The sixteenth chapter of Isaiah continues the oracle against Moab but introduces a new thought.

We have already seen in Isaiah 15:5 how the prophet weeps for Moab—very different from the way in which the religious leaders in later years treated such foreigners. Here in Isaiah 16:1-5 the prophet takes mercy and love for Moab to a new level. This is a messianic prophecy about Moab ultimately finding refuge in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 16:1 begins,

¹ Send the tribute lamb [kar] to the ruler of the land, from Sela [i.e., Petra] by way of the wilderness to the mountain of the daughter of Zion.

This pictures the Moabites sending a tribute lamb to the ruler of Judah “in the mountain of the daughter of Zion.” In this case the Ruler is the Messiah, who is called “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). In other words, the Moabites not only recognize and submit to the Messiah but also present the Lamb of God. Sela means “the rock,” later known by the Greek name Petra, having the same meaning. It was a fortress and refuge.

Sela was the chief fortress of Edom, so it appears that the prophet was suggesting that the Moabites were to take refuge first among the Edomites and only later would they recognize the God of Israel as their “refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1). Isaiah 16:2 continues,

² Then, like fleeing birds or scattered nestlings, the daughters of Moab will be at the fords of the Arnon.

This pictures the Moabite “daughters” fleeing from the destroying armies of Sennacherib as refugees at the fords of the Arnon River. They are “fleeing birds” and “scattered nestlings,” young birds being cast out of their nests (homes).

Make a Decision

When nations are attacked and destroyed, neighboring nations must decide what to do about the refugees. Should they welcome them in love or hand them over to the invading armies? So Isaiah 16:3, 4 says,

³ Give us advice, make a decision [peliylah, “judge or umpire,” i.e., “perform an arbitrator’s duty”]; cast your shadow like night at high noon; hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive. ⁴ Let the outcasts of Moab stay with you; be a hiding place to them from the destroyer. For the extortioner has come to an end, destruction has ceased. Oppressors have completely disappeared from the land [of Moab].

The King of Judah in Zion was called upon to make a decision as to his treatment of the Moabite refugees. His decision was to help them in their time of need. He was to cast his shadow like night at high noon. This was an idiom. A large shadow referred to one’s great influence. In fact, the King’s influence was so great that it was pictured as a “shadow like night at high noon.” His influence would cover the whole earth, giving refuge to all.

This actually occurred when Jesus was put on the cross, for then darkness covered the earth for three hours. Luke 23:44 says,

⁴⁴ It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour.

Isaiah tells us that the purpose of this darkness, or shadow, was to show that the purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross was to give refuge to the whole earth. Paul says that “He is the Savior of all men” (1 Tim. 4:10). 1 John 2:2 says,

² And He Himself is the propitiation [expiation] for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

This includes the Moabites specifically, Isaiah tells us. The Messiah’s decision is to spread His robe to cover the whole earth, so that all might find refuge under His wings. Therefore, when these Moabites have been brought to judgment, be ready to help the refugees who seek help from the Messiah. “Let the outcasts of Moab stay with you” (Isaiah 16:4), because foreigners are welcome in God’s “house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7).

It is clear that the purpose of divine judgment is not to destroy the entire nation but to convert the people and to correct them through discipline. That correction is seen again in verse 4, “the extortioner has come to an end… oppressors have completely disappeared from the land.”

It is worth mentioning that the extortioners and oppressors had been oppressing the Moabites, but God’s judgment will set the people free to worship the Messiah.

True Justice and Righteousness

Isaiah 16:5 brings this to a climax,

⁵ A throne will even be established in lovingkindness [checed, “mercy, kindness, goodness”], and a Judge will sit on it in faithfulness [emeth, “faithfulness, truth”] in the tent of David; moreover, He will seek justice and be prompt in righteousness.

This confirms the fact that this is a messianic prophecy. Christ’s throne will be “established in lovingkindness,” not in cruelty or oppression. The Judge who sits upon that throne “in faithfulness in the tent of David” will “seek justice and be prompt in righteousness.” He will not rule by lies and deceit but by truth and righteousness.

Such is the “justice” of His throne, for it is based upon His righteous law, not the laws of men which are often unjust and unequal.

As we noted earlier from Isaiah 9:7,

⁷ There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

When true justice is established, the nations will “be glad and sing for joy” (Psalm 67:4). Isaiah tells us that the Moabites will be among that choir.