Isaiah 16:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Despite Arnon's acceptance of some Moabite survivors, it is clear that this group is but a frail remnant; the devastation wrought upon the Moabites was vast. The statement reflects that the early inhabitants, as the war raged, did not fully escape, and among those who fled, only a handful made it to safety. This underlines the harsh reality that many have perished, fulfilling the prophecy against Moab.

As a reminder to Arnon, the leader of the Moabites—once powerful and intimidating—has fallen. His absence signifies a grave loss, for he had upheld the hopes of his people. Such an ending reveals the futility of relying on past strength, as the wicked are destined for ruin. When divine judgment fully descends, what chance remains for those who have suffered so? As stated in Proverbs 2:22, “For the wicked will be cut off from the land.”

For those who once plundered will now become the adversaries, waging conflict to lead others to the true God." Thus, as they resemble fleeing birds seeking safety with the nurtured young, having escaped from the oppressive powers of evil and liberated from the tyrant who fell due to his arrogance and self-governance, this prophecy promises future blessings to the nurtured one.

A throne will be established in mercy, and upon it shall sit He who judges and pursues righteousness, rewarding swiftly what is just, in the true tabernacle of David. The Hebrew phrase, "Send the Lamb, the ruler of the earth," may also be interpreted as "Send the Lamb to the ruler of the earth," indicating that it is not the Lamb Himself who rules, as per our historical translation, but rather that He must be sacrificed for the ruler of the earth. This Lamb, who is either the ruler of the land or is slain for the ruler, is associated with the Moabites and those who fled from Moab, honored to have a lion as their ruler. This is represented by Ruth, the ancestor of Christ (Matt. 1:5), who is recognized as the rock of the wilderness, for the Moabites and Ammonites are commanded by God not to enter the assembly of the Lord until the tenth generation, and forever (Deut. 23). However, he who escaped from the wilderness of Moab, and, let us delve into the profound meaning, having rejected falsehood, stood upon truth’s mountain, shall become as a fleeing bird, and like chicks taking flight, to avoid being consumed by the serpents of Moab. Thus shall all the daughters, or souls of Moab, be upon crossing the Arnon, signifying their enlightenment as they forsake error to embrace the knowledge of truth.

To Moab or to those who fled from it, it is said, “Do nothing without counsel (Proverbs 13),” lest you be swept away by diverse winds of doctrine (Eph. 4), but follow the one who is the angel of great counsel. Convene a council, that from amidst those who stray and wander, a Church of God may arise. But the tent and tabernacle, where you once sought rest—symbols of night and darkness—will be raised at noon, in the brilliant light, where you shall protect those escaping error and not betray the ones who have erred previously. O Moab, for my exiles, who have forsaken me and departed from the Church, who, shunning the guidance of the Holy Spirit, followed their own understanding, or those who were living among you when the ravaging devil began to persecute them, grant sanctuary, redirecting their thoughts toward the fear of the Lord. Know that after the coming of the Lamb, who arises from the rocky wilderness, ruler over all the earth, and comes to the mountain of the daughter of Zion, all the power of the devil, akin to dust, has come to an end. The wicked, who caused many to suffer, is destroyed, and he who trampled the earth—the earthly ones—has ceased to exist. Yet when he is obliterated and rendered non-existent, then shall the throne and eternal kingdom be established, first in mercy, for all have sinned (Rom. 3), and He who judges with mercy and seeks justice will reward each according to their actions while seated in the tabernacle of David, once fallen but now restored.

Let us reflect on the beginning of the message concerning Moab, which declares, “Ar Moab was devastated by night,” and continue toward this end, examining how by repentance the Israelites transform from Moabites, fleeing as birds, like chicks from the nest, crossing the Arnon and residing on the mountain of the daughter of Zion. After the annihilation of the devil or antichrist, Christ reigns over them, establishing His throne among those redeemed by mercy and righteousness. For the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).

Send forth from the rock of the wilderness the Lamb, the Sovereign of all the earth, to the mountain of the daughter of Zion. The message conveys not mere history but prophecy, and every prophecy is enshrouded in enigmas, shifting thoughts from one to another, preventing it from becoming a straightforward narrative should the Scripture maintain structure. The essence is, O Moab, you, under the watch of the lion, over whom not even a remnant shall escape, will find this comfort: from you shall emerge an Immaculate Lamb to remove the sins of the world, who will reign over the entire universe; He shall arise from the rocky wilderness—this refers to Ruth, who after her husband’s death became a widow, and bore Obed by Boaz, and Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David, and David fathered Christ. The mountain of the daughter of Zion may be understood as the city of Jerusalem itself or, in a deeper sense, the Church elevated upon the summit of virtues.

It shall be as the fleeing bird, and the chicks flying from the nest; thus will the daughters of Moab be at the crossing of the Arnon. He returns to the initial theme: as he states that he will set a fiercer lion against those who flee from Moab, and for the remnant of the land, one who will crush their bones; then they will be scattered in fear, and all the daughters—meaning the towns and cities of Moab—will pass over the Arnon, the boundary separating the Ammonites and Moabites. Note also this idea of crossing regarding captivity.

Engage in discussion and convene a council; cast your shadow at noon like night, offering refuge to those who escape and not abandoning the wanderers. The exiles of my people shall reside with you; Moab, be a sanctuary for them against the devourer: for the dust has settled, the wicked one is gone, and he who trampled the earth has disappeared. The Hebrew term conveys a sense of desolation. Nevertheless, it is said to Moab that it should seek salvific guidance, gathering the elders into a meeting for its salvation. Do you wish to be saved and to receive God’s mercy? In the open flight of my people, in the middle of the day, you will be like a shadow for them, providing cover to those who flee, and do not betray those who wander. He then clarifies why he makes this exhortation: My exiles shall dwell with you. For following the devastation of Jerusalem and all Judea, which borders Moab, my people will turn to you. Be a refuge for them and fear not the desolator's invasion, for he will swiftly vanish like dust, and the land's desolator, who trod it down and subdued it underfoot, will dissipate with a mere breath. Some poorly interpret this scripture concerning the Antichrist, believing that the saints at the time, due to Jerusalem's proximity to Arab territory, will resort to the latter, being warned not to forsake those who seek refuge there.

A throne will be established in mercy, and He shall occupy it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, who judges, seeks righteousness, and quickly compensates what is right. The Hebrews interpret this as a prophecy concerning Hezekiah, who, after the expulsion of the Assyrian king, will reign over Judah, occupying David’s throne and administering justice to his subjects. Others see this as prophetic of Christ. When the dust of the Antichrist is trampled down, and the desolator who has crushed the earth is defeated, then King Christ will come, seated in the tabernacle of David, rewarding all according to their deeds on the day of judgment. Undoubtedly, this section foretells Christ. However, this can also be interpreted in relation to His first coming, highlighting the tabernacle of the Church, where the establishments of churches throughout all of Moab affirm the might of Christ.