The second part of the burden of Moab deals with the utter desolation and despair that enveloped the country.
First was the failure of the crops and of water. “For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.” (Isaiah 15:6). At one time, Naomi went to Moab because there was famine in Bethlehem. Moab was fertile and prosperous, and there was enough to eat. Now Moab, the land of plenty, would be desolate, and famine would take that land. The waters would be desolate and there would be no more hay, grass, or any green thing. This would also mean loss of any cattle or other animals they would try to keep for work or food.
Apparently, the crop had been very abundant. Because of this abundance, the people had laid up food for later. However, they soon would have only what they could carry with them. “Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.” (verse seven)
The whole country of Moab was full of confusion and despair. Weeping and howling stretched from one end of the country to the other. “For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.” (verse eight)
Though all these things seemed dreadful, yet more judgments were to come upon at least part of the land, in the area of Dimon. The area of Dimon was a place of water. This water would be full of blood, perhaps because of contamination from the many who would be slain in the war and in the overthrow of the place. Even from the war some might escape, but God would bring lions against them to take them. “For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.” (verse nine)
Lions were often used by God in judgment.
- God used a lion to slay the prophet who had eaten and drunk in the place where God had told him not to eat and drink. (This story can be found in I Kings chapter 13 (see also verse 24))
- A lion slew a person who would not obey the voice of a prophet of the Lord. (See I Kings 20:36)
- The king of Assyria brought people from various cities to dwell in Samaria instead of the children of Israel. However, these people did not fear the Lord, so He sent lions among them, which slew some of them. (See II Kings 17:25)
- Lions were seen as a means of God’s judgment upon the great men and spiritual leaders of Judah when they knew the way of the Lord and the judgment of God but rejected it. (See Jeremiah 5:4-6)
Just as God used lions to judge those who did not obey Him or who had rejected His word, he would also use them to judge those who apparently fled to Dimon to escape the famine and war of Moab. God would also bring them upon the remnant of the land.
Why were all these terrible things coming upon Moab? Because of their sin and their seeking after other gods and their enmity against Israel. Two quotes from Matthew Henry stood out to me while I was looking at commentaries during my study of this passage. “Where sin has been general, and all flesh have corrupted their way, what can be expected but a general desolation? ….. Those that continue impenitent in sin, when they are preserved from one judgment, are but reserved for another.”
How solemn this chapter is! Nothing happy or uplifting here. There is, however, warning to all of us alive today. We should not forget God or reject Him. We must not do anything against God’s chosen people. Those who do surely will reap judgment. As a nation, America must seek to God for mercy. Crying to other gods is futile and useless. If we turn our back on Him in time of judgment, we can but expect more judgment.
“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die….” (Ezekiel 33:11)