Isaiah 22
-The oracle concerning the valley
of vision (Jerusalem of Judah). The question is asked, “What is the matter with
you now (Isaiah 22:1)? The time for overthrow is approaching and Isaiah
prophetically sees it. The rulers have fled together and have been captured
without weapons. They are to turn away and weep bitterly in this time with no
comfort in sight. “For the Lord God of hosts has a day of panic, subjugation,
and confusion in the valley of vision, a breaking down of walls and a crying to
the mountain (Isaiah 22:5).” Their defenses have been removed, breaches in the
wall and siege is predicted. In all of this they did not turn back to the LORD
their God to depend and take consideration of Him (Isaiah 22:6-11). Instead,
when they were called by God to weeping, wailing, shaving the head, and wearing
sackcloth in repentance, they made merry in their despair and feasted like
there was no tomorrow. Because of this the LORD says, “Surely this iniquity
shall not be forgiven you until you die (Isaiah 22:12-14).” *Application* The
root problem is that sometimes we do not trust God’s power or His promises
(Isaiah 56:12, 1 Corinthians 15:32). Instead of despairing or turning to self-indulgence
in times of crisis, turn to God and realize that this life is not all that
there is. We have the hope of the resurrection and a future in paradise with
the King of Glory, Jesus Christ. Our proper response is to always believe
whole-heartedly in God and His promise to include us in the new world that He
will create, which is perfect, righteous, just, and holy.
-The LORD then tells Isaiah to go
to a steward, Shebna, who was in charge of the royal household in Jerusalem.
The message is harsh for this one who does not deserve to be there anymore
because of his disobedience. The LORD is about to hurl him headlong in a firm
grip and a tightly wound ball into a vast foreign country where he will die
(Isaiah 22:15-18). His office will be deposed, and he will be brought down from
his lofty station (Isaiah 22:19). The reason for this judgment can be assumed
materialism along with the citizens of Jerusalem, or possibly his favoring of
aligning with foreigners ignoring Isaiah’s advice to trust in the LORD alone.
He was replaced by God’s servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah. He will get the
clothes and sash, secure in authority to become the father to the inhabitants
of Jerusalem and the house of Judah. The key of the house of David will be set
on his shoulder. What he opens no one will shut, and what he shuts no one will
open. He will be driven like a peg into a firm place and become a throne of
glory to his father’s house with offspring and issue and all the vessels of
worship from the bowls to the jars. But, then in that day the LORD declares
that Eliakim too will falter and give way to be broken off and fall. He will be
cut off, for the LORD has spoken (Isaiah 22:20-25). *Application* God raises up
leaders and tears them down according to His overarching-transcendent will
(Romans 13:1). Since the kingdoms of this world are ultimately under His
control, it is always our most secure position to rest in Him and not seek
alliances with the world. Again this goes back to trust in the Almighty.
Verse to Memorize: Isaiah 22:5
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