isaiah 15 and 16

Read Isaiah 15 and 16 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions

Isa 15:1-16:4 {s} YHVH’s heart cries out because of Moab’s destruction/ hide his fugitives, O daughter of Zion
Isa 16:5-12 {s} Mourning for Moab, for his pride is unfounded, and upon his produce will be heard the cry of battle
Isa 16:13-14 {p} YHVH has spoken, that within three years it shall come to pass

Strong theme

Isa 15:1-16:14 {s+s+p} Wailing for the destruction of Moab/ within three years it shall come to pass

Isa 15:1-16:14 {s+s+p} Chiastic structure

The thing which struck me are the phrases, “My heart will cry out for Moab; My heart shall resound like a harp for Moab.” The Hebrew says, “My heart moans like a harp for Moab,” so the picture is given of a mournful dirge rather than a song of praise. We have known from the foundation of Scripture that the LORD has set His love upon Israel. But now we are beginning to see that the compassion of the LORD’s heart is with the nations as well (and of course, if we think about it, we do see this from Genesis; for immediately following the history of the Tower of Babel dispersion, where all the families of the earth joined together to rebel against God and establish their own gods of their own making, God calls Abram from Ur, so that in him all the families of the earth may be blessed (Gen 11-12). Yes, all those families that just slapped Him in the face! Oh may Your people be given a fresh revelation of the great extent of the love of Your heart, Father!)

And then I noticed the central axis is yet another prophecy of Messiah in Isaiah. The ones we have encountered so far:

In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped. Isa 4:2

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isa 7:14

The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Isa 8:13-14

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isa 9:6-7

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isa 11:1-5

And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious. Isa 11:10

In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness. Isa 16:5