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Isaiah 16:1 - 16:14
It's important to understand that these 'burdens' are directed especially at the leaders
of these nations who allow false worship and a 'falling away' from God, and secondly to
those who follow them. Each individual has a direct responsibility to our Father through
Christ, so not all peoples of these nations are guilty of false worship. There has always
been a 'remnant' provided by Jehovah which knows His Truth and worship Christ, in all
lands. They may be in very small numbers in some lands, more in others. We are not to
'generalize' whole peoples of a nation towards this guilt, as there are always those who
do not partake in false worship.
In this 16th Chapter of Isaiah, the subject of Moab's falling
away from God continues. Moab was Lot's son. And Lot was a nephew of Abraham. So which
people is this Message about? Part of God's people, from the family of Abraham. In as much
as Moab is part of Abraham's family kin, our Father Jehovah doesn't like it when His
people turn away from Him. The last Chapter revealed their act of 'falling away', as they
set up false idol worship on the 'high places'.
As God led Israel out of the wilderness through Moses, they came
upon Moab to pass through, and Moab called upon others against Israel to make them pass
around their borders. Balak called the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, but God turned it
into a blessing (Num.22-24). And if that wasn't enough, the daughters of Moab caused some
of the sons of Israel to go after Baalpeor in false worship (Num.25). Our Lord Christ even
rebuked this type of false worship in one of His Seven Churches at Pergamos (Rev.2).
This family feud stuff really makes our Father angry. So we are
to grasp His Message to Moab for our family ties as God's People also, as the false ones
love to turn brother against brother, and cousin against cousin, in war.
Continuing with this study, we ask a Word of Wisdom from our
Father in Christ's Name, Amen.
Isa 16:1 Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from
Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
The plot of Moab here was to send sacrificial sheep to Jerusalem, to try and appease them,
as king Mesha had done (II Kings 3:4). This word 'Sela' means 'the rock-city of
Idumaea', which is Petra (Strong's no. 5554). That was a region of big time
false worship.
Moab was in a sad state, having turned away from God. They are
His children, but they'd rather worship their false idols, and now... seeing that they
were in some kind of mess, they were going to call on Judah to help them in appeasement.
All they really needed to do was turn back to our Father in True worship, and get rid of
all that playing religion stuff with idols of wood, stone, and metal, which are no gods.
As we'll find out later in this Book of Isaiah, king Hezekiah, when he was sick,
immediately turned to our Father in prayer (Isa.38). That's what God wants us to do also,
calling on Him, not going everywhere else for help.
Isa
16:2 For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest,
so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
So
maybe we're given a hint here that their trying to use Judah to appease God wasn't going
to work? A baby bird falling out of its nest is pretty helpless, and so was Moab at this
point.
The 'fords of Arnon' was a border between Moab and their
brethren Amon. The word 'Arnon' means 'rushing stream' in the Hebrew (Strong's
no. 769). Certainly not the clear calm Waters of Life in Christ, but more in the sense of
rapids and a waterfall.
Isa
16:3 Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the
midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that
wandereth.
There's a deep meaning behind this 'shadow' analogy. They are saying to Judah, "let
us come and hide in your shadow, though we still remain in darkness. Give us protection
under your shadow, even though we follow the children of darkness, but you (Jerusalem) are
children of light." Judges 9 gives a little parable about the 'bramble bush', and
those who wish to hide under its shadow. The big problem is, a bramble, or thorn bush,
doesn't cast much of a shadow, so there's not much protection under it, and that 'bramble
bush' is a metaphor for Satan. God does not want us to act such as Moab here. Those in
Christ do not hide. Our 'candle' is clearly lit and upon the table, giving light to the
whole room (Matt.5:15-16).
So those false ones in Moab were fooling themselves,
trying to hide under any other covering than Jehovah. Even more, they admitted their
staying in 'darkness', which is the power of darkness, i.e. Satan, while trying to hide
under the protection of God's true followers.
This bramble bush analogy is similar to war when calling
in 'arty' (artillery) on the enemy directly in front of you, and... they move up close to
you, coming under your own cover. The enemy in that case doesn't stop fighting you or
surrender, they become more lethal with nothing to lose. So be careful beloved. The false
ones (Kenite) operate exactly in this way to work their iniquity. They'll get in your
cornflakes early in the morning', and you won't even know it until indigestion sets in at
noon.
You won't understand about the evil ones in this flesh
world if you listen to the sweet preaching philosophers out there, those who never get
around to actually teaching God's Word line by line. Those false teachers and prophets are
afraid to fully teach about the Kenite, and many other controversial subjects which are
written in God's Word. All those afraid to do so are still on the 'milk' and are easily
deceived. And without knowing about the 'sons of Cain', a direct physical offspring who
serve their father Satan, well, the truth may hurt, but those teachers don't have a clue
about what the 'strong meat' of Hebrews 5 is. They can't tell when a Kenite tries to take
over their Ministry, so how much better do you fair if you're amongst that group and also
in ignorance? Put on the whole Amour of God's Word (Eph.6).
Isa
16:4 Let Mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them
from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler
ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
This verse Isaiah is giving us here is prophetic, as much of this verse is even for today.
During this historical event by Moab, it means, "go ahead; let the outcasts dwell
with you, Moab; try to be a righteous 'cover' for them. Don't worry, surely the 'spoiler'
(Satan) is ended and there's no longer anything to worry about."
For our time today, it refers to a mixing with the
children of the 'spoiler' (Satan), which work amongst God's People in hiding. Many
Christian's eyes are blinded to the evils happening behind the scenes. Most can't figure
out where the evil is coming from, since they only see the symptoms and not the 'cause'.
Paul warned us in Ephesians 6 about evil working in high places, in secret. "Well
maybe if I just ignore it, it'll go away; I've got to tend to my flesh things. Those evils
have been in the world since old times anyway, so what else is new?" Not these evils
upon us today friend; you either approach it head on in Christ, drawing upon Him for your
Strength, or it'll crouch
upon you whether you like it or not. We are... in a spiritual
war like never before. The only other time it could be compared to during this flesh age,
is the time of Noah. That's exactly how our Lord and Savior said things
would be, just before His return (Matt.24; Luke 17). Our 'goal' in Christ today is to
remain 'standing' in Him, and not to the false messiah. Deception over your mind and heart
is the battleground. The wealth of nations is already given to the false one, so the real
battle today is not about geographical territory and WWIII. The U.N. already has control
over all of it, and "Who is like unto the beast? (U.N. World Government) Who
is able to make war with him?" (Rev.13:4). If all military power is joined into
one group, who's left to war against it? Don't let the Jerusalem events and threats of war
deceive you today. The Kenite already owns that territory of Jerusalem also, as can easily
be seen by who they are preparing the true 'house of Judah' to worship, i.e. the first
messiah who comes upon the scene, a false king, Satan himself (II Thess.2; Matt.24;
Rev.12; 13; 17; Dan.8 through 12).
The last part of this verse, 'the oppressors are
consumed out of the land', is concerning the time of God's final Kingdom setup on
earth. Those who follow Satan to the end, meaning even after Christ's thousand year reign
on earth, will be consumed in the 'lake of fire' as if they never had any existence
(Rev.20-22). They will have made their 'own' choice not to follow after Righteousness.
Isa
16:5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and He shall sit upon it in
truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting
righteousness.
This 'He' is Jesus Christ sitting upon that Throne, our KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
So we know this verse is strictly future, even to Isaiah's time. His Throne will be first
established on this ancient earth at His second coming, all kingdoms of this world
becoming His (Rev.11:15; 20). The false throne the Kenites are now setting up today, for
their father, i.e. their false king who tries to be Messiah, will be a false throne, and
not established in 'mercy', nor in righteous judgment. Though the Kenite believes it will
be, and there will be a perceived 'peace' and prosperity, it is destined to perish.
Moab is recognizing Judah in Jerusalem as being blessed by
our Father. They are wanting protection and favor by hiding under the shadow of Judah.
So did the Kenites wish to be protected under Judah's shadow at Jerusalem
also, and they moved to Jerusalem likewise (see Jer.35:11; I Chron.2:55; as the sons of
Rechab are of the Kenites). So Moab is just jumping into the same trap as the 'house of
Judah'.
Isa
16:6 We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even
of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be
so.
Moab's little plan to hide under Jerusalem's shadow will not work, as God is letting them
know with this verse. The 'lie' is not going to work.
This word 'pride' is ga'own in the Hebrew, and
formed from two root words, ga'ah and ga'avah. The meaning is an
arrogance of majestic proportions (Strong's nos. 1347; 1342; 1346). Another way to put it
could be, "You're suffering illusions of grandeur, Moab!" This attitude and
style of pride is specific, as one who acts 'above' reproach. God even used this Hebrew
meaning about His People in Amos 6 & 8 with the phrase 'excellency of Jacob',
but not in the positive sense, but in the rebellious sense.
Many today who battle against Christ, think they are above
His reproach, as some wish to tear down anything dealing with Christ and the idea of a
chosen People. This 'pride' likened to Moab is still with us. What easily leads to this
type of 'illusion' Moab was guilty of? Simply this; when we turn away from our True Father
Jehovah and His Son Jesus Christ, to follow after the world or ourselves, the Kenite (son
of Cain) will always be there to lead you astray in it. And you will not recognize it
because of rebellion against God, the very sin of Lucifer which caused this flesh age.
This is why understanding the 'key of David' and who the Kenites are, is paramount to
keeping the Pure worship that God intends for us through His Son. Those unaware of the
Kenite and the many examples of how they operate which God gives in His Word, won't
understand how their little Church was suddenly divided. Many of those who allow the
deception, do love our Father through Jesus Christ, but have little Knowledge to remain
standing in Him through His Son. They think The Holy Spirit will reveal all dangers
without study of God's Word. Understanding about Satan's workers of iniquity is part of
the foundational teaching of Christ (see the 'parable of the tares of the field'
in Matt.13; II Thess.2:7 concerning the 'mystery of iniquity').
Isa
16:7 Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the
foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
This Kirhareseth is a city in Moab, and means 'fortress of earthenware'
(Strong's no. 7025). Moab is leaving the hot pan and jumping into the fire with their
false plan of protection. They can cry (howl) all day long and it won't help a
bit.
Moab had God's blessings at first. They had an abundance
of wealth as shown by the many ancient artifacts and ruins left there. This is an example
of how the love of wealth can cause ruin, becoming a desolation, and lead to false
worship. One of the major gods the Moabites worshipped was Chemosh (see also Jer.48). Fausset's
Bible Dictionary states the following of Chemosh:
CHEMOSH
A black star, according to Jewish tradition, was his symbol, whether as identical with
Mars or Saturn. Jerome states that Dibon was his chief seat of worship. A black stone was
the Arab symbol of him. The inscribed black stone set up at Dibon, lately discovered, is
full of the Moabite king Mesha's praises of Chemosh as the giver of his martial successes
against Israel. See MOAB and DIBON. Derived from kabash, to vanquish. Idolatry
originated in appropriating to separate deities the attributes combined in the one true
God. "Ashtar Chemosh," mentioned on the Moabite stone, connects the Moabite and
the Phoenician worship. Ashtar is the masculine of Astarte, an androgynous god, combining
the active and passive powers of nature. Chemosh required human sacrifices as god of war;
Mesha, after taking Ataroth, offered all the warriors in sacrifice.
(from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998 by Biblesoft)
Isa
16:8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the
lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are
come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her
branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.
Isa
16:9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I
will water thee with My tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer
fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
The
word Heshbon means 'stronghold'; Sibmah means 'fragrance or spice', and
Jazer meaning 'helped' (Strongs nos. 2809; 7643; 3270). The word Elealeh
in verse 9 is El'ale in the Hebrew meaning 'God is going up, or ascending'
(Strong's no. 500).
Did you notice the phrase 'lords of the heathen'
above? Didn't they know that Jehovah gave the blessings of prosperity to begin with? Their
principal plants are dried up because of their 'lords of the heathen' gods they
worshipped. The word wandered is ta'ah in the Hebrew meaning 'to
stray' (Strong's no. 8582). They 'strayed' into darkness to the spoiler (Satan) (see
Jer.48:32). And that's why Jehovah is removing (going up) His Presence from among them.
Again, this Message to Moab is not for the time of Isaiah
only, and not solely to the Moabite peoples. We know this same false worship is still
happening today, even among Israel, God's chosen, as the future BABYLON HARLOT of Rev.17
has been forming up for quite a while now. As Moab's 'branches' were running over the
wall, and were not pruned to keep false worship out, her branches have 'gone over the
sea' to pagan idolatry. (Do some research on the U.N. sanctioned 'gaia'
earth goddess worship; could it be the future gathering false worship to include all
others?).
Even God's weeping tears for them will not be enough water
for their once bountiful harvest. All they had to do was be faithful to Jehovah and stay
in Him, keeping their branches good and pruned when the Kenites started creeping in. No,
they evidently moved the Kenite up to the top of their leader ladder! Then the false
worship of the Kenite no doubt, was 'pressed downward'.
How is it in the Western Christian Nations today folks?
Are there signs that this crept in type of Kenite leadership has happened in America also?
Look around if you really believe the lie that communism is dead and the cold war is over.
On the contrary, the 'big merge' of America with the socialist systems of the east is
nearing completion. Just because the outward symbols of world socialism are not on display
doesn't mean the inner workers have ceased their old goal of a one-world socialistic
government over all nations.
(Hint: The 'crept in unawares' began in The United States
long, long ago, even before you or I were born. Research the birth of our Federal Reserve
System, a 'private' banking institution. Might also try the 'Breton Woods' agreements; and
the 'Land-lease Act' which began right at WWII. And don't forget how our Congress and
Senate voted in 1945 and 1947 to hand over U.S. Constitutional power to declare war to the
United Nations. This is why U.S. involvement in all 'wars' after WWII have been called
U.N. Police Actions.)
Isa
16:10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field;
and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting:
the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made
their vintage shouting to cease.
This word gladness is simchah in the Hebrew, meaning 'blithesomeness
or glee, (religious or festival)' (Strong's no. 8057). Their plentiful 'Jubilee'
festival is gone; there is no more rejoicing festival in honor of our Father by them. New
gods, and new moon feasts replace Christ instead, much as the Ten Tribes polluted Pure
worship of our Father while in captivity to Assyria. It took The New Covenant Jesus Christ
to pull the Ten Tribes of Israel, i.e. the 'house of Israel', out of that mess of false
whorship. What will it take to overcome in our near future? A false messiah proclaiming to
be our True Messiah, or another gospel proclaiming 'peace, peace, peace'? This is why our
Father is revealing these Messages here in The Old Testament, to those who care enough
about Him to study His Word for themselves. It is to let us know 'to wait' for The True
Messiah Jesus Christ, as the 'another gospel' which is being proclaimed now by the false
king's (Satan) little workers will become much stronger as more deceived peoples fall into
it when false messiah (antichrist) appears on the scene. Oh how most people love to follow
the majority in popular things!
Isa
16:11 Wherefore My bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and Mine inward
parts for Kirharesh.
12 And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary
on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary
to pray; but he shall not prevail.
God
has removed Himself from them. Why in the world should He hear Moab's prayer, or anyone
else as they turn away from Him, to their 'own' sanctuary? Their 'fruit' they produce is
according to the Kenite's wishes and teachings; i.e. the Kenite's sanctuary of Satan's
children. No wonder their plentiful harvest is gone, because thorns is all the fruit you
get from false worship. "Well I don't know, I've got a mansion, millions of dollars,
control much of the world's resources....", the Kenite might say. Stick around; it's
all COMING DOWN TO THE DUST! You want to live after those things you can touch,
smell, taste, hear, and feel, and even worship the things you've made, thus denying
Jehovah through Christ? Just wait. You better enjoy those things achieved by ill-gotten
gains real good! For there is little time left before those false systems are thrown
down to the pit, to the dust. The BRIGHTNESS of Christ's coming will see to it!
Isa
16:13 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab
since that time.
14 But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, "Within three years, as
the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great
multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble."
This Message concerning Moab given by our Father through Isaiah began just after Chapter
14. I hope you haven't forgotten about Isaiah 14 and the 'Assyrian'. This desolation of
Moab 'within three years' time is confirmed in Travels in Syria by
Burckhardt. He states: "The ruins of Eleale, Heshbon, Meon, Medaba, Dibon, Arver,
all situated on the north side of the Arnon, still subsist to illustrate the history of
the Beni-Israel" ("Life and Travels," prefixed to the "Travel's in
Nubia," pp. 48,49). (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by
Biblesoft).
And as this prophecy evidently came to pass historically,
also remember what the Assyrian is a 'type' for our near future. This 'three years' time
should remind you of the tribulation of the false messiah, Satan as a false king upon the
earth, in person, sitting in the future flesh temple of Jerusalem. This Great Book of
Isaiah reveals that Cyrus, God's anointed, destroyed the false kingdom of the Assyrian
historically; so as a 'type' for our near future during the tribulation false kingdom of
the Assyrian (the antichrist), Who will be in Cyrus' historical role? Yeshu'a Messiah
Jesus Christ, God's Anointed Savior is He, Immanuel, 'God with us' is His Name. We covered
this link about the future role of Cyrus back in Isaiah Chapter 13, and God will have more
to say about him later in this Book of Isaiah.
Even though we're not even half-way through the Book of Isaiah, we already have much proof
from God's Word, that a future false messiah who would be king, is coming before our
Savior Jesus Christ returns. The counting of the Seven Trumpets of Revelation as compared
with Paul's Message of the 'last trump' of I Cor.15 also verifies this Truth here in
Isaiah about the order of events prior to Christ's return, as even our Lord so teaches in
His Gospel (see Seven Signs study). In other words, GOD really
'stretched' out this Message of the sequence of events to happen concerning our time
today. Once the idea that God gave us a blueprint through His prophets is understood for
our time, then how could one not truly understand Christ's return? Only through lack of
serious study of God's Word in The Old Testament can one be ignorant of these Truths. If
you've been studying along with me, you are not ignorant of Christ's return.
I have
always been one to look for the 'cause' of things, and not to be overly horns waggled
into
the awe of the 'effect'. Searching for the 'cause' of matters usually leads to a search
back into history, not forward. I hope and pray that you also will pause and ponder the
'cause', and come to know the 'tracing sheet' which is so perfectly laid over the top of
this Great Book of Isaiah which reveals the future, and Christ's return.
Peace be unto you in
Christ Jesus,
Dave Ramey.
Footnotes:
All references to
"Strong's nos." are from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, PC Study
Bible, Biblesoft, 1993-1996.
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