isaiah ch. 15 - 18 - history and prophecy for moab

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The Book of ISAIAH Chapters 15 - 18 Chapter 15- “JUDGMENT ON MOAB” (v1-9) This chapter deals with the demise of Moab, which teaches Israel not to depend on that nation, but to depend on the Lord. > The History of MOAB - [MOE abb] (perhaps of my father) - Moab the name of a man and a nation in the Old Testament. There was a son of Lot by an incestuous union with his older daughter (Gen 19:37). Moab became an ancestor of the MOABITES. Moab was a neighboring nation whose history was closely linked to the fortunes of the Hebrew people. Moab was situated along the eastern border of the Dead Sea, on the plateau between the Dead Sea and the Arabian desert. It was about 35 miles long and 25 miles wide. Although it was primarily a high plateau, Moab also had mountainous areas and deep gorges. It was a fertile area for crops and herds. To the south and west of Moab was the nation of Edom; to the north was Ammon. After the Israelites invaded the land, the tribe of Reuben displaced the Moabites from the northern part of their territory and the tribe of Gad pushed the Ammonites eastward into the desert. The KING'S HIGHWAY, a major trade route from Syria to the Gulf of Aqabah, brought wealth and culture to Moab as early as 2500 B.C. Some time during the 15th century B.C., as the nomadic population settled down, the kingdom of Moab arose, along with the other kingdoms east of the Jordan River, such as Edom and Ammon. The Moabites built fortifications throughout their territory, especially on the south and east. Not long before the conquest of the region by the Hebrew people, Sihon, king of the Amorites, invaded Moab from the north and added much of Moab to his kingdom (Num 21:27-30). During most of Israel's history, the Moabites were Israel's enemies. In the late eighth century B.C. Moab became subject to Assyria, like many other nations in the region. When the Assyrian Empire fell in 609 B.C., Arab invasions intensified, and the kingdom of Moab was taken. Thereafter Moab was occupied increasingly by nomadic Arabs, until the NABATAEANS established a settled culture from the first century B.C. to A.D. 106. After that, the entire region was made into a Roman province. Connections with Israel - Although the Moabites were of mixed ethnic stock, the influence of Moab's descendants among them was great enough to give the country its ancient name. The story in Gen 14 of the raid of Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and his fellow kings records the conquest of most of Moab about 2000 B.C.-1900 B.C. Sihon's Amorite kingdom annexed much of Moab shortly before the Israelite conquest of Canaan (Num 21:17-29). After the Israelites defeated Sihon, Balak, the king of the relatively weak Moabites, joined with the Midianites in hiring the prophet-magician Balaam to curse Israel so the Israelites could be defeated (Num 22:1-20). Balaam's mission failed, but when the Israelites camped in Moab just before crossing the Jordan River, the women of Moab enticed the Israelites into a form of idolatry that involved ritual sexual immorality. This resulted in God's judgment against Israel (Num 25:1-9). (Nelson's Bible Dictionary) - One final insight on MOAB and MOSES - In the Plains of Moab, opposite Jericho (Num 22:1; 26:63; Josh 13:32), the children of Israel had their last encampment before they entered the land of Canaan. It was at that time in the possession of the Amorites (Num 21:22). "Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah," and "died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord" (Deut 34:5,6). "Surely if we had nothing else to interest us in the land of Moab, the fact that it was from the top of Pisgah, its noblest height, this mightiest of the prophets looked out with eye undimmed upon the Promised Land; that it was here on Nebo, its loftiest mountain, that he died his solitary death; that it was here, in the valley over against Beth-peor, he found his mysterious sepulchre, we have enough to enshrine the memory in our hearts." (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

Chapter 16 - “MOAB’S FUTURE WORK & NEAR JUDGMENT” (v1-5) Refuge for Israel’s last days Remnant (v6-14) Moab’s continued judgment

Chapter 17- “JUDGMENT ON DAMASCUS & ISRAEL (v1-3) Judgment on Syria > History of Damascus - The founder of Damascus was Uz, grandson of Shem (Gen 5:32; 6:10; 10:23). The Bible first mentions the city when Abraham traveled from Ur to Canaan, passing through Damascus on the way (Gen 11:31; 12:4). Eliezer, Abraham's faithful servant, was from Damascus (Gen 15:2). Early Egyptian texts refer to Egypt's control over Damascus, but this influence did not last long. The establishment of Syria (Aram) as a powerful state with Damascus as its capital (1 Kings 11:23-25) took place shortly after David's rule over the United Kingdom of the Hebrew people. David defeated the Syrians and stationed his own troops in Damascus (2 Sam 8:56; 1 Chron 18:5-6). During Solomon's reign, however, God allowed Rezon, Solomon's enemy, to take Syria from Israel's control because of Solomon's sins. Rezon founded a powerful dynasty based in Damascus that lasted more than 200 years. Shortly after Solomon's death, the king of Damascus formed a powerful league with other Aramean states. This alliance resulted in many years of conflict between Israel and Damascus. First, BenHadad of Damascus defeated King Baasha of Israel (1 Kings 15:16-20; 2 Chron 16:1-4). Later, God miraculously delivered King Ahab of Israel and his small army from the superior Syrian forces (1 Kings 20:1-30). Even after this miraculous deliverance, Ahab made a covenant with Ben-Hadad II against God's will (1 Kings 20:31-43). Ahab was killed a few years later in a battle with Syria (1 Kings 22:29-38). In the midst of these wars, the prophet Elijah was instructed by God to anoint Hazael as the new king of Damascus (1 Kings 19:15). King Joram of Israel successfully opposed Hazael for a time (2 Kings 13:4-5), but the situation was eventually reversed. Hazael severely oppressed both Israel and Judah during later years (2 Kings 13:3,22). Much later, God sent Rezon II, king of Syria, and Pekah, king of Israel, against wicked King Ahaz of Judah (2 Kings 16:1-6). Ahaz called on the Assyrians, who had become a powerful military force, for help (2 Kings 16:7). The Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser responded by conquering Syria, overthrowing the Aramean dynasty, killing Rezon II, and destroying Damascus, just as the prophets Amos and Isaiah had prophesied (Isa 17:1; Amos 1:4-5). This marked the end of Syria as an independent nation. The city of Damascus was also reduced to a fraction of its former glory. The exact date of the reconstruction of Damascus is unknown, but such an excellent location could not long remain weak and insignificant. Damascus was the residence of Assyrian and Persian governors for five centuries after its conquest by Tiglath-Pileser. Still later, the city was conquered by Alexander the Great, who made it a provincial capital. In 64 B.C. the Romans invaded Syria, making it a province with Damascus as the seat of government. - All references to Damascus in the New Testament are associated with the apostle Paul's conversion and ministry. During this time, the city was part of the kingdom of Aretas (2 Cor 11:32), an Arabian prince who held his kingdom under the Romans. The New Testament reports that Paul was converted while traveling to Damascus to persecute early Christians who lived in the city (Acts 9:1-8). After his dramatic conversion, Paul went to the house of Judas, where God sent Ananias, a Christian who lived in Damascus, to heal Paul of his blindness (Acts 9:10-22). Paul preached boldly in the Jewish synagogues in Damascus, but eventually he was forced to flee the city because of the wrath of those to whom he preached. The governor of Damascus tried to capture Paul, but the apostle escaped in a large basket through an opening in the city wall (Acts 9:25; 2 Cor 11:32-33). Little physical change has taken place in the city of Damascus since biblical times. The long streets are filled with open-air markets that sell the same type of ancient wares. But modern Damascus does show the strong influence of Muslim culture. The most important building in Damascus is the Great Mosque, a Moslem shrine built during the eighth century A.D. on the site of a former Christian church. (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

(v4-6) Judgment on Israel (v7-14) Idolatry-Apostasy-Judgment (2 Thessalonians ch. 2) Chapter 18 – “ETHIOPIA & EGYPT” (v1-2) Ethiopia to Egypt > History of ETHIOPIA - (burnt face) - the ancient African nation south of Egypt, including the Egyptian territory south of Aswan (Syene; Ezek 29:10), sometimes called Nubia or Cush. Ethiopia was known for its rivers, the Blue Nile and the White Nile (Isa 18:1), its papyrus boats (Isa 18:2), and its precious topaz gems (Job 28:19). The early genealogies of the Bible identify Ham as the father of Cush (Ethiopia; Gen 10:6; 1 Chron 1:8-10), as well as of Mizraim (Egypt). These two nations were closely connected throughout their histories, and the biblical writers often mention the two together (Isa 20:3-5; Ezek 30:4-5). Moses, who lived in Egypt for many years, married an Ethiopian woman from among the children of Israel (Num 12:1). Early Egyptian texts indicate that Ethiopia was controlled by Egypt until after the time of David (1000 B.C.). The Ethiopians frequently served as

hired soldiers in the Egyptian army (2 Chron 12:3). They were known for their black skin (Jer 13:23), their tallness and smooth skin (Isa 18:2), and their fierceness in battle (Jer 46:9). A Cushite soldier served as a runner in David's army and brought him the news of Absalom's death (2 Sam 18:21-32). Just after the time of Solomon, Zerah, an Ethiopian commander of a million soldiers and three hundred chariots, attacked the weaker forces of Asa, king of Judah. Asa, a righteous king, prayed to God for deliverance; and the forces of the Ethiopians were turned back (2 Chron 14:9-13). The Ethiopians attained their greatest strength during the time of Hezekiah (700 B.C.). This was possible because of internal disunity within Egypt. Egypt was defeated, and an Ethiopian dynasty ruled Egypt for 60 years. During this period, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, attacked Hezekiah in Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:13; 2 Chron 32:1-2; Isa 36:1). The Assyrian commander discouraged any hope that the Egyptians (now ruled by an Ethiopian king) would come to the aid of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:21; Isa 36:6). But Tirhakah, king of Ethiopia and Egypt, did attack the Assyrian forces (2 Kings 19:9; Isa 37:9). Although the Ethiopians were defeated God delivered Hezekiah by sending an angel to kill 185,000 of the Assyrian troops (Isa 37:36). Ethiopia was the strength of Egypt for this short time (Nah 3:9), but an invasion by the Assyrian kings Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal meant the end of Ethiopian power (Isa 20:2-6). An attack by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was predicted by the prophets Ezekiel (30:4-10) and Jeremiah (46:9-10,13-14). The prophet Isaiah also foretold the Persian conquest of Ethiopia (Est 1:1; 8:9; Isa 43:3). In the midst of these judgments, there were promises of a return of God's people from Ethiopia (Isa 11:11). God was also concerned about the Ethiopians (Amos 9:7), for they would be included among those who came to Jerusalem to worship the true God (Ps 68:31; Isa 45:14). The New Testament records a partial fulfillment of these promises when an ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH who served Candace, the queen of Ethiopia, was converted to Christianity (Acts 8:26-40). (from Nelson's Bible Dictionary)

(v3) Possible recovery of the Ark of the Covenant (v4-6) A time of judgment – last days! (v7) The present brought to Jerusalem