Isaiah 15: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Isaiah 15 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Moabite cities are devastated overnight, with Ar and Kir laid to waste (vv. 1-2). The people mourn at Bayith and Dibon, removing their hair and cutting their beards in sorrow. In the streets, they wear sackcloth and weep abundantly, expressing grief as Heshbon and Elealeh cry out, and the armed men tremble (vv. 3-4). The nobles of Moab flee to Zoar and Eglath Shelishiyah, weeping as they make their way up the ascent of Luhith. Their cries of destruction echo along the route to Horonaim (vv. 5-7). The cry of Moab reaches the borders, wailing extends to Eglaim and Beer Elim. Dimon is filled with blood, and Yahweh declares further judgment on those who escape, sending a lion upon the remnant of Moab (vv. 8-9).

Key verse

“For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; for I will bring yet more on Dimon, a lion on those of Moab who escape, and on the remnant of the land.”
Isaiah 15:9 (WEB)

Outline

Isaiah 15:1–2 Destruction of Moab's Cities
Isaiah 15:3–4 Wailing and Mourning
Isaiah 15:5–7 Fleeing Nobles and Desolation
Isaiah 15:8–9 Blood and Judgment

Discussion questions

In v1, what cities of Moab are described as being laid waste?
What are the people doing in v3 when they mourn in the streets?
In v5, why does the author express personal emotion for Moab with 'my heart cries out'?
The phrase 'the waters of Dimon are full of blood' in v9: what does this signify about the violence faced by Moab?
When have you felt the urgency to grieve for someone or something as seen in v2?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Isaiah 15: Jeremiah 48, Isaiah 16, Numbers 21.

Before next time: read Isaiah 16.