Isaiah 22

This chapter sees the prophet turn his attention to Jerusalem (v1-14) in a message likely given shortly after the death of Hezekiah.  In addition there is a prophecy concerning two leading men in Hezekiah’s government (v15-24).

·        22:1-14: The Valley of Vision fits Jerusalem, surrounded by mountains and being the home of the prophet where he received his vision.

o   22:1b-4: This burden seems to fit the Assyrian invasion of Judah (after destroying the Northern Kingdom), and the loss of many cities and lives.  After the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem the people are pictured as joyous, seemingly oblivious to the death and destruction that had just happened and oblivious God’s call to repent.  Isaiah weeps over this (v4). 

o   22:5-11: Isaiah says that there is a day of trouble coming (v5-7).  When it comes they will remember back as to how they worked hard to make the city defensible.  It is possible Isaiah refers to the construction of Hezekiah’s Tunnel which rerouted the water so it would not be available to the Assyrians when they set up a siege. This was an amazing fete. But the people will also remember that they did not really look to God.  

o   22:12-14: Isaiah sees what Jeremiah also saw: that the revivals in Israel were not from the heart but were in pretense (Jer. 3:10).  Hezekiah led Judah in a great revival; and yet as soon as Hezekiah died the people were led astray by Manasseh.  It was that time in Israel’s history when God finally said there would be no escape from judgment; the sinfulness in Manasseh’s time sealed Judah’s fate (2 Kings 21:10-16; Jer. 15:1-4).

·        22:15-24: When the Assyrians came to take Jerusalem Hezekiah sent three men out to negotiate with the commander (the Rabshakeh).  Two of these were Eliakim who was over the household and Shebna the scribe (Isa. 26:3).  These two are here seen as a picture of the choice before the people of Judah.

o   22:15-19: Shebna was condemned because he acted like judgment would never come.  He built a tomb, indicating he expected to be in Jerusalem when he died.  It showed his lack of repentance at the call of the prophet.  

o   22:20-24: Eliakim, whom God calls My servant, was a righteous man and God promises to grant him success in his life.  Because he was over the household of the king he had the key to all the wealth of the house of David.  He will have an open door which no one can shut. 

§  In Rev. 3:7 Jesus, through whom we have access to the sure mercies of David (i.e. the riches of His royal house), is said to have the key of David which He uses to give the church of Philadelphia (in Asia) an open door which no one can shut.

The chapter closes profoundly.  In that day Israel and the Church need to know: what the LORD has spoken will be fulfilled whether it involved His warnings to repent or encouragements to obey!