Chapter Summary

The burden of Moab. Prophecy of great desolations upon the earth.

Discussion Questions for Isaiah, Chapter 15

1. Moab's cities are laid waste at night in Isaiah 15:1. If things are done under the cover night, it is thought to be done in secret. Are God's actions typically done in secret? Why would God do something in secret?
2. Heads are described as bald and beards as short in Isaiah 15:2. Pulling hair out and cutting their beards is a sign of grief. How do we show grief in our culture? Is our way of showing grief healthy in comparison to the Middle Eastern region? Why or why not?
3. "Everyone wails and melts in tears" in Isaiah 15:3. What are other signs of corporate repentance in biblical time and in current times? Why is corporate repentance significant in a body's (nation, community, church) relationship with God?
4. As the children of Israel came into the Promised Land, some of lands belonging to Moab were promised to some tribes of Israel, specifically the cities mentioned in Isaiah 15:4. Why would God turn His face against these lands that were once parts of Israel?
5. According to Isaiah 15, does God completely eradicate Moab like He does the previous three countries mentioned? Why does God treat Moab this way? What does this indicate about God's remembrance of a group of people's actions throughout the years?
6. What is the role of the lion in Isaiah 15:9? Refer to 2 Kings 17:25 and Jeremiah 50:17 as reference. All three of the verses are written in the same time period. If the lions are meant to finish removing the Moabites from their land, why wouldn't God have an invading army conquer the land to do the same thing?
7. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 15 foreshadow future events and the broader context of biblical history?
8. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 15 relate to the overall theme of judgment and restoration in the book of Isaiah?
9. Many of the events of this chapter are also found in Jeremiah 48. What is the significance of the details of the same event being found in different books of the Bible? Why is that important to the faith of a believer?
10. Isaiah 15:6 describes Nimrim's waters being desolate and grass withered. Numbers 32 describes the same location as a stronghold and a place for sheep. What are some events that can lead to such destruction? How much control does humankind over such destruction of natural resources?

Key Words/Phrase

Desolation, v. 6.

Characters

God, Isaiah.

Strong Verse(s)