isaiah 14 through 16

Read Isaiah 14 through 16 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions:

Isa 13:6-14:2 {s} Babylon overthrown at the hands of the Medes
Isa 14:3-23 {s} The proverb against the king of Babylon, who exalted himself, but who will be brought low
Isa 14:24-27 {p} The yoke of Assyria removed from the land of YHVH
Isa 14:28-32 {p} Do not rejoice, O Philistia, for destruction is determined against you
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

The strong themes:

Isa 10:33-11:10 {s+s+p} YHVH will humble the haughty/ the reign of the Branch, whom the Gentiles will seek
Isa 11:11-14:27 {sx4+p} The return of Israel/ overthrow of Babylon + its king + Assyrian yoke
Isa 14:28-32 {p} Do not rejoice, O Philistia, for destruction is determined against you
Isa 15:1-16:14 {s+s+p} Wailing for the destruction of Moab/ within three years it shall come to pass

The chiastic structure of chapters 15 and 16

1a) Isa 15:1-4, The burden against Moab: Moab is laid waste and destroyed;

1b) Isa 15:5a My heart will cry out for Moab;

1c) Isa 15:5b-164 {s} The remnant of Moab flee with weeping/ O daughter of Zion, do not betray their fugitives;

central axis) Isa 16:5, 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;

2c) Isa 16:6-10, The pride of Moab humbled/ the produce of Moab made to cease;

2b) Isa 16:11-12 {s} Therefore my heart shall resound like a harp for Moab, and my inner being for Kir Heres;

2a) Isa 16:13-14 {p} The LORD has spoken; within three years it shall come to pass upon Moab.

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!)

The central axis highlights the mercy of the LORD of hosts, in establishing the throne of David in righteousness. And this is the real message of the prophecy of the first half of the book of Isaiah. It is not merely judgment; but its heart is the remedy for sin so that judgment is no longer necessary. This freedom from sin comes through Messiah Yeshua, the One who will sit upon the throne of David. And as those who receive of His mercy for the forgiveness of their sins, submit to His rule and walk in His commandments out of their new life and new heart, His righteousness will hasten, and His justice be established.

His love, His mercy, His truth, yes, His salvation, and His righteousness, will extend to the nations through Messiah Yeshua:

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Isa 2:2-3

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

He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isa 11:12

For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The stranger shall join himself with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. Isa 14:1