According to the greatness of their work, is their visitation also: they shall lead them to the torrent of the willows.
עַל־כֵּ֖ן יִתְרָ֣ה עָשָׂ֑ה וּפְקֻדָּתָ֔ם עַ֛ל נַ֥חַל הָעֲרָבִ֖ים יִשָּׂאֽוּם׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Even if they manage to evade danger in these circumstances, I will still bring devastation upon the Arabian wilderness, and they will face challenges. Though they may be safe from external thieves in their remote places and strongholds, they will not escape the lurking threat from the neighboring Arabs who are familiar with their defenses.
I will bring calamity upon the wilderness of Aravnah, and they will seize it. The wailing will echo throughout the land of Moab, reaching as far as Agallim, and its lament will extend even to the treasure house of Elim. Moreover, the waters of Rembon will be flooded with blood. I will summon the Aravites to Rembon and will gather the remnants of Moab and Ariel, halting the descendants of Adam. I will unleash vipers upon the earth. The furthest regions of Syria, known as the land of the Damascenes, are inhabited by countless tribes labeled as Saracens, stretching into Persia itself. They formed alliances with the Babylonians and devastated Moab's territory, even though they shared kinship with the Moabites and were their neighbors, being referred to as Arabs.
Thus, Nebrim shall fall, as declared; I will lead the Arabs into the wilderness, and they shall conquer it. This wilderness is termed Nebrim due to its low-lying nature, in contrast to the elevated cities situated on the mountains. While war did not annihilate a segment of the Moabites, all their lands trembled and faltered like a staggering drunkard. Therefore, the lamentation shall resonate from the farthest reaches of the land, particularly among those who grieve and mourn for the casualties of conflict. The wailing shall travel from Moab to Agallim and echo to the treasure-house of Elim. Here, he identifies the most distant cities along the borders—Agallim and the cemetery of Elim. After conveying that mourning will permeate their territory, he proclaims that the waters of Rembon shall be filled with blood. They suggest that Rembon is a river of abundant water; yet, it shall be saturated with blood, symbolizing possibly that the overflow of water in battle will be matched by the outpouring of the lifeblood of those slain, dyeing the rivers crimson, transforming the earth’s waters into a tainted hue resembling blood.
The land will indeed be captured by the Arabs, resulting in the total destruction of all the descendants of Moab and Ariel. I will dispatch vipers across the land, as the merciless often fall into captivity. Some serpents, enchanted by the songs of certain people, seemingly enchanted, enter a state unusual to them. The phrase "I will send" implies removal, as those who conquer a territory may not kill everyone but rather slay the fiercest warriors and enslave the remainder. If we consider a deeper interpretation beyond the historical context, we must understand that the soul, safeguarded by reverence for God, is fortified and unconquerable, triumphing over the forces and rulers of this dark age, the spirits of wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12).
Should a soul stray towards the unnecessary, diverting from the righteous path, and turn away from pleasing God to indulge in worldly desires, it forfeits divine assistance, leaving it vulnerable and exposed to passions, unable to evade them. Consequently, many become entrapped by their unrefined minds (Rom. 1:28), easily overwhelmed by carnal cravings, leaving them defenseless before their adversaries. Because if, as it is stated, God shuts out mankind, who will open the door? (Job 12:14). And who can overpower the mighty hand of Him who has betrayed? Therefore, let us remain steadfast in the fear of God, for only through this can we attain His grace from above. With youthful courage, we will spiritually strive against sin and temptations, paying little heed to the enemy’s might, thus achieving the reward of the highest calling, living a life resplendent and praiseworthy.
Salvation through consumption? This phrase indicates that the region of Moab, which holds the promise of deliverance, will experience salvation through various methods and will achieve redemption through significant trials. The statements, ‘The land of Moab shall perish, and it shall perish by night,’ along with other references regarding it, clearly point to the idea that these actions lead ultimately to its restoration. I will bring forth the desolation of Aravan. Just as the first shall be redeemed through lamentation, those with unrepentant hearts will find their salvation through the defeat brought upon them by the Arabians. The Arabians may refer to the nations from the West or perhaps symbolize powers likened to darkness, through whom the unrepentant experience tangible consequences for their actions.
In accordance with the magnitude of the act and their visitation, they shall be guided to the brook of the willows. The Hebrew term may refer to the Arabs, or it can be interpreted as a city within their territory, from which, as some assert, provisions were supplied to Elijah during his time on Mount Horeb; this name, due to its dual meaning, is translated as ravens, as well as west and flat areas. The implication is that in relation to the intensity of the affliction, there will be a visitation. This visitation should not be understood as a form of healing but rather as a means of discipline. For He declares, I will visit their transgressions with the rod and their iniquities with stripes (Psalms 88:33).
When He refers to the river of palms, He speaks of the rivers of Babylon, about which David proclaims, We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it (Psalms 136:2), or the Arabian valley through which the route to Assyria traverses.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS