Friday, August 16, 2013

The Oracles of Moab PT-1 (Isaiah 15:1-9)


SPIRITUAL DAIRY FOR 8/16/2013 9:34 PM

My Worship Time                                                                                              Focus:  Moab PT-1

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Isaiah 15:1-9

            Message of the verses:  We will begin to look at the oracles that Isaiah writes about the nation of Moab remembering that the Moabite people were a product of an incestuous relationship between Lot and one of his daughters.  You can read about this in Genesis 19:30-38, and in the book of Numbers 25 & 31 and also Deut. 23:3 you will find out that Moab was an arch enemy of the nation of Israel.

            The plight of Moab (Isaiah 15:1-9):  “1  The oracle concerning Moab. Surely in a night Ar of Moab is devastated and ruined; Surely in a night Kir of Moab is devastated and ruined. 2 They have gone up to the temple and to Dibon, even to the high places to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba; Everyone’s head is bald and every beard is cut off. 3 In their streets they have girded themselves with sackcloth; On their housetops and in their squares Everyone is wailing, dissolved in tears. 4 Heshbon and Elealeh also cry out, Their voice is heard all the way to Jahaz; Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud; His soul trembles within him. 5 My heart cries out for Moab; His fugitives are as far as Zoar and Eglath-shelishiyah, For they go up the ascent of Luhith weeping; Surely on the road to Horonaim they raise a cry of distress over their ruin.

    “6 For the waters of Nimrim are desolate. Surely the grass is withered, the tender grass died out, There is no green thing. 7 Therefore the abundance which they have acquired and stored up They carry off over the brook of Arabim. 8 For the cry of distress has gone around the territory of Moab, Its wail goes as far as Eglaim and its wailing even to Beer-elim. 9 For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; Surely I will bring added woes upon Dimon, A lion upon the fugitives of Moab and upon the remnant of the land.”

            There is much lamentation seen in this short fifteenth chapter of Isaiah as he writes about the destruction of Moab by the Assyrians.  Dr. Wiersbe writes that according to Isaiah 16:14 Assyria would defeat Moab within three years of this prophecy.  In verses 6-7 we see that the Assyrians plugged up the water supply, something that was common in those days by an invading army as they would mostly leave the city in ruins.  We also see that the people of Moab would go to worship their gods in their temples, but you cannot expect answers to come from wood and stone or gold or silver gods. 

            We will look at the remaining parts of this prophecy about Moab in our next SD.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I mentioned that Moab was a product of an incestuous relationship between Lot and one of his daughters shortly after Lot escaped the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  The Bible says that Lot was so drunk that he did not even realize that he had a relationship with his daughters.  The other daughter and Lot produced the Ammonites.  I see much grace in this situation because Ruth came from Moab and she is in the bloodline of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I also see a picture of the rapture as Lot and his two daughters escaped the judgment of the Lord when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.  I also believe that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah are a picture of hell.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Continue to trust the Lord to guide my path each day as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 46:1-10

            1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.  Selah.  4 There is a river whose streams make glade the city of God, the dwelling place of the most high.  5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved, God will help her when morning dawns.

            6 The nations make an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.  The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our stronghold.  Selah.  8 Come behold the works of the Lord, who has wrought desolations in the earth.  9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.  10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Answer to yesterday’s Bible Question:  “Abraham” (Genesis 12:3).

Today’s Bible Question:  “How many proverbs did Solomon speak?” 

Answer in tomorrow’s SD.

8/16/2013 10:02 PM

 

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