In the midst of His pronouncement of judgment, God held out His hand of mercy to Moab. He made a way for them to have relief. God does not desire to punish the wicked, but He would rather see them repent and turn to Him.
Sadly, Moab followed the way of pride instead of repentance and humbling of themselves. Isaiah 16:6 says, “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 was even proud of its pride, and of the wrath it executed on others. But it would not prosper. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” And this was surely true in Moab’s case.
The way of pride does not end in rejoicing and prosperity but in sorrow and weeping. Isaiah 16:7,8 says, “7) Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken. 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.” In Moab, the destruction ranged from the bustling cities to the fruitful fields and the lush vineyards.
When God looked upon the now broken land and ruined harvest, He was moved. Verses nine and ten say, “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. 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.” God continues, “Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.” (verse eleven)
Though God is just and must punish sin, it breaks even His heart to see judgment fall upon the wicked. Lamentations 3:32,33 says, “32) But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. 33) For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” Punishment is not something God wants to bring upon a people. He would much rather pour out His compassion upon them. But, the way of pride is the way of destruction and it brings nothing but judgment and sorrow.
What will we choose today – the path of pride of the path of humility? Jesus said, “Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:14b) The easy path leads to harm and suffering. The more difficult path leads to exaltation and joy. The choice is ours. Which will it be?