Study Desk

Because of the noise of the feet of horses running, the noise of war-wagons and the sound of wheels, fathers have not turned back for their children. Their hands have become too weak,

because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines. And all those who helped Tyre and Sidon will be destroyed. For the Lord is going to destroy the Philistines, those who are left of the land of Caphtor by the sea.

About Moab, the Lord of All, the God of Israel, says, "It is bad for Nebo, for it has been destroyed. Kiriathaim has been put to shame and taken. The high, strong-place has been put to shame and crushed.

The praise for Moab has come to an end. In Heshbon they have planned trouble against her, saying, ‘Come, let us destroy her from being a nation!' You, O Madmen, will be made quiet also. The sword will follow you.

They go up the hill of Luhith crying all the time. For at the hill of Horonaim they have heard the troubled cry of those who are being destroyed.

Run fast! Run for your lives! You will be like a bush in the desert.

Give wings to Moab, for she will fly away. Her cities will become a waste, with no people living in them.

Have sorrow for him, all you who live around him, and all who know his name. Say, ‘How his power has been broken, the greatness of his power!'

Come down from your greatness and sit on the hot ground, O you who live in Dibon. For the destroyer of Moab has come up against you. He has destroyed your strong-places built for battle.

Moab has been put to shame, for it is broken down. Cry out. Let it be known by the Arnon that Moab has been destroyed.

"Make him drunk, for he has become proud before the Lord. So Moab will roll in the food he has thrown up, and be laughed at.

Did you not laugh at Israel? Or was he found among robbers? For each time you speak about him you laugh and shake your head.

So I will cry in a loud voice for Moab. I will cry out for all Moab. I will have sorrow for the men of Kir-heres.

I will cry for you more than for Jazer, O vine of Sibmah! Your branches have gone over the sea, even to the sea of Jazer. The destroyer has fallen upon your summer fruits and your grapes.

"So My heart cries out for Moab like a horn. My heart cries like a horn also for the men of Kir-heres. The riches they had for themselves have been lost.

On all the roofs of Moab and in its streets there are cries of sorrow everywhere. For I have broken Moab like a pot that is not wanted," says the Lord.

For the Lord says, "One will fly fast like an eagle, and spread out his wings against Moab.

Kerieth has been taken, and the strong-places built for battle have been taken. In that day the hearts of the strong men of Moab will be like the heart of a woman giving birth.

"The one who runs from trouble will fall into the trap. And the one who comes up out of the trap will be caught in the net. For I will bring these things upon Moab in the year of their punishment," says the Lord.

"In the shadow of Heshbon, those who have run for their lives stand without strength. For a fire has gone out from Heshbon and from Sihon. It has destroyed the forehead of Moab and the top of the heads of the trouble-makers.