CHAP. XLVIII .
5 For in the going up of i Luhith $conA prophecy against Moab, for presuming on her wealth, 1-10; tinual weeping shall go up; for in the going
her uninterrupted prosperity, 11-13, and her strength for war, 14,15: and for her contempt of God and his people; and her great pride, &c. 16-46. The restoration of Moab, 47.
GAINST Moab thus saith the LorD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: * Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
2 There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be 1 cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall $ pursue thee.
3 Af voice of crying shall be from * Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction. 4 Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
6 Flee, save your lives, and 1 be like | the heath in the wilderness.
7 Form because thou hast trusted in thy works, and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, with his priests and his princes together.
8 And P the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the Lord hath spoken.
9 Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell
therein.
j Is. 15:5.
Heb. weeping with weeping. k 51:6. Gen. 19:17. Ps. 11:1. Prov. 6:4,5. Matt. 24:16-18. Luke 3:7. 17:31-33. Heb. 6:18.
1 17:6. Job 30:3-7. || Or, a naked tree.
m 9:23. 13:25. Ps. 40:4. 49:6, 7. 52:7. 62:9-10. Is. 59:4-6. Ez. 28:2-5. Hos. 10:13. 1
ecy was fulfilled during the siege of Tyre by termine on the utter ruin of the nation. Or, the Nebuchadnezzar. ( Note , 1.)
passage may mean, that there should be no more glorying in Moab, concerning Heslibon, as a strong fortress or a flourishing city: for their enemies had devised their complete destruction. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .-- Is . 15:1.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Men often apprehend no danger from that quarter, whence evil is appointed against them. ( Notes , 2 Kings 20:17,18. Is . 7:17--19.)--The A confederacy of the Moabites and of the neighheight of ungodly prosperity is the forerunner boring nations, is represented by the Psalmist, of destruction; and sinful pleasures terminate as using the same language concerning Israel, in outcries and howlings of misery.--We which the Chaldeans are here introduced, as should commit our children to the Lord's keep- employing concerning Moab. ( Notes , Ps . 83:1 ing; for we know not how soon we may be de---12.)
prived of power, or heart, to take any care of them ourselves.--When he intends to destroy the wicked, he will "cut off every helper;" and where he inflicts vengeance, he will remove all consolation.--The miseries occasioned by war should be deeply lamented by us: and we deeply lamented should earnestly earnestly desire and pray, that this "sword of the LORD may return into the scab- bard, and be still:" yet we should be ready humbly to acquiesce in his appointments, who, in perfect ect wisdom and justice, gives it commis- sion, and will cause it to effect his purposes, notwithstanding all the power of those who at- tempt to arrest its progress. (Note, Matt . 24:6 --8.)
NOTES.
V.3--5. ( Notes , Is . 15:3--5.) The lamentations of the Moabites would be so loud and grievous, as to be heard even by their enemies, at a distance; and thus their outcries would direct the pursuers of the fugitives.
The enemies . (5) Or, My enemies . The Moabites were enemies to God, and to his people. ( Notes , 26-28. Ez . 25:8-11. Zeph . 2:8--10.)
V. 6. ( Marg . Ref .) 'Escape for your lives, 'and be content to be left poor, mean, and desolate; ( Note , 17:5--8, vv . 5,6.) and hide your'selves in barren places, whither the enemy 'will not pursue you.'-- The heath .] "A blasted tree." Blayney. ( Marg .)
V.7. The Moabites had confided in their fortifications, or methods of defence, and in the riches laid up in their treasuries; or in their superstitious observances, their idol Chemosh, the work of their hands, and the treasures dedicated to him. (Marg. Ref .)--'Both thy 'great idol and his maintainers, shall be led 'away captives; so that they shall then know "The prophet Jeremiah, in his prophecy,... bor- ( Notes , 13. 43:8-13. Num . 21:26--30, v . 29. Is. 'rows several expressions out of Isaiah's proph- 46:1,2.) 'ecy against the same people; though that was V.8.
They that live in the country, with the 'probably fulfilled several years before.' Lowth . 'flocks and pastures, shall be involved in the -The predictions of Isaiah, it is generally 'same calamity with the inhabitants of the supposed, were fulfilled by Shalmaneser; but 'cities.' Lowth .--Not one city would escape, those of Jeremiah by Nebuchadnezzar. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .-- Notes , Is . 15: 16:)
CHAP. XLVIII. V. 1. 'The following proph'ecies against Moab, Ammon, Edom, and the 'neighboring countries, seem to have been ful'filled, during the long siege of Tyre.... ( Ez . 25: '8, &c.)... Josephus... places these events five 'years after the destruction of Jerusalem.-- 'that it is in vain to look for help at idols.'
nor any part of the country. ( Marg . Ref .) V. 9. No common speed can deliver Moab 'from that imminent danger that threatens 'him. (28)' Lowth . ( Notes , Ps. 55:4-8. Prov. 6:
V. 2. Moab should be no more praised as an honorable kingdom: for the invaders, having possessed themselves of Heshbon, would de-1-5. Rev. 12:13-17.)
10 Cursed be he that doeth the work || him; and all ye that know his name, say, of the LORD * deceitfully, and cursed be he How is the strong staff broken, and the that keepeth back his sword from blood.
11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity; y therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
12 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send unto him " wanderers that shall cause him to wander, and shall a empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
13 And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.
beautiful rod!
18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, nand sit in thirst, for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
19 O inhabitant of o Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?
20 Moab is a confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in 'Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
21 And judgment is come upon $ the plain country; upon Holon, and upon t Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
22 And upon "Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,
23 And upon x Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon.
24 And upon " Kerioth, and upon a Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
[Practical Observations.]
c 1 Kings 12:28,29. Hos. 8:5,6. k 39. Is. 9:4. 10:5, 14:5. Ez. 10:5,6,14,15. Am. 5:5,6.
d 8:8. Ps. 11:1. Is. 36:4,5.
e 9:23. 49:16. Ps. 33:16. Ec. 9:11. Is. 10:13,16. 16:6. Ez. 30:6. Zeph. 2:10.
f See on 8,9.-18-25.
Heb. the choice of his, &c. g 4. 51:40. Is. 34:2-8. h 46:18. 51:57. Ps. 24:8-10. 47:2. Dan. 4:37.
Zech. 14:9.
Mal. 1:14. Rev. 19:16.
a 11,38. 14:3. 19:10. 25:34. i 1:12. Deut. 32:35. Is. 13:22. Ps. 2:9. Is. 30:14. Nah. 2:2.
b 7,39,46. Judg. 11:24. 1 Sam. 5:3-7. 1 Kings 18:26-29,40. Is. 2:20. 16:12. 45:16,20. 46: 1,2.
16:13, 14. Ez. 12:23,28. 2 Pet. 2:3.
j31-33. 9:17-20. Is. 16:8. Rev. 18:14-20.
19:11-14. Zech. 11:10-14.
1 46:19. Is. 47:1.
m 22. Num. 21:30. 32:3. Josh. 13:17. Is. 15:2.
n Gen. 21:16. Ex. 17:3. Judg. 15:18. Is. 5:13. Ez. 19:13.
Heb. inhabitress.
o Num. 32:34. Deut. 2:36. Sam. 24:5. 1 Chr. 5:8.
p 1 Sam. 4:13,14,16. 2 Sam. 1: 3,4. 18:24-32.
q.1-5. Is. 15:1-5,8. 16:7-11. r Num. 21:13,14,26-28. Deut. 2:36. Josh. 13:9. Judg. 11:18. Is. 16:2.
s 8. Ez. 25:9. Zeph. 2:9.
V. 10. The Chaldeans were commissioned to execute vengeance on Moab; and they would expose themselves to vengeance, if they did it partially, and only by halves. This emphat-away captive into a distant country; desolating
ically denoted, that God would effectually take care for the performance of his word; and would find instruments, who would not "keep back their swords from blood." ( Marg . Ref . -Notes , Num . 31:14-18.Judg. 5:23,24. Sam . 15:1-3,8-23. 1 Kings 20:41,42.)
V. 11. The nation of Moab, though small, was very ancient, and had for many ages connanananadorsanyages
V. 12. The Chaldeans would march far from home, under the secret direction of God, to conquer the Moabites, and to carry them their cities, wasting their country, and destroying all that they had gloried in.
Wanderers &c.[ צעים וצעהו. Blayney thinks that the word denotes the lowering of a cask, in order to empty it; and that the metaphor of the preceding verse is continued throughout this. ( Marg . Ref . Note, 13:12— 14.)
V. 13. 'As the calf of Bethel was not able 'to deliver the Israelites, no more shall Che'mosh deliver the Moabites.' ( Notes , 7. 2:3337. Judg . 11:24. 1 Kings 12:26-31. Hos . 8:5,6. 10:5,6.)
V. 14-16. Marg. Ref . Notes, 8:8,9. 2 Kings 18:18-21. Is . 19:11-14.
experienced few of those violent convulsions and revolutions, with which the surrounding nations had been harassed: and though the Moabites seem to have suffered grievous calamities, some years before; ( Note , 1.) yet they had not been carried out of their land by repeated captivities, as Israel and Judah had been; and they had recovered their strength and prosperity before this time. They were, therefore, 'his former fame and glory, bewail his misforlike wine left long to refine and feed on the 'tunes.' Lowth . (Notes, 2 Sam . 1:19—27. Is . 15: lees; which becomes much stronger, than 5.)
V. 17. His calamities are so great, as must 'needs make all that see him, or have heard of
when frequently emptied from vessel to vessel. V. 18. In thirst , &c.] Thirst, or the exHaving met with little disturbance, they be-treme want of every thing, is here opposed
came proud, presumptuous, secure, and sensual; indulging in wickedness habitually, and from age to age, without any degree of refermation. ( Notes , Is . 25:6-8. Zeph. 1:12.)
that luxury and splendor, splendor, to which the Moabites had been accustomed. ( Marg . Ref . )
V. 19-25. The inhabitants of Aroer, a city on the borders of Moab, are represented, as
ted
26 Make dye him drunken; for he Moab; and I have caused wine to fail magnified himself against the LORD: Moab from the wine-presses: none shall tread also shall wallow in his vomit, & and he also shall be in derision.
27 Forh was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou * skippedst or joy .
28 O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.
29 We have mheard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud,) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
30 I° know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; this lies shall not so effect it .
31 Therefore will I howl for Moab and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir-heres.
32 Os vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of t Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: "the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer-fruits and upon thy vintage.
33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of
d 13:13,14. 25:15-17,27-29. 51:7,39,57. Ps. 60:3. 75:8. Is. 29:9. 51:17. 63:6. Lam. 3:15. 4:21. Ez. 23:31-34. Nah. 3: 11. Rev. 16:19.
e 42. Ex. 5:2. 9:17. Job 9:4. Is. 10:15. Ez. 35:12,13. Dan. 5:23. 8:11,12, 11:36. Zeph. 2: 8-10.2 Thes. 2:4.
f Is. 19:14. 29:9. Hab. 2:16.
g 39. Ps. 2:4. 59:8. Ez. 23:32. h Ps. 44:13. 79:4. Prov. 24:17, 18. Lam. 2:15-17. Ez. 25.8. 26:22,8. 35:15. 36:2,4. Ob. 12,13. Mic. 7:8-10. Matt. 7:2. i 2:26. Matt. 20:55. 27:38.
* Or, movedst thyself.
k 9. Judg. 6:2. 1 Sam. 13.6. Is. 2:19. Ob. 3,4.
1 49:16. Ps. 55:6,7. Cant, 2:14.
m Is. 16:6. Zeph. 2:8-10. n Job 40:10-12. Ps. 138:6. Prov. 18:12. 30:13. Is. 2:11,12. Dan. 4:37. Luke 14:11. Jam. 4:6, o Is. 16:6. 37:28,29.
Or, those on whom he stayeth (Heb. his bars) do not right. p 50:36. Job 9:12,13. Ps. 33:10. Prov. 21:30.
q See on Is. 15:5. 16:7-1). r 36.2 Kings 3:25. Kir -hara- seth. Is. 16:7. Kir -hareseth. s Num. 32:38. Shibmak. Josh. 13:19. Is. 16:8,9.
t Num. 21:32. Jaazer. 32:1,35. Josh. 21:39.
u 8,15,18. 40:10.
x 25:9,10. Is. 9-3. 16:9. 24:7- 12. 32:9-14. Joel 1:12,16. Rev. 18:22:23.
standing to inquire of the few, whether men or women who had escaped the general slaughter, what had been done: and the subsequent verses seem to contain the answer which would be returned to this inquiry. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . Notes, 1 Sam . 4:13-18. 2 Sam . 18:19-32. Job 1:14,15.)
V. 26. Marg. Ref . -Notes, 13:12-14. 25:15 -17,27,28. Hab . 2:15-17.
V. 27. The Moabites exceedingly rejoiced at the calamities of Israel, and insulted over the sufferers; as thieves are sometimes derided when apprehended in the fact: but the sufferers had not injured them, and their joy arose from malice, envy, and enmity against
with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
34 From the cry of Heshbon even unto a Elealeh, and even unto b Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be + desolate.
y Is. 5:10. 7:23. 16:10. Joel 1: 5,12,13. Hag, 2:16..
z See on 2.- Is. 15:4-6. a Num. 32:37.
b See on 21. Jahazah.
c 3. Deut. 34:3. Is. 15:5. d Num. 32:3. Nimrah. 36. Beth-nimrah. Is. 15:6. Heb. desolations.
e 7. Num. 22:40,41. 28:14,28- 30. Is. 15:2. 16:12.
f 4:19. Is. 15:5. 16:11. 63:15. g See on 31.
17:11. Prov. 11:4. 13:22. 18:11. F.c. 5:13,14. Is. 15:7. Luke 12:20,21. Jam. 5:2,3.
i 16:6. 41:5. 47:5. Is. 3:24. 15:
more intolerable. ( Note , Is. 16:6.) The several expressions here employed, denote the various ways, in which the Moabites shewed their insolence and arrogance; especially it appeared in their haughty indignation against Israel, and their slanders, and ostentatious boastings of what they would do against them: but the Lord knew all their purposes and dissimulation, and would take care that they should not succeed. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .)-'The word baddim , ' rendered lies , 'some'times means those who pretend to the arts of 'divination.... If we take the word in this sense, (50:36.) the meaning of the sentence is, that although the soothsayers and magicians, upon
the God of Israel. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .-- 'whose skill Moab relies, promise him good
Notes, 2-5. 2:26-30. Ez . 25:8-11. Zeph . 2:8 -10.)--"That thou shouldest insult him with all the power of thy words." Blayney . This appears a just translation of the last clause.
V. 28. Marg. Ref .--Notes, 6. Cant . 2:14.Sides, &c.] That is, "On the edge of the precipice." Blayney .
V. 29, 30. Isaiah brought this same charge against Moab; but their pride grew more and VOL. IV.
'success, and thereby encourage his pride and 'arrogance; yet in the event it will appear, that 'there was nothing of truth in what they said.'
Lowth.
V. 31-34. Marg . Ref .-- Notes , 2--6. Is . 15: 5-7.16:8-11.24:1-12.-- Heifer , &c. (34) 'The 'lowing of a young cow that runs from place 'to place in search of her calf, which has been taken from her. Blayney .
[409
V. 35--39. Marg . Ref . Notes , 7,17. 16:57. 25:34-36. 47:5. Is . 15:2—4,6-9. 16:12. 22: 1-4.
V. 40. 'The Chaldean shall come swiftly 'upon him, as an eagle on his prey, and shall 'spread his wings over Moab.' Bp . Hall . ( Notes , 4:11--13. Deut . 28:49--57. Ez . 17:1-10.)
V. 41, 42. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 2-5. 46:27, 28.) Moab has long since ceased to be a people: Israel to this day is kept distinct from all other nations!-The principal reason assigned for these severe judgments on Moab, a heathen nation, is this, that "he had magnified himself against JEHOVAH." ( Marg . Ref .-- Notes , 26,29, 30. Ex . 5:2. 9:17. 2 Kings 19:22,23. Ez . 35:12 --15. Dan . 5:18-24. 8:23-25. 11:36. 2 Thes . 2:3,4.)
V. 43, 44. Marg . Ref . x, y.--Notes, Is. 24: 17-20. Am . 5:18-20. 9:1-4.-Year of their visitation . (44) Marg . Ref . z.
V. 45, 46. Heshbon, a strong fenced city, would by no means prove a refuge to those who fled thither, in hopes of making a stand against the force of the enemy; for, falling into the hands of the conquerors, a fire would, as it were, issue from it to destroy the rest of the country. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .--Notes, Am . 1:3-15. 2:2,3.)-The prophet at the close adopts the language, in which the Amorites, many ages before, had triumphantly exulted over Moab. ( Notes , Num . 21:26--30, υυ . 28,29. 24:17.)
V. 47. The Moabites were afterwards re'stored to their country, as appears from Jose'phus: ... but these and such like promises of 'mercy after judgment, are chiefly to be under'stood of the conversion of the Gentiles under 'the gospel, called the latter days in the proph'ets.' Lowth .-Events still in futurity seem also intimated. (Marg. Ref.--Notes, 49:6. Ez . 16: 52--55, ν. 53.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-25.
Woe be to all those, against whom the LORD of Hosts has spoken! They can expect nothing but terror and confusion; all their praise and honor must expire in infamy; they who devise evil against them will succeed according 410]
of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, z the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.
45 They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
46 Woe be unto thee, O Moab! d the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
47 Yet
will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the Lord. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
to their wishes; the sword of justice will pursue them; weeping and bitter wailing will attend their great destruction; and generally, their children will be involved in calamities on their account. There is indeed a Refuge provided for sinners: and the exhortation should be urged on them with all earnestness "to flee from the wrath to come," to seek the salvation of their souls, and to forsake all for Christ and the gospel; as men in perilous circumstances, part with all their substance to save their lives.
But the case of obstinate unbelievers is very dreadful; for "how shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation?"-Those who trust in their own works, treasures, or superstitions, will soon be overtaken by the vengeance of God, and will go into destruction, along with their idols and deceivers, and will for ever be made ashamed of their confidences.
No guilty city, village, or individual, shall be able to escape the ruin, which the Lord has spoken against them: and if any could "give wings" to sinners, they could not fly out of the reach of the divine indignation. ( Note , Ps . 139:9,10.) -Whatever God enjoins us must be done heartily, and according to his word, if we would escape his curse.
We should indeed be thankful, that we are required to seek the preservation of men's lives, and the salvation of their souls, and not to shed their blood: but we shall be the more inexcusable, if we do this "work deceitfully," preferring our own interest, credit, inclination, or indulgence, to the glory and will of God: and it is great insolence, for man to pretend to be more merciful than his Creator.--When men continue long in peace, wealth, and prosperity, and escape the calamities which others experience; they are apt to grow insensible and secure; to contract habits of pride, impiety, iniquity, and self-indulgence; to cleave without remorse to evil practices, and to proceed from bad to worse: so that great prosperity is ty is peculiarly dangerous to us as fallen creatures.
But when the Lord's time comes, he will send upon sinners, who are thus "settled on their lees," such judgments, as will dash their comforts and hopes in pieces. In vain do men say, that they are "mighty and strong for the battle:" when "the