Isaiah 22

CHAPTER 22

A Prophecy About Jerusalem (22:1–25)

1–4 In verses 1–14, Isaiah sees a vision of Jerusalem—here called the Valley of Vision¹⁰¹ (verse 1)—as it is being besieged by the Babylonians. This siege took place in 588–586 B.C., more than a century after Isaiah wrote these words.¹⁰²

Isaiah looks with distress upon the people of Jerusalem. The city is filled with commotion and revelry (verse 2); Jerusalem is about to be destroyed, but the people are eating and drinking and grabbing their last moments of pleasure (see verse 14). They have been dying of famine and pestilence, not by the sword (verse 2). Their leaders have fled—and have been captured¹⁰³ (verse 3). All of this makes Isaiah weep bitterly; he knows this vision is from God and that one day it must come true.

5–11 In these verses, Isaiah pictures the fall of Jerusalem. The people had obtained weapons from the Palace of the Forest (verse 8), a palace of Solomon where weapons were stored (1 Kings 7:1–2; 10:17). They had secured Jerusalem’s water supply (verses 9,11) and strengthened its walls (verse 10). But they did not look to the One who had planned the city from long ago. Those who trust in weapons and walls but not in God are doomed to be destroyed in the end.

12–14 The Lord expected the people of Jerusalem to mourn for their sins and to repent, but instead they ignored Him and feasted and drank. As a result of their deliberate defiance of God, they placed themselves beyond His grace; the chance to atone for their sins was lost¹⁰⁴ (verse 14).

15–19 Here the subject of Isaiah’s vision changes abruptly. These verses deal with a high official of King Hezekiah named Shebna. Isaiah predicts that Shebna will be filled with pride, even to the point of preparing for himself a tomb suitable for a king (verse 16). Isaiah says that instead of receiving a royal burial, he will be sent away to die in a foreign land (verses 17–19).

20–25 In that day (verse 20)—the day when God acts in judgment—Shebna will be replaced by Eliakim. All of Shebna’s authority will be transferred to Eliakim—including the key to the house of David¹⁰⁵ (verse 22). Eliakim will be held in great honor, and all his family will benefit as well.¹⁰⁶

But one day, Eliakim’s honor will be taken from him (verse 25). All worldly honor is transitory; only the honor that comes from God is permanent.