Isaiah - Chapter 22

Isaiah 22.1 The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops? Isaiah 22.2 Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle. Isaiah 22.3 All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far. Isaiah 22.4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. Isaiah 22.5 For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains. Isaiah 22.6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. Isaiah 22.7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate. Isaiah 22.8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest. Isaiah 22.10 And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall. Isaiah 22.11 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago. Isaiah 22.12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: Isaiah 22.13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. Isaiah 22.14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. Isaiah 22.15 Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, Isaiah 22.16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? Isaiah 22.17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. Isaiah 22.18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord’s house. Isaiah 22.19 And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down. Isaiah 22.20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: Isaiah 22.21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. Isaiah 22.22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. Isaiah 22.23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. Isaiah 22.24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. Isaiah 22.25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah : Chapter 22

Isaiah Chapter 22: Jerusalem in Crisis

Chapter 22 of the book of Isaiah addresses the situation of Jerusalem, a city in crisis. It questions God's response to the false security felt by his people. This incisive text describes the "Valley of Vision," where we see a picture of a city in turmoil, accompanied by leaders plunged into panic.

This chapter highlights the critique of resorting to human defenses instead of turning to God. Through prophecies, it foretells judgment and changes in leadership. The themes of repentance, accountability, and true trust in God are central to this reflection. We invite you to consider five biblical passages that resonate with the warnings of this crucial chapter.

Revelation 3:7

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can shut, and what he shuts, no one can open. » This passage evokes the "key of David" mentioned in Isaiah 22:22, emphasizing divine authority over the gates of salvation.

Luke 19:41-44

"When Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it and said, 'If you have understood this day, yes, you also, what brings peace!'" But now it is hidden from your eyes..." Jesus' lament over Jerusalem echoes that of Isaiah, revealing the depth of God's suffering in the face of his people's disobedience.

James 5:1-3

"Listen now, you rich people! Weep and mourn for the misery that will come upon them..." This warning from James resonates with Isaiah's warnings against self-reliance and materialism, reminding us that wealth without God leads to ruin.

Ezekiel 24:15-27

"The word of the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, at one stroke I will take away the pleasure of your eyes...'" Ezekiel's symbolic action evokes the deposition of Shebna in Isaiah 22, prophetically illustrating divine judgment on the people.

2 Kings 18:18

"They called for the king; and Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the king's recorder, came out to meet them." This verse mentions Eliakim and Shebna, central figures in Isaiah 22:15-25, highlighting the importance of leaders in the context of the crisis in Jerusalem.

Meditating on these passages, we are called to reflect on our own trust in God and our responsibility in our walk of faith. May these writings inspire us to build our security not on our own strength, but on the faithfulness of the Lord.