Moab’s Unique Role

Isaiah 16: 6-7. “We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so. Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.”

Isaiah often combines his prophecies of the near future and then looks beyond that to the end times when all prophecy will be complete.  Moab, in Isaiah’s time, will be defeated by Assyria, and will suffer complete destruction. I looked at several explanations for the versions that translate raisin cakes for the foundations of Kir-haraseth. There seems to be general agreement that the raisin cakes, a sweet delicacy, and perhaps also flagons of wine, were offered in sacrifice to the gods of the Moabites. It’s an obscure reference, though, and I’m not a student of the Hebrew language.  I have to depend on commentaries. This does seem, though to be the generally agreed translation and meaning.

Moab has a unique place in history, because not only was Moab a place of refuge for the Jews in Isaiah’s day; it will also be a refuge for the remnant that escape from Antichrist, and will be sheltered in Petra, to become the nucleus of the race heading into the Millenial Kingdom.

Petra is an amazing place, with temples and housing built right into the rock. There are no easy roads into Petra, which makes it highly defensible.  I’d love to see it someday.