Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 16

Verse 4

GOD’S OUTCASTS

Isaiah 16:4. Let Mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab.

I. In the most deserted condition of His people, God acknowledges them as His own. “Mine outcasts.” Sennacherib thought them his; but though forsaken by all the world, God claims them as His own, and avows His interest in them. Men pursue an opposite course; when individuals sink in the social scale, the kindly warmth of friendship is chilled, and the bond of intercourse broken (H. E. I., 23, 24, 2152–2157; P. D., 1422). But God is the friend who sticketh closer than any brother [1033] True, they sometimes esteem themselves outcasts even from Him (Psalms 42:2), and still more frequently are thought to be so by the ungodly (Psalms 42:3); but in this the ungodly make a mistake which in their case is natural, and God’s people should never wrong Him by suspecting Him of fickleness (chap. Isaiah 49:15).

[1033] Philip Henry says, “God’s people may be an outcast people—cast out from men’s love, their synagogue, their country; but God will own His people when men cast them out. They are outcasts, but they are His; and somehow or other He will provide a dwelling for them.” He adds, that though many of the ejected ministers were brought very low, had many children, were greatly harassed by persecutors, and their friends were unable to support them, yet in all his acquaintance he never knew, nor had heard of, any Nonconformist minister being in prison for debt.

II. God provides a refuge for His people when and where it might be least expected. “With thee, Moab.” Moab was not a neutral, but a hostile state, one of Israel’s most inveterate foes, always on the outlook for opportunities to display its hostility. Strange, therefore, that Moab should be selected as a protector for Jehovah’s outcasts; strange, but not unexampled. God often raises up friends for His people in unexpected quarters, supplies their needs by unexpected means, or turns their foes into friends (Proverbs 16:7). Esau’s heart was suddenly changed; Joseph found favour in the eyes of the keeper of the prison; Elijah was fed by ravens; the hungry lions forbore to touch Daniel, &c.

III. God would have His people to be only sojourners in Moab. His outcasts were merely to dwell there; they were not to be incorporated with the Moabitish nation; they were not to adopt either the social customs or the religious beliefs of that people. In like manner He would have His people remember always that in this world they are only sojourners (1 Peter 2:11; H. E. I., 5026–5065).

IV. God is preparing to bring His outcast and scattered people home. He hath prepared for them a city, and He will bring them to the city He hath prepared for them (John 14:1). Let them recognise, rejoice in, and live in harmony with this gracious purpose (Philippians 3:17-21).—Samuel Thodey. [1036]

[1036] “I have long looked for you,” said a persecuting magistrate to a poor woman, “and now I commit you to prison; and then what will you do?” “If it please my Heavenly Father,” she replied, “I shall be fed at your table;” and so she was, for his own wife, who sat by, sent her daily food (Psalms 84:11-12).

Verse 12

FRUITLESS SUPPLICATIONS [1039]

[1039] See Outlines: WORTHLESS HUSKS, and REASONS FOR THE REJECTION OF PRAYER, chap. Isaiah 1:15.

Isaiah 16:12. He shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.

In the profoundly affecting picture which the prophet draws of the calamities coming on the Moabites, he represents them as at length, every other means of relief being exhausted, coming with sad and weary hearts to their sanctuary to call upon their god for deliverance. Their supplications were destined to fail, for they were presented to that which had no power to hear or save (Psalms 115:4-8). This line in this dark picture reminds us of two facts in the life of the men of our own time, who see clearly the folly of idolatry.

I. In times of sorrow they are often seen in the sanctuary. Many who at other times lead openly irreligious lives are then seen using the forms of devotion. This is natural (H. E. I., 3718); it is not wrong; that which is wrong is the infrequency with which the sanctuary is visited and prayer offered by them (H. E. I, 3878, 3879). It is natural and fitting that in time of trouble men should seek God in the sanctuary, tor the sanctuary is the place—

1. Of special promise (Exodus 20:24; Deuteronomy 12:5; 1 Kings 9:3; Matthew 18:20).

2. Of special means. Everything there tends to the production and increase of a devotional spirit (H. E. I., 5078).

3. Of special memory—of memories of help obtained, of sorrows solaced in former times.

II. But all this makes more remarkable the other fact of which these words may well remind us, that many of the supplications that are offered in the sanctuary are offered in vain. We know that this is a fact: how is it to be explained? In such ways as these—

1. Many of the suppliants have little or no faith, and faith is the essential condition of blessing (H. E. I., 3827–3830).

2. Many of the suppliants are not really in earnest, and lukewarmness is an offence to the Divine Being (H. E. I., 3814, 3815, 3831–3838).

3. Many of the suppliants are not really penitent. Their prayers are mere calls for help in time of distress, and God has nowhere promised to help the impenitent and rebellious (H. E. I., 3846, 3858; P. D., 3595).

To point out the causes of the weakness and failure of such prayers is also to point out the remedies that must be applied if the suppliants would have their prayers “prevail.”—William Manning.

In times of trouble, men—

1. Feel their need of help.
2. Generally have recourse to fallacious sources (H. E. I., 172–175).
3. Meet with disappointment, because God is forgotten or unknown.—J. Lyth, D.D.: Homiletical Treasury, part i. p. 23.