Isa. 16 The Moabites exhorted to entertain kindly the banished Jews, Isa. 16:1–5. They are threatened for their pride and arrogance, Isa. 16:6–8. The prophet bewaileth them, Isa. 16:9–11. Their judgment, Isa. 16:12–14.

The prophet continues his prophecy against Moab in this chapter, and here turneth his speech to them, and gives them counsel what to do, to prevent, if possible, the threatened desolation. In these first words he adviseth them to the practice either, 1.

For; or, otherwise, as this particle is sometimes used; if you do not follow my advice. As a wandering bird cast out of the nest; which knows not whither to go, nor what to do.

Take counsel; consider seriously among yourselves what course to take to prevent your utter ruin. Execute judgment; do those things which are just and right, as to all men, so particularly to my people, to whom you have been most unrighteous and unmerciful.

Mine outcasts; whom though I have forsaken, and sorely chastened, yet I do, and still will, own for my people; and I do observe, and will requite, both the kindnesses and the injuries done to them.

In mercy; by my mercy. Though they have sinned, and I am now punishing their sins, yet I will deliver them for my own mercy’s sake. The throne; the kingdom od Judah. Therefore for thine own sake show them kindness in this day of their distress; for they will be capable of requiting thee.

The prophet, having spoken to the Moabites, and acquainted them with their duty and interest, now he turneth his speech to God’s people, whom he armeth and comforteth against their approaching misery.

For Moab; for itself; the noun put for the pronoun, as is usual in the Hebrew text. Or, to Moab. One Moabite shall howl or lament to or for another. Kir-hareseth; an ancient and eminent city of Moab, called Kir, Isa. 15:1 and Kir-haresh, Isa.

The fields of Heshbon languish; either for want of rain, as Isa. 15:6, or because there are no men left to till and manure them. The lords of the heathen; the Assyrians or Chaldeans, the great rulers of the Eastern nations.

I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: so the sense is, I will bewail Sibmah as I did bewail Jazer, which, they say, was destroyed before Sibmah: or, the weeping of Jazer might be a proverbial expression; for it is used also Jer.

The treaders: in those times they used to squeeze out the juice of their grapes by treading them with their feet, in vessels appointed for that use, Judg. 9:27, Neh. 13:15.

Shall sound, through compassion to them; of which See Poole “Isa. 15:5”. In excessive griefs the bowels are sometimes rolled and tumbled together, so as to make an audible noise.

When it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place; when it shall appear to them and others that all their other devotions are vain and ineffectual. To his sanctuary; to the temple of his great god, Chemosh, Num. 21:29, 1 Kings 11:7, Jer. 48:46, from whom he shall seek and expect succour.

Since the beginning of God’s revelation to me concerning Moab, and hitherto; which exposition seems to be confirmed by the following words, but now.

Hath spoken; hath made this further discovery of his mind to me. Within three years; to be computed either, 1. From the time of Jerusalem’s destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, who did, as is confessed by all, invade the Moabites at or about that time, and execute the judgment first foretold by this…