Weeping in Moab

A local train service in Chicago was disrupted when a man left a suicide note in a backpack on the station platform—and then jumped into the path of an oncoming train. Even without witnessing the accident or knowing the victim, we feel pain and sorrow for the tragic choices made by such troubled souls. If only they could have found someone to talk to for an alternative way to deal with pain.

The account of the Lord’s coming judgment of Moab is horrifying. For two full chapters, we hear the weeping and wailing of the peoples of Moab as the Lord severely crushes them. With words similar to those exclaimed by the prophet when he stood in the presence of God—“I am ruined!” (6:5)—Isaiah describes the destruction of Moab (15:1). The terror of God’s judgment brings fierce soldiers to tears as Moab is laid to waste (15:4). So incredible is the wreckage that Isaiah also weeps over the devastations experienced by this great enemy of Israel (15:5).

It would be easy to imagine that witnessing the final destruction of our most wicked enemy would be an experience of vindication and joy only. As demonstrated by Isaiah, however, a heart that seeks after Christ weeps even when an enemy meets his demise. In the case of Moab, such weeping erupts even over an enemy who also is an enemy of God.

May the Lord give us grace to see enemies of the cross of Christ as people in jeopardy of facing the coming wrath of God. May our hearts be broken and hope for mercy for their souls, and may we pray for the day to come quickly when Jesus’ throne of love and faithfulness establishes righteousness across the world (16:5).

Pray with Us

Lillie Hill, Louis Ballasch, and Todd Sacco, as well as their student helpers, serve in The Commons, Moody’s cafeteria on our Chicago campus. Ask for God’s grace and favor for them during their busy days in the workplace.

BY Dr. Eric C. Redmond

Dr. Eric C. Redmond serves as a professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and as associate pastor of adult ministries at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Ill. He is married to Pam and they have five children. He is the author of Say It!  Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition (Moody Publishers), Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men's’ Questions about the Church (Crossway), a commentary on Jonah in the Christ-Centered Exposition Series (B&H Publishers), and a study guide on Ephesians in the Knowing the Bible series (Crossway).