Chapter 15

     Isaiah documents a series of pronouncements against Moab,
Israel's neighbor southeast of the Dead Sea.  Moab was a wicked
nation used by the Lord to punish and chasten Israel.  But, to show
that their wickedness would not be tolerated, Isaiah tells of their
ultimate fate.

     Compare Ezek. 25, 35 and Jer. 48 for contemporary prophecies
against Moab.  The account by Jeremiah is similar to Isaiah's in
several ways and has some verses that are very similar to
Isaiah's account.  But, Jeremiah's account differs in that it more
directly implicates Moab's sin of idolatry (Moabite gods: Molech,
Chemosh, Peor) as a cause of their downfall.  Jeremiah also
includes a theme of enmity between Moab and Israel that is absent
in Isaiah's account.  
     Ezekiel's account fleshes out the background behind this
enmity.  Moab is described by Ezekiel as a blasphemer full of
bloodthirsty hatred who rejoices over the opportunity to pillage
Israel's inheritance.  This kind of imagery of a gentile nation
usurping Israel's inheritance could easily have eschatological
implications as the gospel intended for Israel has been delivered
to the gentiles.  This being the case, a line of argumentation
could be developed that "Moab" in these chapters represents
apostate nations who usurp Israel's inheritance but fail to truly
worship the Lord and will be destroyed speedily as a result.
     Also of note, Ezek. 35:14-36:13 pushes for the destruction of
Israel's enemies, namely Moab, as occurring at the redemption of
Israel, which clearly has eschatological implications.

(Just as an aside, I really cannot understand why chapters 15 and
16 were split up rather than kept as one chapter.)

v1  Isaiah indicates that Moab's major cities are sacked by an army
and Moab as a nation is ruined as a result.  That Isaiah only
portrays the leading cities of Moab as being sacked, may indicate
that the famine referenced in v. 6 is what finally destroys all the
remaining cities.

v2-5  The survivors of Moab, indicated to be few by 16:14, enter
into a state of exile and mourning as a result of their being
sacked.  It is safe to assume that this remnant was the more
righteous part among Moab as it is a common theme in Isaiah and the
survivors enter into a state of humiliation by girding
sackcloth and tonsuring themselves.  Isaiah expresses grief over
the plight of the mourning survivors as they travel to
surrounding countries in an attempt to find succor.

v2  The cities identified in this verse are all rich pastoral areas
east of the Jordan.

v4  The cities identified int his verse are cities east of the
Jordan in Moabite possession.

v5 is that sight of one of the infamously poor translations of the
KJV.

v6-7  Here Isaiah indicates that the sack of Moab is followed by
famine.  The survivors take whatever remains of their goods and
depart.  The totality of Moab's demise is such that the nation will
completely cease to exist either by the death or by forced
assimilation into other nations.  The Nimrim is a river located
within Moab's borders.  The LDS Bible footnotes indicate that the
"Wadi of the Willows" is "probably the border between Edom and
Moab", and Smith's Bible Dictionary states that it is probably the
boundary between Moab and one of its neighbors on the south.

v8 indicates that all of Moab, even its farthest flung cities, are
struck by the destruction.  No part of Moab will be spared.

v9  Assuming the emendations put forward by the JPS are correct (an
assumption supported by cross reference with 16:9) this verse would
state that the tears shed in mourning are all that Moab's survivors
will inherit.  This kind of statement in contrast with those Isaiah
makes in preceding chapters concerning the
redemption of Israel successfully contrast these two parties in a
way as portray their resulting inheritances as being completely
opposite: while Israel will be singing hymns of praise (chapter 12)
Moab will be weeping over his destruction.