INTRODUCTION

In the “burden” of Babel, Isaiah sketched the big picture of political history. In the burdens concerning Philistia and Moab, he prophesies that Yahweh will be faithful to His promise to David and will make Zion a refuge, not only for Israel but for the Gentiles.

THE TEXT

This is the burden which came in the year that King Ahaz died. Do not rejoice, all you of Philistia, because the rod that struck you is broken; for out of the serpent’s roots will come forth a viper, and its offspring will be a fiery flying serpent . . . .” (Isaiah 14:28-16:14).

ROD AND SERPENT

Isaiah’s call occurred in the year King Uzziah died (Isaiah 6:1), and the burden of Philistia comes in the year Ahaz has died (14:28). Both passages mention fiery flying things. By depending on an alliance with Assyria, Ahaz had neutered the Davidic dynasty. Long before, David had struck the Philistines, but now the rod of David is broken (v. 29). The Philistines think Judah poses no threat to them, but they forget that Yahweh can turn rods to serpents (v. 29; cf. Exodus 7:8-13). Under Hezekiah, David will revive like a viper and will bite the Philistines (cf. 2 Kings 18:8). Philistia shouldn’t depend on Judah’s weakness. Though David gets pummeled by and compromises with the Assyrians, Yahweh is faithful to David and will make Zion a refuge (Isaiah 14:32).

BROTHER MOAB

Moab is a Gentile nation, but like Edom Moab is a Gentile brother to Israel. The Moabites descend from Lot (cf. Genesis 19:30-38), and Israel was not to harass Moab when they came from Egypt (Deuteronomy 2:9). Because the Moabites refused bread and water to Israel, they were not allowed to join Israel for ten generations (Deuteronomy 23:3-4), but eventually Moabites were incorporated as a tributary to Israel (e.g., Ruth; cf. 2 Samuel 8:1-2; 1 Chronicles 18:2; 2 Kings 3:4). Moab is between Israel and the nations, and this accounts for the prominence that they take in the prophets and the reaction that Yahweh has to Moab’s troubles.

MOURNING FOR MOAB

Isaiah 15 is a “burden” for Moab that is largely a lament. The cities of Moab are ruined in a single night (v. 1), and all across Moab the cities are filling with mourning (vv. 3-4). Moab is a mini-Babel, punished for his pride, expressed in boastfulness and violent conquest (16:6). One voice stands above the rest (15:5; 16:9-12). In chapter 15, this additional chief mourner might be Isaiah himself. That is a remarkable fact in itself: An Israelite prophet mourning for the destruction of a Gentile nation. In chapter 16, it’s clear that the mourner is Yahweh Himself. The mourner is the same one who “made the shouting to cease” (16:11). Yahweh weeps bitterly, drenches Moab with tears, His heart moans like a harp and His inner being longs for Moab (16:9-11). Like Jesus mourning over the Jerusalem that He will destroy, Yahweh mourns for Moab.

REFUGE

At the center of the passage, however, is hope for Moab. In the burden to Philistia, Isaiah assures the Philistines that the Davidic dynasty is not as impotent as it looks. Zion will rise again, and a righteous David will sit on the throne. That’s bad news for Philistia, but it’s good news for Moab. Zion rises not only as a refuge for Israel, but as an asylum also for Gentiles who bring their tribute lambs to Yahweh in His house (16:1-5).