Isaiah 16 reminds me of my experience finding my church home. I was at a point in my life where I had simply been on the run. I was a spiritual refugee, fleeing, looking for asylum. In today’s chapter, Isaiah continues prophesying about the nation of Moab, while offering aid to you and me. Isaiah begins, “Send lambs as tribute to… the mount of Daughter Zion“, making it clear that Jerusalem was the dwelling place of the One true God. He describes survivors of Moab as, “Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest“. On our own we are vulnerable to attack with lots of activity and no real flight. Isaiah adds, “Make up your mind… Hide the fugitives… Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer“. I believe the church should be a place that welcomes the wounded and helps them heal; a physical, mental and spiritual shelter. Some come with battle fatigue and others come with hard hearts, calloused by disappointment. I came to the church empty with no ammunition and nothing to give. Isaiah encourages all who will hear, “The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease“. This is a relief, but there is a great deal more, “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a Man will sit on it… One who in judging seeks justice“. He is clearly talking about the future reign of Jesus, but I found this hope is available today. Are you in survival mode?
Next Isaiah puts his finger on the problem. He identifies the thing that keeps us from resting in Christ. We think that we are too important to stop. “We have heard of Moab’s pride; how great is her arrogance! …her conceit, her pride… but her boasts are empty“. The only thing that kept me from bowing before God was that I believed that I did not need saving. I would not surrender, I would not quit. “Therefore the Moabites wail… Lament and grieve“. I refused to cry until God’s Word spoke directly to my heart. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:16-17). God’s love overcame my pride.
Isaiah closes with what I believe is the reaction of all who pray for their lost brother or sister. When the prodigal returns and when the proud kneel before God in humble acceptance “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). But what about the loved one that continues to march on past the church doors? “So I weep… I drench you with tears! Joy and gladness are taken away… no one sings“. Isaiah closes with intense grieving, “My heart laments for Moab… she only wears herself out… the LORD has already spoken concerning Moab… her survivors will be very few and feeble“. This is your choice: to be feeble or to be forgiven. Listen to the description of those that have taken shelter in the church, “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy” (Titus 3:3-5). Friend, Jesus has won the battle; it is time to rest in Him.