Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The fields of Heshbon languish"
Text: Isaiah 16:8
CITY AFTER CITY
Moab would be severely attacked by invaders. City after city would be captured. All that contributed to the wealth of Moab would disappear from view. The picture of the future of Moab was gloomy indeed!
“For the fields of Heshbon languish,
And the vine of Sibmah;
The lords of the nations have broken down its choice plants,
Which have reached to Jazer
And wandered through the wilderness.
Her branches are stretched out,
They are gone over the sea.
Therefore I will bewail the vine of Sibmah,
With the weeping of Jazer;
I will drench you with my tears,
O Heshbon and Elealeh;
For battle cries have fallen
Over your summer fruits and your harvest.
Gladness is taken away,
And joy from the plentiful field;
In the vineyards there will be no singing,
Nor will there be shouting;
No treaders will tread out wine in the presses;
I have made their shouting cease.
Therefore my heart shall resound like a harp for Moab,
And my inner being for Kir Heres.”
Isaiah 16:8-11
1. Famous cities of Moab.
a) Heshbon was on the summit of a hill.
b) Sibmah was famed for its vines.
c) Jazer was a city that was on the border of the Amorite nation.
d) Elealeh was another city of Moab.
e) They were attacked by “the lords of the nations”.
f) Where once, the branches of Sibmah reached far and wide,
they were now completely destroyed.
2. Bewailing the destruction of the country of Moab.
a) The destruction of any country can cause one to mourn.
b) Tears were shed for the loss of these cities and the famous vines of Sibmah.
3. No more gladness.
a) With such destruction, gladness and joy disappeared.
b) There was once a thriving economy in the vineyards of Sibmah.
c) The grape treaders sang with happiness, in the past,
as they treaded the grapes to produce wine.
d) Those who tread out the grapes would have lost their means of livelihood.
4. Mourning Kir Heres.
a) This is the same fortress called “Kir Hareseth” (Isaiah 16:7).
b) The shortened name is “Kir Heres”.
c) The fall of this famous fortress was mourned indeed!
(This was mentioned twice; Isaiah 16:7, 11.)