Definition: But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant [shall be] very small [and] feeble.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 16:14. It's a pretty serious message about God’s plan for a future event. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that God is going to bring about a significant and dramatic change – a big shift – that will be incredibly impactful. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “But now the LORD hath spoken…” : This tells us we’re hearing something important from God. It's not just random words, but a definite message. “…saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned…” : This is where it gets a little tricky. "Hireling" refers to a person who’s hired to do something for a short time. It represents a small, temporary group – likely a powerful or influential nation like Moab. “The glory of Moab” means the people and kingdom of Moab will be facing a significant challenge. “Contemned” means to look down upon or scorn. So, this is saying that the people of Moab (and perhaps a large part of their land) will be disrespected and treated badly by God. “…with all that great multitude; and the remnant [shall be] very small [and] feeble.” : This highlights the impact of this event. "All that great multitude" refers to a large group, possibly the powerful people of Moab. “The remnant” means those who are left behind after the main group is diminished. “Very small and feeble” describes the fate of those remaining – they’ll be weak and insignificant. So, putting it all together: God is preparing for a very significant event in the future. It's going to involve a period of time (three years) where Moab will be heavily criticized and treated poorly by God. The outcome? A small group of people will be left behind – they’ll be weak and insignificant because of this challenge. What does it mean for us today? It’s often interpreted as a warning about the potential for injustice, oppression, or challenges to faith. It can also speak to the importance of standing up for what's right and protecting those who are vulnerable. It’s a message about God's protection and judgment, but also about the possibility of hope and resilience even in difficult times. Resources: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/16/Isaiah%2016%2C14](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/16/Isaiah%2016%2C14) - This is a great resource for reading the verse in context and understanding it better. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Discuss its symbolism? Compare it to other biblical passages about judgment or adversity?