Isaiah 16
“Give counsel. Grant justice. Make your shade like night at the height of noon. Shelter the outcasts. Do not reveal the fugitive. Let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you [Judah]. Be a shelter to them from the destroyer [Assyria]. When the oppressor is no more, and destruction has ceased, and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land, then a throne will be established in loyal love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges, seeks justice, and is swift to do righteousness [Hezekiah as a type of Messiah].” - Isaiah 16:3-5
As mentioned yesterday, Moab is fleeing south from the Assyrian army, and for protection they can turn either to Edom or Judah. If they turn to Judah, they will need to send a lamb to Zion (Isaiah 16:1) in humble submission to the Davidic dynasty. In vv. 3-5, Isaiah, filled with the Holy Spirit, instructs Judah what to do if/when the Moabite outcasts come to Jerusalem. They are to grant them justice, shelter them, and hide them until the destroyer, the king of Assyria, is gone. Then the Davidic throne will be established in loyal love. On it will sit Hezekiah, who will be a faithful, just, and righteous ruler. Hezekiah is a type of the ultimate Messianic king to come.
There is so much to learn here: (1) it is Israel's job to hide/protect/shelter Gentile outcasts who choose to take refuge in Zion; (2) the destruction of the destroyer will cease (this prefigures the Tribulational period and the destruction of the Antimessiah); (3) then Messiah's rule will be established; and (4) Messiah's rule will be characterised by loyal love, faithfulness, justice, and righteousness. The situation in Isaiah's day between Moab, Assyria, and Judah prefigures what will happen future to us in the Tribulation and Messianic kingdom.
Father, thank you that there is a place of refuge for Gentile outcasts in Zion. I am one of those outcasts. Thank you that once the destruction of the destroyer has ceased, the throne of Messiah Jesus will be established in loyal love. I believe with all my heart he will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David, seeking justice and executing righteousness. Father, this world truly needs a Messiah. Thank you for providing your one and only Son, Jesus, as the Messiah. No other person will do. We pray that Jesus' reign would come quickly. In the meantime, may we invite our fellow outcasts to take shelter in Zion by believing in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, who died and rose again for us. All glory and praise be to you today. In the name of Jesus, amen.
- Jeff Coleman