Isaiah 14:28-16:14

What’s Happening?

Israel is meant to be a beacon of God’s justice, peace, and goodness and invite the world to join God’s Kingdom (Genesis 12:1-3). However, as Judah is threatened by invading armies, its king has abandoned this divine calling for the wealth, protection, and status that treaties with other nations can provide. The prophet Isaiah tells Judah’s leaders they must stop entertaining alliances with the nations of Philistia and Moab and instead trust God to save their nation. While Philisita and Moab are proud of their nations’ wealth and power, Isaiah warns that God will humble them. Judah would be foolish for trusting doomed powers.

While Philistia is confident it can defeat anything the Assyrians throw at them, Isaiah warns that this confidence is ill-informed. The Assyrian royal family will get stronger, not weaker, with each generation. And like a snake slowly coiling, it’s preparing a deadly attack against them (Isaiah 14:29-31). Philistia’s overconfidence will soon be exposed. To accept a treaty with Philistia is foolish and short-sighted. The only hope for afflicted Judah is God (Isaiah 14:32).

Similarly, an alliance with Moab will offer no additional security for Judah. Moab prides itself on the security and wealth its agriculture has brought them (Isaiah 16:6-7). But Isaiah promises the great vineyard of Moab will be hacked to pieces within three years (Isaiah 16:8-14). From top to bottom, Moab will be laid waste (Isaiah 15:1). Swiftly, city after city will fall, and their citizens will flee to the desert only to be hunted by lions (Isaiah 15:2-9). Proud Moab will soon fall. Instead of foolishly trusting a doomed nation, Judah must place their trust in God.

However, unlike Isaiah’s prophecies against Philistia, Isaiah mourns Moab’s fall. Instead of gloating, Isaiah tells Judah to accept any Moabite seeking asylum (Isaiah 16:1-4). This change in tone is likely because Israel’s greatest king, David, was part Moabite. It’s also why Isaiah immediately prophesies that God will soon raise a new Davidic king to rule God’s people forever (Isaiah 16:5). Judah’s hope is not in an alliance with Moab. Rather, Judah and Moab share a common hope. The only way either nation will be saved is by trusting God. The world will not save God’s people, but the King of God’s people will save the world. 

Where is the Gospel?

Like Judah, we are all tempted to make alliances with doomed powers. We believe that by joining ourselves with powerful people or political parties, our lives would be better, our families would be safer, and our churches would be more secure. However, no person or party will last forever, and God will humble every power that promises to provide what only he can guarantee. It’s foolish to trust the powers of this world; our hope must rest in God and the King he promises to send.

The King Isaiah prophesied about is Jesus. He is the part-Moabite descendant of David who humiliates the pride of world powers and saves those who trust God (Matthew 1:1, Acts 2:24-28). In pride, the empire of Rome believed it was more powerful than God. In a show of dominance, it sentenced God’s chosen King to death. However, Jesus humiliated Roman power and pride by rising from the dead (1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:15). While empires and nations might still have golden thrones and massive armies, Jesus’ resurrection makes their power irrelevant and impotent (Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 3:19). Jesus now sits on a throne in heaven where no kingdom or king can overthrow him. It is foolish to trust doomed powers for better, safer, and more secure lives. The powers of this world will not save God’s people, but the King of God’s people will save the world. It is only by trusting Jesus that we and our world will be saved and that God’s people can experience a life of peace and security forever. 

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who can be trusted. And may you see that Jesus is God’s promised King who came to save his people.