Isa 16.1-4 is a continuation of the prophecy against Moab, but it is also prophetic of the birth-pains when Israel will flee into the wilderness of Moab (now Jordan area) to hide from the False Messiah (Isa 42.10-11; Hos 2.14-23; Mic 2.12-13; Dan 11.41; Matt 24.16; Rev 12. This “wilderness” in v 1 also includes Petra, or “Cela” here-Jer 48.28).
v 1…Send the lamb to the ruler of the land (the Moabites are told to submit to the king of Jerusalem. Sending the tribute lamb is a sign asking favor and submission to Judah) from Cela (Petra-Isa 42.11, 63.1-6; Rev 12.6-17) by way of the wilderness (of Judea) to the mountain of the daughter of Zion (Jerusalem-eschatologically, the lamb is the Messiah and the Jews will flee to this area after the False Messiah reveals himself at the half-way point of the birth-pains, or Nisan 10).
v 2…Then, like fleeing birds or scattered nestlings (suddenly turned out), the daughter of Moab will be at the fords of the Arnon (at their boundary-they will be in groups looking for help).
v 3…Give us advice, make a decision (judgment); cast your shadow (of protection) like night at high noon (very dark and safe for them); hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive (it is your duty according to the laws of humanity to help).
v 4…Let my outcasts (Judah) stay with you (show kindness to the fleeing Jews); be a hiding place to them from the destroyer (the Assyrians, and later the False Messiah), for the executioner has come to an end (perished-2 Kings 19.35; Ezek 38.22-39.5; Num 24.24), and destruction ceased, oppressors have completely disappeared from the land (Assyria was consumed and destroyed in one night).
v 5…A throne will even be established in lovingkindness (the throne of Hezekiah, who is a picture of the Messiah), and a judge will sit on it in faithfulness in the tent (“tent” of a shepherd, or palace, house in Jerusalem-Amos 9.11); moreover, he will seek justice and be prompt in righteousness (he will not delay justice).
v 6…We (Isaiah, Israel) have heard of the pride of Moab (and do not expect them to listen); even of his arrogance, pride, and fury; his idle boasts are false (his empty, foolish imaginations and crafty counsels, especially against Israel).
7…Therefore Moab shall wail (about its ruin); everyone of Moab shall wail (to or for another). You shall moan for the foundations of Kir-Hareseth (their strongest fort) as those who are utterly stricken (broken).
v 8…For the fields of Heshbon have withered, and the vines of Sibmah (through drought, war and destruction); the lords of the nations (Assyria) have trampled down its choice clusters which reached as far as Jazer (“let him help”) and wandered to the deserts; its tendrils spread themselves out and passed over the sea (Dead Sea in Jer 48.32).
v 9…Therefore I shall weep bitterly for Jazer, for the vine of Sibmah, I will drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh; for the shouting (of joy) over your summer fruits and your harvest has fallen away (stopped).
v 10…And gladness and joy are taken away from the fruitful field; in the vineyards also there will be no cries of joy or jubilant shouting (as when the harvest was taken in during a time of peace), no treader treads out wine in the presses, I have made the shouting to cease (the enemy and their destruction has ended all that).
v 11…Therefore my heart (Hebrew “me’ah” or “bowels”) intones (laments) like a harp for Moab, my inwards feelings for Kir-Hareseth.
v 12…So it will come about when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself upon his high place, and comes to his sanctuary to pray (to his false gods), that he will not prevail (his prayers having no effect, without success).
v 13…This is the word which Yehovah spoke earlier concerning Moab (about the judgment coming),
v 14…But now Yehovah speaks saying, “Within three years, as a hired man would count them (being very precise and exact), the glory of Moab will be degraded along with all his great population, and his remnant will be very small and impotent (this is the third year of Hezekiah from the death of Ahaz. This alludes to three years into the birth-pains, as in Isa 20.3 and 37.30, when Gig and Magog/Russia attacks Israel. Russia will betray those she is in alliance with, and a remnant will believe in Yeshua-Isa 42.10; Ezek 39.22).
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