Isaiah 22:1-14

Jerusalemites rebuked

1 An oracle about the Valley of Vision. What is wrong with you, that you have all gone up to the rooftops,
2 you who are filled with noise, you roaring city, you party town? Your dead weren't slaughtered by the sword; they didn't die in battle.
3 All your leaders escaped together but were captured without a single bow shot. All your escapees were bound together, even though they fled far away.
4 Therefore, I said, "Don't look at me; let me weep bitterly. Don't try to comfort me about the destruction of my dearly loved people."
5 The LORD God of heavenly forces has a day of tumult and trampling and turmoil in the Valley of Vision, a breaking down of walls, a cry for help to the mountains.
6 Elam carried the quiver with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
7 Your finest valleys were filled with chariots, and horsemen doggedly guarded the gate.
8 Judah's covering has been stripped away. On that day, you trusted the weapons in the Forest House.
9 You observed the many broken defenses in David's City, and you collected the waters of the lower pool.
10 You counted Jerusalem's houses, and you tore down houses to fortify the wall.
11 You made a reservoir between the walls for the water of the earlier pool. But you didn't trust its maker; you didn't consider the one who planned it long ago.
12 The LORD God of heavenly forces called on that day for weeping and mourning, and shaven heads, and wearing of mourning clothes.
13 But instead there was fun and frivolity, killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: "Eat and drink! Tomorrow we will die!"
14 But the LORD of heavenly forces has revealed in my hearing: This iniquity won't be forgiven you until you die, says the LORD God of heavenly forces.

Isaiah 22:1-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 22

This chapter contains two prophecies, one concerning the invasion of Judah and Jerusalem, not by the Medes and Persians, but by the Assyrian army, under which they served; and the other of the removal of Shebna, an officer in Hezekiah's court, and of the placing of Eliakim in his stead. After the title of the former of these prophecies, the distress of the people, through the invasion, is described, by their getting up to the housetops, Isa 22:1 by the stillness of the city, having left both trade and mirth; by the slain in it, not by the sword, but through fear or famine, Isa 22:2 by the flight of the rulers, and by the lamentation of the prophet, Isa 22:3-5 the instruments of which distress were the Persians and Medes serving under Sennacherib, who are described by their quivers and shields, their chariots and horsemen, Isa 22:6,7 the methods the Jews took to defend themselves, and their vain confidence, are exposed; for which, with their disrespect to the Lord, and his admonitions, their carnal security and luxury, they are threatened with death, Isa 22:8-14 then follows the prophecy of the deposition of Shebna, who is described by his name and office, Isa 22:15 whose pride is exposed as the cause of his fall, Isa 22:16 and he is threatened not only to be driven from his station, but to be carried captive into another country, suddenly and violently, and with great shame and disgrace, Isa 22:17-19 and another put in his place, who is mentioned by name, Isa 22:20 and who should be invested with his office and power, and have all the ensigns of it, Isa 22:21,22 and should continue long in it, to great honour and usefulness to his family, Isa 22:23,24 yet not always, Isa 22:25.

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