Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 16:6-14

"We have heard of the pride of Moab, [that] he is very proud; even of his arrogancy, and his pride, and his wrath; his boastings are nought. Therefore shall Moab wail for Moab, every one shall wail: for the raisin-cakes of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, utterly stricken. For the fields of Heshbon languish, [and] the vine of Sibmah; the lords of the nations have broken down the choice branches thereof, which reached even unto Jazer, which wandered into the wilderness; its shoots were spread abroad, they passed over the sea. Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah; I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for upon thy summer fruits and upon thy harvest the [battle] shout is fallen. And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither joyful noise: no treader shall tread out wine in the presses; I have made the [vintage] shout to cease. Wherefore my heart soundeth like a harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir-heres. And it shall come to pass, when Moab presenteth himself, when he wearieth himself upon the high place, and shall come to his sanctuary to pray, that he shall not prevail. This is the word that Jehovah spake concerning Moab in time past. But now Jehovah hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of a hireling, the glory of Moab shall be brought into contempt, with all his great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and of no account." — Isaiah 16:6-14 (ASV)

Those who will not be counseled, cannot be helped. More souls are ruined by pride than by any other sin whatsoever. Also, the very proud are commonly very passionate. With lies many seek to gain the gratification of pride and passion, but they will not accomplish their proud and angry schemes.

Moab was famous for fields and vineyards; but they will be laid waste by the invading army. God can soon turn laughter into mourning, and joy into heaviness. In God let us always rejoice with holy triumph; in earthly things let us always rejoice with holy trembling. The prophet looks with concern on the desolations of such a pleasant country; it causes inward grief.

The false gods of Moab are unable to help; and the God of Israel, the only true God, can and will fulfill what He has spoken. Let Moab know her ruin is very near, and prepare. The most awful declarations of Divine wrath reveal the way of escape to those who take warning.

There is no escape except by submission to the Son of David and by devoting ourselves to Him. And, in the end, when the appointed time comes, all the glory, prosperity, and multitude of the wicked will perish.