Read Isaiah 15 and 16 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
15:1-16:4 {s} YHVH’s heart cries out because of Moab’s destruction/ hide his fugitives, O daughter of Zion
16:5-12 {s} Mourning for Moab, for his pride is unfounded, and upon his produce will be heard the cry of battle
16:13-14 {p} Now YHVH has spoken, that within three years it shall come to pass
The Strong theme:
15:1-16:14 {s+s+p} Wailing for the destruction of Moab/ within three years it shall come to pass
The Chiastic structure:
The Messianic prophecy of Messiah’s throne, established in covenant mercy and enduring truth over the nations, offers Moab hope amisdt her desolation.
Isaiah’s prophecy of Moab’s desolation, fulfilled within three years, is documented in Ussher’s Annals of the World:
726 BC
Ahaz died in this year. The prophet Isaiah foretold the destruction of the Philistines (who at that time, unjustly held a part of Judah) (Isa 14:28-32). Likewise, he predicted that a great disaster was to befall the Moabites within three years (Isa 15:1-16:14).
724 BC
When Shalmaneser [king of Assyria] found out that Hoshea had allied himself with the king of Egypt, he first secured all the land of the Moabites.So that he might have no enemy at his rear to annoy his army, he razed to the ground their two great cities, Arnon and Kirhareseth. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah foretold three years earlier (Isa 16:7-11, see Tremullius). Then he went through and wasted all the land of Israel, marching toward Samaria in the fourth year of Hezekiah.In the seventh year of Hoshea, he besieged Samaria for three years (2 Kin 17:4-5, 18:9).
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Annals of the World by James Ussher, translated by Larry and Marion Pierce – Master Books
Chesed, “Mercy,” Strong’s H2617 – Christine Miller
Emeth, “Truth,” Strong’s H571, from aman, “To believe,” Strong’s H539 – Christine Miller
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