1 The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
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.
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.
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.
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.
6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
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.
8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
9 Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
10 And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
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.
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:
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.
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.
15 Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,
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?
17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.
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.
19 And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible, presents a prophetic vision delivered by the prophet Isaiah. The chapter is a mixture of prophecy and historical narrative, focusing on two central themes: the impending doom of Jerusalem and the fall of Shebna, a high-ranking official in King Hezekiah's court. The overarching message of this chapter is a call for repentance and a warning against relying on human strength and wisdom instead of God's providence.
The chapter opens with a reference to the "valley of vision," a metaphorical term that likely refers to Jerusalem. The prophet describes a scene of chaos and distress, with the city's inhabitants fleeing and the warriors crying in despair. This is not a vision of hope, but one of imminent catastrophe and downfall. The prophet laments the complacency and revelry of the people, who instead of turning to God in their time of trouble, are engrossed in feasting and merrymaking. The people's disregard for God's warning and their failure to repent is a dominant theme in this chapter.
The prophet Isaiah then describes a siege of Jerusalem. The city's leaders, instead of seeking God's help, try to fortify the city using their own resources and strategies. They count their weapons, repair their walls, and build a reservoir to ensure a water supply during the siege. However, they fail to look to the "maker thereof," God, who had actually planned this day of disaster. This narrative emphasizes the folly of relying on human strength and wisdom in the face of divine judgment. It serves as a stark reminder that true security and salvation can only come from God.
The second part of the chapter focuses on Shebna, the treasurer of King Hezekiah's court. Shebna is portrayed as a proud and arrogant official who is more concerned with his own legacy than with serving God or his people. He is seen building a grand tomb for himself, a symbol of his pride and self-importance. Through Isaiah, God delivers a stern rebuke to Shebna, predicting his downfall and disgrace. He will be replaced by Eliakim, a faithful servant of God, who will be given Shebna's authority and honor. This narrative underscores the theme of God's judgment against pride and self-reliance.
Eliakim is described as being given the "key of the house of David," which symbolizes authority and responsibility. This key gives him the power to open doors that no one can shut, and to shut doors that no one can open. This is a metaphor for God's ultimate control over events and destinies. Eliakim's appointment serves as a contrast to Shebna's downfall, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment and the reward of faithfulness.
Isaiah chapter 22 carries a profound message of repentance, faith, and reliance on God. It serves as a warning to those who trust in their own strength and wisdom, and neglect to acknowledge God's sovereignty. The chapter is a reminder that pride leads to downfall, while humility and faithfulness bring honor and blessing. It teaches that true security and salvation are found not in human schemes and plans, but in God's providence and grace.
In the midst of the prophetic warnings and historical narratives, the chapter also offers a glimmer of hope. Despite the city's impending doom and Shebna's disgrace, there is the promise of a faithful steward in Eliakim who will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah. This speaks of God's compassion and His promise to raise up righteous leaders for His people, even in times of judgment and distress.
Ultimately, Isaiah chapter 22 is a call to repentance and faith. It invites us to turn from our self-reliance and pride, and to trust in God's wisdom and providence. It encourages us to seek God's guidance in times of trouble, to humble ourselves before Him, and to serve Him faithfully. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was in the days of Isaiah.
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