Territorial Pain, C. R. Oliver [most read books of all time TXT] 📗

Lord alone is able to warrant these words. He reminds Philistia that in His eyes, "They are toast." He has determined "appointed times" for each of them. 

Nations would do well to realize their corporate mortality. What is God decreeing over your country? Throughout this chapter, He re-iterates His love for His people and reminds them that though they may be surrounded by their enemies and sometimes invaded by the enemy, they are still HIS CHOSEN. 

Chapter 15 "Geographic Exactness"

Isaiah 15:7-8
Therefore the abundance they have gained,
And what they have laid up,
They will carry away to the Brook of the Willows.
For the cry has gone all around the borders of Moab,
Its wailing to Eglaim
And its wailing to Beer Elim.

If one will dare examine a map of the area occupied by Moab, it will become plain the prophet is calling the roll of cities and places destined for destruction. Moab, comprised of the descendants of Lot's incestuous relationship, (and the Edomites) are targeted by God for punishment and not without reason. 

In preparation for the prophetic word of Chapter 16, this chapter clinches the fist of God around the throat of Moab and incorporates everyplace and everything they treasure. 

(As one reads the list of places, try and spot them on the maps below and realize that some of the places mentioned have faded away and are not ascertainable due to many factors, including God's judgment.) 

 
Isaiah is geographically correct and shows his knowledge base is specific and irrefutable.

 

Isaiah 15:1
Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste And destroyed, Because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste And destroyed, When judgment begins to be realized in homes and villages, there is much weeping. There is weeping in the idolatrous Temples, weeping among the citizenry in the streets and even weeping among the military personnel. So much weeping is heard that it affected the heart of the prophet, and he weeps for their plight.

 

(Oh, that modern prophets might be found weeping.)

 

Isaiah 15:3
In their streets they will clothe themselves with sackcloth; On the tops of their houses 
And in their streets, Everyone will wail, weeping bitterly

Isaiah 15:5
'My heart will cry out for Moab;' Like a volcanic inferno engulfing first one city then another, the fury of the Lord covered the land of Moab.

 

Isaiah 15:7-9
Therefore the abundance they have gained, And what they have laid up, They will carry away to the Brook of the Willows. For the cry has gone all around the borders of Moab, Its wailing to Eglaim And its wailing to Beer Elim. For the waters of Dimon will be full of blood;

 

The intricate details concerning every town and village flowed in front of Isaiah with graphic accuracy. The panorama moved him. Nonetheless, his office required his voice to be heard and, perchance, heeded! 

From this chapter, Isaiah launched into Chapter 16. He is a credible witness and Israel must hear! 

Chapter 16 Moab is punished and Sanity Returns

Isaiah 16:5
In mercy the throne will be established;
And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David,
Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.

A hundred years before Isaiah's time, Obadiah prophesied the demise of Edom (descendants of Esau). At that time the capitol at Petra was a prosperous city in the mountain pass. They habitually harassed Israel, charged the people of God exorbitant fees for supplies and tattled their whereabouts to surrounding armies and enemies. Now, the tables are about to turn and Isaiah weeps for what he sees. Isaiah rightfully prophecies that within three years their time will be up and all protection from God will be "hands off." 

Isaiah urges them to make two basic changes: first, to start back paying tribute to Israel and second, offer the Jews protection while in their territories. Isaiah knew their pride and arrogance would not allow them to take the offer, but God offered it nonetheless. "He is good and His mercy endures forever."

 

Isaiah 16:1
Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,
From Sela to the wilderness,
To the mount of the daughter of Zion.

 

Sheep were the common animal used for tribute in ancient times. Isaiah is telling the Moabites, you need Judah's protection against the Assyrians, but you are not aware of it. Send tribute from all sections of your country. Send lambs from the farther outposts of the kingdom, as well as, points near to them. Give abundantly to Israel in order to garner their favor and show your servitude to them. 

At this junction, Isaiah contrasts the Daughter of Zion vs. the Daughter of Moab. (Daughters refer to the entire people of a land.)

 

Isaiah 16:1-2
To the mount of the daughter of Zion. For it shall be as a wandering bird thrown out of the nest; So shall be the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

 

The prophet counsels Moab to "shadow and hide the outcasts." Stop betraying the persecuted ones. "Be a shelter to them who run from the 'spoiler.'" 

Isaiah gives some ultimatums to Moab if they are to be spared: "Extortion has come to an end! Devastation must cease! Oppression must be run out of the land!" 

Looking into the future, he counsels Israel to know their kind will cease unless they change. One is coming to the throne of David who will see to it. He will rule in justice and righteousness and none of the former ways will be able to continue. Get right with God NOW! 

The whole world knew bad things about Moab. Their reputation for pride, arrogance and their lying lips preceded them. Because of their rancor, their land will suffer if they turn this final offer down. 

Knowing that the Assyrians will conquer and take away the Northern Kingdom, Isaiah prophesies that within three years, the Assyrians will come for Moab. He sees "The Lords of the nations," breaking them down. In verse ten, he counts their awesome fate. He begins to weep with tears flowing down his cheeks as he counts what will happen if they fail to repent (v. 9). Again, in verse eleven, his emotions overcome him and Isaiah becomes what is lacking in modern prophets. Identifying with his subjects, his frame quakes as tears roll down and he retches from the inner depth of his being (because of what he sees). 

He says the day will come when all hope will have vanished and they will run to their idolatrous temple and cry out for deliverance, but there will be no help. 

Solemnly, Isaiah rises to the heights of power and declares his message is an Oracle of God.

 

Isaiah 16:14
But now the LORD has spoken, saying, "Within three years, as the years of a hired man, the glory of Moab will be despised with all that great multitude, and the remnant will be very small and feeble."

 

"The years of a hired man" are determined by legal document (outlining in advance, the extent of his labors, his starting date, his tenure and the date of release). Yep, the prophet did what few do today, he gives times and limits according to God's calendar. 

There are time limits with God. His world is not a disorganized mess breaking loose here and there. Its times and seasons are determined and whether or not the nations hear the cry of the prophet of God or the siren sounds of satan is up to them. Their destiny depends on the road they take. 

From Petra, two roads were dominant: a road to Damascus and a road to Jerusalem. Perhaps the choice of roads is what caused the Lord to focus on Syria in the next chapter. 

"The Road to Nowhere" will be the subject of the next study book. 

Imprint

Publication Date: 08-02-2014

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Thanks to C. R. Oliver and Zadok Publications newsletter division for allowing Gospel Outreach Association to use his newsletter for this study book.