16:1-4
In chapter fifteen everything seems very bad for Moab, except that v5 says “my heart cries out over Moab”. So Moab is called upon to send lambs as tribute to Israel, which they had previously done many years ago (2 Kings 3:4). The Moabites are fleeing southwards in terror, and Judah is instructed to provide a safe haven for them. Moab had often oppressed Israel, but now she is told to seek refuge in Judah, and Judah is instructed to be a shelter for them from the oppressor. The aggressor, Assyria, would eventually vanish from the land. The church is to provide refuge even for those who may at one time have attacked the church. The Bible has a very realistic and a merciful attitude towards those who persecute the church. There is no hiding from the reality and the evil of those who persecute the church, and they may well end up experiencing God’s wrath. But if they turn from their evil ways and turn to God for help we are to welcome them with open arms.
16:5
We now get a very messianic verse. “In love a throne will be established”. We need to keep in mind the reality of the present, not hiding from any of the evil that is occurring, and at the same time the glory and mercy of God’s future kingdom. Jesus is the one who will sit upon the throne, He is the one from house of David. He acts to seek justice and to bring about righteousness.
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