Tuesday on Isaiah on Thursday - Moab (huh?)

Boy am I behind. Not only do I have this post to complete, but yesterday's as well. I haven't done a Thursday or Friday post in a while. I definitely need to get on the ball and get posting, but for now I'm playing catch-up. It seems that the inertia of the holiday season is a bit hard to overcome, but here we go! Isaiah 15 and 16:

Sometimes when I'm reading along in the scriptures I come across a section or passage that makes me say, "What are you tawkin about!?" Either the sentences just aren't making sense or I have no context or ability to interpret the words in any meaningful way. Isaiah 15 is like that for me, for the most part. The general idea is that Moab will be destroyed and it will be pretty bad. Isaiah can't just say "Moab will be utterly destroyed and it's gonna be bad." He has to proclaim it in poetic Hebrew and outline every city, town and geographic entity that is affected.

Last week I wrote about interpreting ancient texts for today's world, but I'm having pulling anything but the literal out of the 15th chapter of Isaiah. Occasionally the scriptures are simply descriptive is my conclusion. In terms of prophecy, I suppose it is useful for us to look at the prophecy and determine whether it actually occurred or not, which adds validity and weight to the author. Other than that, I have very little to offer in the way of this chapter.

Chapter 16 proves somewhat more interesting, though there is still much that is confusing in this oracle. It appears to me that Isaiah is telling the Moabites to send lambs as tribute to Jerusalem. Further, there will be refugees and fugitives which will ask for asylum of Israel and though they were arrogant, the tone indicates that asylum should be granted.

A curious thing is inserted in the middle of this prophecy, promise and hope injected amid the destruction (v.4b-5):

The oppressor will come to an end,
and destruction will cease;
the aggressor will vanish from the land.

⁵ In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it—
one from the house of David—
one who in judging seeks justice
and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Here we have a Messianic prophecy right in the middle of a very bleak prophecy. This to me is an amazing thing - a mercy, grace and light of hope even while the darkness is upon them. The destruction and oppression is temporary and the perpetrator of violence will vanish. More than that, the destroyer will be replaced with a man of faithfulness, justice and righteousness.

This chapter really has a mixed message - the Moabites are both worthy of lament, but verse 6 says:

⁶ We have heard of Moab's pride—
her overweening pride and conceit,
her pride and her insolence—
but her boasts are empty.

Moab will face destruction and oppression, but it will come to an end. It reminds me of chemotherapy in some ways. Destruction must be wrought upon the body to make it better - it is agonizing, but the hope of recovery is worth celebrating.

I continue to be amazed at the writings of Isaiah. In the middle of a confusing barrage of names and places, metaphors and poetic devices comes a statement of clarity and hope amidst the rubble of destruction. For me, this is inspirational because I can return to the words and know that I believe in a God of hope, redemption, mercy and grace. Even in the midst of chaos and violence, God is able to point to a time of joy and peace. This message is repeated hundreds of years later on the cross - violence and destruction is overcome by resurrection and redemption. A message that echoes again and again to this day.