Isa 16:1 Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.

In Isaiah 16, Isaiah continues his prophecy against Moab, and gives them counsel what to do, to prevent, if possible, the desolation. The first counsel he gives to Moab is she is to send a sacrifice of peace offering to the king of Judah: “Send the lamb to the ruler of the land, from Sela, by way of the desert, to the mount of the daughter of Zion” (v.1). Moab’s only hope is to make peace with Judah. When she makes peace with God’s people, she makes peace with God. Isaiah’s second counsel to Moab is she is to be kind to the refugees of Judah: “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” (v.4). God’s people, Israel and Judah, are also being oppressed by their enemies. God tells Moab to shelter His people on the day they escape from their enemies. In this way, when it is their turn to seek for shelter, Israel and Judah will likewise help them. Unfortunately, Moab would not listen to the good counsels: “We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath” (v.6). The people of Moab will go to their high places to worship. They will go to their temple to pray, but it will not help them (v.12). God said that in three years, Moab would be destroyed (v.14). WHAT ARE THE LESSONS FOR US? 1. BE RECONCILED BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Moab was asked to offer a peace sacrifice to Judah. She refused and was destroyed. Our Lord commands us to be reconciled with our brethren before it is too late (Matthew 5:23-26). 2. KINDNESS BEGETS KINDNESS. Moab was to show kindness to the refugees of God’s people because someday, she would need it too. If we want to receive kindness, we must first be kind to others: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12). 3. PRIDE COMES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. Moab was proud; she refused to listen to the good counsels of God. She did not want to establish peace with Judah. She refused to show kindness to the refugees of Judah. Pride is one main reason two brethren cannot be reconciled. No one wants to say sorry. No one wants to admit he is in the wrong. No one wants to take the first step. Solomon says pride comes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Both will fall together in the Judgment Day. 4. GOD WILL NOT HEAR THE PRAYERS OF SINNERS. Moab can pray all the prayers she wants but her prayers will not be answered. God will not hear the prayers of one who refuses to repent (John 9:31). The Scripture even says we should not pray for a brother who refuses to repent (1 John 5:16). God has no desire for any sinner to perish in his sins; He desires for all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). Hence, He tells them what they can do to escape damnation. He tells Moab in this chapter. He also tells us in the New Covenant (John 3:16). Let us not be like Moab that rejected God’s counsel to be saved. But, let us be humble and submit to God’s instructions and receive eternal life: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).