This is the word—since that time, &c.— This is the word which Jehovah spake concerning Moab long ago. Lowth. The prophet had described the future calamity of Moab; but, as the completion of the prophesies was often at a great distance, it happened that men neglected, or at least less regarded, those prophesies which they saw not fulfilled in their own time. That this might not happen in the present case, he adds, that this prophesy should be shortly fulfilled, nay, even within three years. In this passage, or epilogue to this remarkable prophesy, the prophet first informs us, that what he here denounces is not new, but had been long since revealed to him or to other prophets; Isaiah 16:13. See Amos 2:1. Secondly, That this prophesy should be fulfilled within three years; Isaiah 16:14. Years, as the years of an hireling, mean "a precise number of years," determined in the same manner as those of a person who hires himself for any settled time. See chap. Isaiah 21:16. Vitringa is of opinion, that this prophesy was delivered at the same time with that preceding; that is, in the year when Ahaz died, at which time the Israelites as well as the Jews stood much in need of the kindness of the Moabites; so that it had its completion in the third year of king Hezekiah, namely, from the death of his father, which was really the fourth year of his reign, when Salmanezer, coming against the Ephraimites, on a sudden attacked the Moabites, and plundered and destroyed their cities. See 2 Kings 18:9. Mystically, says Vitringa, the Moabites may here signify those false Christians, who, once ingrafted into the true church, have yet degenerated into empty superstition; and, instead of friends, become the veriest enemies to the true Israel of God.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, To prevent the threatened ruin, the prophet warns them what steps to take; to do justice, and shew mercy; and leaves them inexcusable if they reject the admonition.
1. He advises them to send their tribute, laid on them by David, which was paid in lambs and rams, from Sela, their capital, to the wilderness, the nearest road which led to Zion, to the ruler of the land, to Hezekiah, David's rightful successor; or, O ruler of the land, the king of Moab, whose duty it was to pay it, and that on the peril of his being ejected from his country; for it shall be, or, otherwise it shall be; if this justice be not done, then, as a wandering bird should they be driven from their houses to the borders of their country, and in consternation, uncertain whither to flee.
2. He counsels them to shew mercy to the outcasts of Israel, who, on the invasion of the Assyrians, should fly to hide themselves from their fury. They should protect and cherish them, as a thick shadow, from the scorching heat of persecution; conceal them from their enemies, and never betray them if pursued, but let them dwell in safety in their land till the tyranny was overpast, which should not last long; whether that of Salmanezer, who, after ravaging the country, returned; or that of Sennacherib, whose army was so quickly destroyed. Note; (1.) God's people are often persecuted and driven from their homes; but God is with them, and will find them a covert from the storm. (2.) They who are kind to God's outcasts shall find him abundantly recompensing the favour.
3. It would be their interest as well as duty thus to act. As God would establish the throne of Hezekiah, and long continue him in the tabernacle of David, executing righteous judgment, and readily administering justice to the needy, he would be enabled to return the kindness to Moab when her distresses should arrive. Note; We should study to oblige every man, as we know not what need we may have of his assistance before we die.
2nd, Because Moab haughtily rejected the prophetic counsel, his doom is near.
1. His sins were great and notorious; with haughtiness and pride he treated the poor refugees of Israel, and in wrath persecuted rather than protected them. But his lies, or his strength, shall not be so. He hath mischievous designs against Israel; but God will disappoint his wiles, or break his power, so that his wicked purposes shall not be brought to pass. Note; (1.) Pride in God's sight is most abominable. (2.) It is a mercy for God's people, that the power of their enemies is not proportioned to their malice.
2. The sorrows of Moab would be increased; their strongest fortresses levelled with the ground, and their fertile land wasted. The vine of Sibmah, which spreads her tendrils even unto Jazer, a city in Gilead, and to the Dead Sea, the borders of their country, now languishes, broken down by the lords of the heathen, the Assyrian army; and Heshbon's fruitful fields, no longer cheered with the songs of reapers, or the shouts of those who trod the wine-press, in mournful solitude and silence lie desolate and barren. The prophet, while he denounces the judgment, weeps for their ruin, and, like the trembling strings of the harp, his bowels yearn in compassion over them. Note; (1.) Sorrow and sin are twin-sisters. (2.) The miseries even of the wicked move a gracious heart to pity them.
3. All applications to their idol gods would be in vain: though they went from one high place to another, as Balak of old, till they wearied themselves with sacrifices, their miseries would not abate; and as fruitless would be their prayers before the shrine of Chemosh. The decree was gone forth, since that time, the date of the prophesy in the first year of Hezekiah, and was now irreversible. Note; (1.) When prayer is the extorted cry of suffering, and not the voice of repentant sorrow, no marvel it as rejected. (2.) There is a time when prayer comes too late to profit: it will be in vain to knock when the door is shut.
4. The day of execution is fixed for Moab's destruction, when their glory shall be despicable, their multitude of soldiers cut off, and the remnant weak and disabled to make head against their invaders. In three years, as the years of a hireling, who waits with earnestness the expiration of his contract, the people of God might expect the fulfilment of the prophesy. But now the Lord hath spoken concerning a near event, which was a warning to them, and a prelude to their final ruin.