have recovered depth. In 1880 it was colonized by possession of it (M S, ll. 7,8,29,30). It some Christian families from Kerak, would naturally fall to Israel under among whom the Latins carry on Jeroboam II; but in Isaiah 15:2, it is mission work. [ISBE, Swordsearcher, referred to as a city of Moab. It also 6.1] figures in later Jewish history. John, They shall wear sackcloth in the son of Mattathias, was captured and streets and howl and weep abundantly put to death by the Jambri, a robber (combination of the earlier two verbs) tribe from Medeba. This outrage was from their roof tops for the whole nation amply avenged by Jonathan and to hear and know that great destruction Simon, who ambushed a marriage had befallen Moab! They were not party of the Jambri as they were ashamed of their show of sorrow. They bringing a noble bride from Gabbatha, were bereaved on their might and slew them all and took their ornaments strength. They knew the final days of (1 Macc 9:36 ff; Ant, XII, i, 2, 4). Moab’s existence are pending. Medeba was captured by Hyrcanus Two new cities located east of "not without the greatest distress of his the River Jordan are added to this army" (Ant., XIII, ix, 1). It was taken by weeping. Heshbon (means Janneus from the Nabateans. “contrivance” shall cry (i.e. shriek in Hyrcanus promised to restore it with pain). Elealeh (means “God is going other cities so taken to Aretas in return up”) shall weep so loudly that it is for help to secure him on the Judean heard by another city called Jahaz throne (ibid., xv, 4; XIV, i, 4). Ptolemy (means “to stamp”). The armed speaks of it as a town in Arabia Petrea, soldiers were described as crying out between Bostra and Petra. Eusebius that his life is grievous unto him. They and Jerome knew it under its ancient were not able to help and defend name (Onomasticon, under the word). Moab. The destruction was too It became the seat of a bishropric, and overwhelming even their armed is mentioned in the Acts of the Council soldiers were crying out for help! of Chalcedon (451 AD), and in other ecclesiastical lists. The city of Jahaz – “This is the place where in a great battle Israel overwhelmed Sihon king of the

4 DHW LESSON 15 ISAIAH 15

Amorites, and then took possession of have viewed "the plain of the valley of all his territory (Nu 21:23, etc.). It is Jericho the city of palm trees, unto named along with Beth-baal-meon and Zoar" while in Isaiah 15:5 and Jer 48:4 Kedemoth (Jos 13:18), with Kedemoth (where the reads unto (Jos 21:37) pointing to a position in the "Zoar" instead of "her little ones"), it is Southeast of the Amorite territory. It said to be a city of Moab.” was given to Reuben by Moses, and The Deaths – 15:6-9 was one of the cities in the portion of that tribe assigned to the Merarite The Moabites mount up to a Levites. Mesha (MS, ll. 18 if) says that high place called Luhith (means the king of Israel dwelt in Jahaz when “glisten”). They weep as they climb up at war with him. Mesha drove him out, to Luhith. As they arrived at a place and the city passed into the hands of called (means “double cave Moab. It is referred to as a city of Moab town), they shall raise up a cry of in Isaiah 15:4; Jer 48:21,34.” [ISBE, destruction. The waters of Swordsearcher, 6.1] (means “clear waters”) shall be desolate i.e. dried up. Apparently Isaiah is described as weeping Nimrim was a place of plentiful waters. for Moab. He witnessed Moab’s utter But it will dry up. Hence the crops of destruction and he could not help the Moabites were destroyed. The hay himself but wept as he brought this withers. The grass fails. There is no prophetic judgement against her. This green thing in Moab. Famine follows is the heart of a true prophet. He very closely behind drought. These tempers justice with mercy. There was were catastrophes because of the no glee to bring such judgement upon destruction sent by the LORD. Israel’s enemies no matter how deserving Israel’s enemies were. The The food that the Moabites Moabites will flee to Zoar (means stored up for themselves were carried “small”) and they will weep loudly like a away by their enemies, the three-year-old heifer for all to hear! Babylonians. The word for “the willows” is used in Psalm 137 to describe The city of Zoar – “The name of . Psalms 137:2 (KJV) “We the city to which Lot escaped from hanged our harps upon the willows in Sodom (Ge 19:20-23,30), previously the midst thereof.” The cities of Moab mentioned in Ge 13:10; 14:2,8; where were destroyed and plundered by the its former name is said to have been Babylonians at will. The cry has gone Bela. In 19:22, its name is said to have all round the borders of Moab. The been given because of its littleness, howling has reached the cities of which also seems to have accounted Eglaim (means “a double pond”) and for it being spared. The location of Beerelims (means “well of heroes”). Zoar has much to do with that of the Beerlim was a city located north of cities of the Plain or Valley of Siddim, Moab and Eglaim was located to the with which it is always connected. In South of Moab. The length and Deuteronomy 34:3, Moses is said to breadth of Moab was covered by the

5 DHW LESSON 15 ISAIAH 15 crying of the Moabites because of the homeland! This loss was devastating destruction by the Babylonians. that one has to experience it to know When the days of destruction the full impact of what it means like the come, blood will flow. The waters of South Vietnamese who left their Dibon shall be full of blood. Those who country because they lost the war to escape will be eaten by lions sent by the Vietcongs i.e. the North the LORD. The remnant in Moab would Vietnamese. They fled as non entities also be eaten by these lions. The on boats. They became the boat destruction of Moab shall be total and people with no nationality begging for thorough! countries to take them in. They were at the mercy of others to survive. They came with their families or what was PRACTICAL VALUE left of their families. Helplessness? – Do you ever Christians do not have to fear the feel helpless at times when nothing loss of all things because all things to you do could change anything in life? the believer is Christ. As long as he Moab experienced her total destruction has Christ, he has everything. This helplessly. Their gods did not and means that if he loses everything else could not help. The people suffered including his health, job, family, terribly and many died and lost freedom and even his life, he has lost everything! Their nation was destroyed nothing. With Jesus Christ as the and there was nothing any of them believer’s Lord and Saviour, he has could do. Their armed soldiers could nothing to fear or worry about. This only wait to die themselves. There was world is not his home and can never be no help at all from all quarters. God his home. He will leave this world one would not help them because He does day for heaven. AMEN. not know them and did not enter into any covenant with them. He was not obligated to help them at all. For the believer, there is no DAILY READINGS & DISCUSSION such thing as helplessness. His God is QUESTIONS all powerful. Nothing can happen to him without His heavenly Father’s Daily Readings permission. The believer can always MONDAY: Isaiah 15:1-9; cry to the LORD for help and He hears and will surely help as He has TUESDAY: Isaiah 15:1-9; promised. WEDNESDAY: Isaiah 15:1-9; Loss of all things! – The Moabites THURSDAY: Isaiah 15:1-9; lost everything. They lost their homes. They lost their families. They lost their FRIDAY: Isaiah 15:1-9. freedom. They lost their health. They lost their security. They lost their

6 DHW LESSON 15 ISAIAH 15

Discussion Questions 4. What are some of the things in life 1. What makes you cry the most? that is worthy of crying over and what is not? Please explain. ______2. If CPBPC is destroyed i.e. turns liberal, would you weep and cry? 5. Would you weep when this world is Please explain your answer. destroyed? Explain your answer.

______

3. If Singapore comes under attack 6. What lessons can you learn from and is about to be captured by a this chapter about God’s Word and foreign power, would you weep and about yourself? cry? Please explain your answer. ______

7