Moab's Pride Ends in Failed Harvest and Grief

Moab's pride is already famous, and the vineyards go silent

We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so. Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken. For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof.

They are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea. Joy and gladness are taken from the plentiful field; in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease. Pride and a ruined harvest belong together in the oracle. The names remain Moab's towns, not a living ethnicity to target.

The prophet's bowels sound like a harp, and a three-year clock is set

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir-haresh. And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail. This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time. 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.

Grief in the speaker's body, failed high-place prayer, and a hired worker's exact three years complete the burden. The remnant is small, not erased for later hatred. Ineffective worship is Moab's sanctuary failing Moab, not a sneer at every neighbor's prayer.