September 22, Isaiah 15
My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee to
Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah. For at the ascent of
Luhith they go up weeping, on the road to
Horonaim they raise a cry of destruction; the
waters of Nimrim are a desolation; the grass is
withered, the vegetation fails, the greenery is no
more. - Isaiah 15:5-6
Pity is feeling sorrow or compassion for the
suffering of another. The history of the nation of
Moab is a pitiful story. From its shameful birth to
its tragic death, Moab’s tale is a dark example
of the tragic ruin of the human family.
The name “Moab” reminds us of the shameful
origins of this nation. The progenitor of the
Moabites was born in a cave up in the hills
above the ancient city of Zoar. He was the son
of Abraham’s nephew Lot, and his mother was
Lot’s firstborn daughter. The young woman
named the baby boy born from the incestuous
relationship “Moab.” In Hebrew, the name
sounds like the phrase “from father.”
Isaiah’s oracle or burden about Moab is
recorded in Isaiah 15 and 16. The Lord showed
Isaiah the complete destruction of the people
and land of Moab. Similar accounts of Moab’s
ruinous end are in the prophecies of Jeremiah,
Ezekiel, Amos and Zephaniah. In a single night,
the nation of Moab would be destroyed, from its
great cities to its smallest villages. The ground
would be parched, all vegetation erased from
the landscape. The remaining survivors would
flee with what possessions they could carry in
their arms, only to be met by lions as they fled.
It’s a sad story of devastation, death, and
despairing cries of grief and loss.
Isaiah’s great heart cried out for the ruined
Moabites. Even though these people had made
themselves enemies of Israel since the time of
Moses and the Exodus, he was sorry to see
them destroyed. Despite the fact that they led
Israel into gross immorality and idolatry before
the Israelites even reached Canaan, Isaiah
cried out for these people who were suffering
the terrible wrath of God. Their homes and cities
had been destroyed. Those who survived the
attack were fleeing for their lives. These people
were idolaters and enemies of God’s people.
But they were still people, and Isaiah mourned
for the sharp suffering of these fellow human
beings.
Isaiah had compassion for the people who were
suffering loss and ruin. He was different from
Jonah, who did not want to warn Nineveh of
their impending doom. Jonah was angry when
the Assyrians in Nineveh repented as a result of
his preaching. He was angry when God relented
on his threat to destroy Nineveh.
No, Isaiah was much more like Jesus, who had
compassion on sick, suffering and grieving
people. Jesus felt compassion for the people
who were like sheep without a shepherd
because the Jewish leaders had failed to teach
and lead them. Our Lord wept over Jerusalem,
even though it was the center of the Jews’
rejection and scorn against him. Isaiah had that
same tender heart toward these Moabites.
When I read Isaiah’s words, “My heart cries out
for Moab,” it reminded me of a passage in
Ezekiel. Israel ignored God’s pleas through the
prophets to repent of their sins and turn back to
God. As a result, God would turn his rebellious
covenant people over to enemies who would
destroy them. As God reasoned and pleaded
with the people through Ezekiel, he asked,
“Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have
no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares
the Lord God; so turn, and live.”
God gave Israel the law for their good. He
promised to bless them if they obeyed and
curse them if they disobeyed. When they turned
away from God and refused to turn back, they
got the consequences God warned them they
would get. But it did not please God to see his
people or any people die.
Let’s examine our own hearts as we ponder
these words. Are we sad to see any fellow
human being suffer? Even if they are suffering
as a consequence of their own choices and
actions, do we still feel pity for them? I want to
be more like Isaiah than Jonah. I want to have
the broken heart of God the Father and the
compassion of our Lord Jesus for suffering
people. I trust you do as well.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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