The harden of Moab
The Moabite stone
From the inscription of Mesha (c. 900 B.C.), found at Dibon in 1869, and commonly known as the “Moabite stone,” we learn that the Moabites spoke a language differing only dialectically from Hebrew; and it is probable also that, in matters of material prosperity and civilisation, Moab stood hardly upon an inferior level to Israel itself. (Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)
The prophet’s pity for Moab
There is no prophecy in the Book of Isaiah in which the heart of the prophet is so painfully moved by what his spirit beholds and his mouth must prophesy. All that he prophesies is felt as deeply by him as if he belonged to the poor people whose messenger of misfortune he is compelled to be. (F. Delitzsch.)
In the night
Ar and Kir of Moab
The seizing of them laid the whole country open, and made all the wealth of it an easy prey to the victorious army.
1. Great changes, and very dismal ones, may be made in a very little time. Here are two cities lost in a night, though that is the time of quietness. Let us, therefore, lie down as those who know not what a night may bring forth.
2. As the country feeds the cities, so the cities protect the country, and neither can say to the other, “I have no need of thee.” (M. Henry.)
God works in the night time
1. Man has but a little day to work in, but God’s working hours never cease; man becomes weary with his day’s work, and lies down to rest, and whilst he is in slumber destruction swiftly overtakes him, so that the morning looks upon a branch cut off, a city laid to waste and brought to silence.
2. Men should diligently consider this in musing upon the judgments of providence. They cannot always be awake; they cannot always be upon the walls defending the fortress; they must retire for a time to renew their strength, and whilst they are resting the enemy acquires additional power, and comes down upon their boasted masonry, and hurls it to the dust.
3. Only the Christian man has confidence in the night time. He says, He that keepeth me will not slumber nor sleep.
4. God is against evil-workers, and it delights Him to trouble them by nightly visits, so that in the morning they cannot recall their own plans and purposes, or give an account of that which has happened whilst their eyes have been closed in sleep.
5. Have we any safety in the darkness? Have we made no provision for the night time? If not, then woe will fall upon us, and when the morning comes it will rise upon a scene of desolation. Remember what God said to the fool in the parable who was counting his riches, and forecasting the happy years which his soul was to enjoy--“Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee.”
6. Ponder deeply upon the moral of night; the darkness should instruct us, remind us of our exhaustion, helplessness, and dependence upon others for security and rest, and should, above all things, lead us to put our confidence in Him to whom the darkness and the light are both alike. (J. Parker, D. D.)