Moab Is Silenced

9. Against whom is the next pronouncement made, and how has this people proved to be an enemy of God’s people?

⁹ East of the Dead Sea is another neighbor of Israel​—Moab. Unlike the Philistines, the Moabites are related to Israel, being descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot. (Genesis 19:37) Despite that relationship, Moab has a history of enmity with Israel. For example, back in the days of Moses, the king of Moab hired the prophet Balaam, hoping that he would curse the Israelites. When that failed, Moab used immorality and Baal worship to ensnare Israel. (Numbers 22:4-6; 25:1-5) Little wonder, then, that Jehovah now inspires Isaiah to record “the pronouncement against Moab”!​—Isaiah 15:1a.

10, 11. What will happen to Moab?

¹⁰ Isaiah’s prophecy is directed against numerous cities and locations in Moab, including Ar, Kir (or Kir-hareseth), and Dibon. (Isaiah 15:1b, 2a)

Eglath-shelishiyah, whose name may mean “A Heifer of Three Years Old,” will be like a sturdy young cow uttering pitiful cries of anguish. (Isaiah 15:5) The grass of the land will dry up while the “waters of Dimon” become full of blood because of the slaughter of the Moabites. The “waters of Nimrim” will become “sheer desolations,” in either a figurative sense or a literal sense​—likely because enemy forces dam up their streams.​—Isaiah 15:6-9.

¹¹ Moabites will gird themselves with sackcloth, the garment of mourning. They will shave their heads bald to symbolize shame and lamentation. Their beards will be “clipped,” showing extreme grief and humiliation. (Isaiah 15:2b-4)

Modern-Day “Moab” Perishes

13. What organization today can be compared with Moab?

¹³ Today there is a worldwide organization similar to ancient Moab. It is Christendom, the principal part of “Babylon the Great.” (Revelation 17:5) Both Moab and Israel descended from Abraham’s father, Terah. Similarly, Christendom, like the congregation of anointed Christians today, claims to have roots in the first-century Christian congregation. (Galatians 6:16) However, Christendom​—like Moab—​is corrupt, promoting spiritual immorality and the worship of gods other than the one true God, Jehovah. (James 4:4; 1 John 5:21) As a class, Christendom’s leaders oppose those who preach the good news of the Kingdom.​—Matthew 24:9, 14.

14. Despite Jehovah’s counsel against the modern-day “Moab,” what hope is there for individual members of that organization?

¹⁴ Moab was eventually silenced. The same will happen to Christendom. Jehovah, using a modern-day equivalent of Assyria, will cause her to be desolated. (Revelation 17:16, 17)