A Path to Mercy
In the midst of the account of the burden of Moab and all the judgments that are in store for it, God did not forget His mercy. Even for them, He laid out a plan of mercy. If they would but pay Him heed, they could have relief in their judgment.
“1) Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. 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.” (Isaiah 16:1) We can read about David’s battle with Moab in II Samuel chapter eight, verses one and two. At that time, he smote and subdued Moab and made them to be tributaries to Israel. “They became David’s servants and brought him gifts.” However, now Moab had rebelled against Israel and become their enemies again.
God was encouraging Moab to begin paying tribute to the king of Judah again. Also, God encouraged them to treat the children of Israel kindly and to take them in when they fled to them for protection. If they would do this, the oppression and the spoiling of their land would cease. “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. 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.” (Isaiah 16:3,4)
If Moab would return to paying their tribute and would treat the king of Judah and the people of Judah well, God would give mercy to both lands. The throne of David would have someone to sit on it and it would be established in mercy. The king and the people of Judah would do well and Moab would do well also. “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.” (Isaiah 16:5)
What would Moab do? Would they choose the path of mercy? What will we do? What will our nation do? Will we listen and look to see if God is laying out a path of mercy for us? Will we choose that path of mercy?