CHAP. XVI. V. 1, 2. The Moabites had paid tribute to the kings of David's race, out of their flocks; but when Judah was reduced, they revolted: (2 Kings 3:4. 1 Chr . 18:2. Note , 2 Kings 1:1.) and the prophet seems here to call on them to send again the tributary lamb, to Hezekiah, from one end of the land to the other, and "to the daughter of Zion," the place of God's worship; as a token of their submission to him, and their desire of deprecating his indignation, by furnishing sacrifices at the Temple. For otherwise the invaders would desolate the land, and drive the daughters of Moab before them, destitute and defenceless, to pass the fords of Arnon, like birds that wander from their nest. ( Marg . Ref . Note , Prov . 27:8.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Whilst wicked men are asleep, or drunken, in the night, their enemies are watchful and active; and death often breaks their pleasing or golden dreams, or silences their tumultuous revels. But let us "be sober and vigilant," lest "that day should come upon us unawares." -The ungodly, when in danger or trouble, may well be alarmed and inconsolable; for V.3-5. The Moabites were exhorted, as they are destitute of a comforter, and of any they were in interest concerned, to take counadequate support.
Yet, alas! they are but sel how to escape the judgments which imseldom induced to approach the mercy-seat of pended over them: and if they would be adGod, with penitent sorrow and believing vised by the prophet, let them begin by doing prayer; and all other endeavors to extricate justice, and protecting the oppressed.
Many themselves eventually involve them the more. of the Jews had been driven from their habita--Temporal sufferings may render life grievous tions, during the distractions of the preceding to such as find the thoughts of death intolera- years: let Moab shelter those of them who ble; but some, alas very many in these days, came into their country, as the people of God, are left to seek escape from present anguish, and conceal them from their spoilers.
For, by plunging themselves into eternal misery! though Israel had been grievously wasted, How worthless then are men's idolized treas- they would not always continue in that disures! How soon will every possession be torn tressed condition.
Their ravages were about from them, or made a burden to them! and to be cut off: God would in mercy establish more and more anguish still remains for im- Hezekiah on the throne, and in the tabernacle penitent sinners, after all which they have of David, as one who would tread in the steps suffered, till they fall into that place where is of his pious progenitor; maintaining the truth progem "weeping and guashing of teeth" for ever. and worship of God, impartially executing Yet our hearts should be pained for the suffer- justice, seeking diligently to find out the the right ings even of wicked men: for they are our in every cause, and making haste to reform brethren in Adam, however inimical to us: and the nation, and promote righteousness: and they may yet, for what we can know, be made then they would again prosper. ( Notes , Am. our brethren in Christ.
Whilst therefore we || 1:11,12. Ob . 10-14.) -Bishop Lowth applies 6 We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.
7 Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl; for the foundations of Kir-hareseth shall ye * mourn; surely they are stricken.
8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and "the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto y Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness; her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.
9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer, the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, a O Heshbon, and Elealeh; for the shouting for thy summer-fruits, and for thy harvest, is fall
en.
the counsel of the prophet to the Jews, and supposes that he exhorted them to entertain the Moabitish outcasts. But though this doubtless was a proper conduct for them; yet it is far more likely, that the exhortations were addressed to the same persons, against whom the predictions were uttered. Some think that the counsel given to Moab was ironical.
In the days of Ahaz, and especially after the victory of Pekah over Judah, the Jews, in great distress, perhaps perhaps sought shelter among the Moabites: but the Moabites are supposed to have repelled and betrayed them. ( Notes , 8,2 Chr . 28:5-11.) Had they at that time acted according to the reasonable advice here given, they might have escaped the ruin which now awaited them; but, by their cruelty to the people of God, they had provoked his vengeance: Pekah, Remaliah, and other oppressors had been cut off; ( Notes , 7:1-9,16.) Ahaz, the wicked king of Judah, was dead; and Judah no longer needed the assistance of Moab; for Hezekiah's throne was established in mercy.
He shall govern his people with 'an equal mixture of justice and mercy; and therein prefigure the Messias, in whom all the 'promises made to the house of David shall be 'finally accomplished. "The tabernacle of 'David," may allude to his having been a 'shepherd, and dwelling in tents, before he was 'advanced to the kingdom; but both here, and 'in Amos 9:11. (the only places where the 'phrase is used,) it mystically denotes the 'church. ... (Comp. Lev . 26:11. with Rev. 21:3.)' Lowth. (Notes, Am . 9:11,12. Acts 15:13-18.)
V. 6. The excessive pride of the Moabites, and their indignation against God's people, were generally reported, and well known: but their deceitful designs would not prosper.Some explain the last clause thus: "His wrath is greater than his strength." His power is not equal to his vain boastings. ( Marg . Ref. Notes, Jer . 48:29,30. Zeph . 2:8-10.)
10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage -shouting to cease.
11 Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir-haresh.
12 And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that & he shall come to the sanctuary to pray, but he shall not prevail.
13 This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
14 But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; m and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.
с 24:8,9. 32:10. Jer. 48:33. Am. 5:11,17. Hab. 3:17,18. Zeph. 1:13.
d 15:5. 63:15. Jer. 4:19. 31:20. 48:36. Hos. 11:8.
Phil. 2:1.
e 7. Kirhareseth.
f 15:2. Num. 22:39,41.23:1- 3,14,28. 24:17. Jer. 48:35.
h 47:13. 2 Kings 19:12,16-19. Ps. 115:3-7. Jer. 10:5.
i 44:8.
k 7:16. 15:5. 21:16. Deut. 15. 18.
1 17:4.23:9. Gen. 31:1. Esth. 5:11. Jer. 9:23. Nah. 2:9,10. m.Jer. 48:46,47.
g37:38. 1 Kings 11:7. 2 Kings Or, not many. 3:27. Jer. 48:7,13,40.
vines of Sibmah seem to have been had in great repute, and to have been thence propa- gated in very distant regions: but the lords, or conquerors, of the nations would soon destroy them, with all other productions of the land: and then their shouting and singing, for the vintage or harvest, would utterly cease. The prospect of these calamities greatly affected the prophet; he could not refrain from wecp- ing, and his inward commotion was such, that he compared it to the tremulous sound of a harp. ( Marg . Ref . Jer . 48:31-33. Note , 15:5., "Whose generous shoots overpowered the 'mighty lords of the nations." ... הלמי ,knocked down, demolished; that is, overpowered, in- 'toxicated. The drunkards of Ephraim are 'called by the prophet, 28:1. הלומי יין .' Bp. Lowth .
V. 12. The king and the nobles of Moab, in terror and distress, would weary themselves in sacrificing upon one high place after another; ( Notes , Num . 23:13,27.) and would at length resort to the sanctuary, the chief temple of their god Chemosh: but this would avail nothing to their preservation. ( Notes , 2 Kings 3:26,27.)
V. 13, 14. The Lord had made the approaching ruin of Moab known to his prophets, in former tiines; ( Notes , 25:10-12. Num . 24:17 Ez . 25:8-11. Am. 2:1-3.) but now he fixed the precise date of it; namely, after three exact years, such as hirelings serve. (Note, Deut. 15:18.) 'The remnant shall be few, small, and 'without strength.' Bp . Lowth .
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. The most awful denunciations of divine wrath are connected with the discovery of a way of escape, to those who take warning.Submission and tribute are due to such as God has made rulers of the land; and it is a valuable privilege to obey those who govern according to his word. From one end of the earth V. 7-11. (Marg. Ref. Note, 15:2.) Thell to the other, there is no salvation for sinners,