13 This is the word which the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab when Moab’s pride and resistance to God were first known. 14 But now the LORD speaks, saying, “Within 1three years, as the years of aa hired man who will not serve longer than the agreed time, the glory of bMoab will be degraded along with all 2the great population, and the remnant that survives will be very small and of no account.”This prophecy was fulfilled after the death of King Ahaz of Judah (Is 14:28), about the third year of King Hezekiah’s reign. Moab was not left completely without population at this time; there was still a “remnant.” The final desolation of Moab was reserved for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 582 B.C., some five years after the taking of Jerusalem. The ruins of Elealeh, Heshbon, Medeba, Dimon, etc., still exist to confirm through modern research the accuracy of the fulfillment of this prophecy.Lit all the great number.Job 7:1; 14:6; Is 21:16Is 25:10; Jer 48:42
Prophecy of Moab’s Devastation
aSend lambs to the ruler of the land 1you Moabites,From bSela that is, Petra in Edom through the wilderness to the cmountain of the Daughter of Zion . 2+@Kin 3:4, 5As King Mesha sent 100,000 lambs each year to King Ahab of Israel (2 Kin 3:4), so now the Moabites are advised to win the king’s favor and protection by diverting their tribute to the king in Jerusalem as an acknowledgment of subjection.2 Kin 3:4; Ezra 7:172 Kin 14:7; Is 42:11Is 10:322 For like awandering birds or scattered nestlings,The daughters of bMoab will be at the fords of the river cArnon.Prov 27:8Jer 48:20, 46Num 21:13, 143 Say to the ruler “Give us advice, make a decision for Moab, king of Judah;Cast your ashadow over us like night in the midst of noon;bHide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive to his pursuer.Is 25:4; 32:21 Kin 18:44 “Let our outcasts of Moab live among you;Be a sheltered hiding place to them from the destroyer.”For the extortioner has come to an end, destruction has ceased,aOppressors who trample men have completely disappeared from the land,Is 9:4; 14:4; 49:26; 51:13; 54:145 A athrone will be established in lovingkindness,And One will sit on it in faithfulness in the tent of bDavid;Judging and seeking justiceAnd being prompt to do righteousness. Ps 96:13; Jer 48:47Is 9:6, 7; 32:1; 55:4; Dan 7:14; Mic 4:7; Luke 1:33Is 9:7
6 aWe have heard of the pride of Moab, an excessive pride—Even of his arrogance, bhis conceit, his rage,His untruthful boasting.Jer 48:29; Amos 2:1; Obad 3, 4; Zeph 2:8, 10Jer 48:307 Therefore Moab will wail for Moab; everyone will wail.You will mourn for the araisin cakes of bKir-hareseth,As those who are utterly stricken and discouraged.1 Chr 16:32 Kin 3:25; Jer 48:318 For the fields of aHeshbon have languished and withered, and the vines of bSibmah as well;The lords of the nations have trampled down Moab’s choice vine branches,Which reached as far as Jazer and wandered into the wilderness;cIts tendrils stretched out, they passed over the shores of the Dead Sea.Is 15:4Num 32:38Jer 48:329 Therefore I will aweep bitterly for Jazer, for the vines of Sibmah.I will drench you with my tears, O bHeshbon and Elealeh;For the war-cry of the enemy has fallen on your csummer fruits and your harvest.Jer 48:32Is 15:4Jer 40:10, 12; 48:3210 aGladness and joy are taken away from the fruitful field;In the bvineyards there will be no singing or joyful sound;No ctreader treads out wine in the presses,For I put an end to the joyful shouting.Is 24:8; Jer 48:33Judg 9:27; Is 24:7; Amos 5:11, 17Job 24:11; Amos 9:1311 Therefore my aheart sounds like a harp in mournful compassion for Moab,And my inner being mourns for Kir-hareseth.Is 15:5; 63:15; Jer 48:36; Hos 11:8; Phil 2:112 So it will come to pass when Moab apresents himself,When he bwearies himself worshiping on his chigh place of idolatryAnd comes to his sanctuary of Chemosh, god of Moab to pray,That he will not prevail. Jer 48:13Num 22:39-41; Jer 48:351 Kin 18:29Is 15:2