Isaiah 22:9-14

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

Summary

• This passage describes the wickedness of putting more trust in one's resources and abilities, than in God.

Details and/or Comments

• This lack of trust in God is actually a symptom of deeper issues - an entire lifestyle. Previous chapters in Isaiah show us the spiritual and moral condition of the nation. They were ripe for judgment.

• Views vary as to the occasion for this prophecy. It is compatible with either the Assyrian invasion (701 BC) or the final Babylonian invasion that occurred a century later (588-586 BC). Either way, the wickedness of trusting more in one's resources than in God remains the same.

• God does not show favoritism. We ought to take these things to heart, and consider our own nation's spiritual and moral condition.

--Learning from the Past

Scripture

Isaiah 22:9-14 – Strengthening one's fortresses during the day of judgment, but NOT looking to God.

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Isa 22:9 You saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many; and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. Isa 22:10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. Isa 22:11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. ...	Reinforcing their defenses. In this case, it was an expression of not trusting God for protection. Trust in Humans, Resources and Abilities
... But you didn't look to him who had done this, neither did you have respect for him who purposed it long ago.	NOT looking to the God who has sent the judgment. The Need to Trust God God's providential role in this situation is acknowledged. Providence
Isa 22:12 In that day, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, called you to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to dressing in sackcloth:	When God sends judgment to a nation, the only appropriate response is repentance. Without repentance, strengthening their defenses would be of no avail. Repentance must come first... then deal with the rest. Repentance - In their culture, shaving one's hair and wearing sackcloth were two of the physical ways that repentance would have been expressed. Centuries before this, God warned them that turning to wickedness would result in judgment and (if they didn't repent) destruction. Destruction of Wicked Nations
Isa 22:13 and behold, joy and gladness, killing cattle and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die."	Instead of repentance, they chose to indulge in pleasure and revelry - prodigal living. This attitude demonstrated their worthiness for judgment... and they didn't care! A Prodigal Lifestyle It is a reflection of their values. Values Hierarchy A fatalistic attitude, abandoning one's responsibilities. Fatalistic Attitude
Isa 22:14 Yahweh of Armies revealed himself in my ears, "Surely this iniquity will not be forgiven you until you die," says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies.	There are some consequences that cannot be prevented, once a course of action has been taken. Consequences On a national (or group) level, they rejected the way of life and chose the way of death - iniquity. Therefore they would never be forgiven for this; they would die in judgment. Sin on a National Level On an individual level, forgiveness would be possible if they repented. This would affect their eternal destiny; but in this present life, they would still have to experience the consequences that came because of the group's sins. Forgiveness This passage should be a warning to us. Both Old and New Testaments affirm that certain types of sin cannot be forgiven. Unforgivable Sin

Scripture Passages (Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.) Genesis  •  Exodus  •  Leviticus  •  Numbers  •  Deuteronomy  •  Joshua  •  Judges  •  Ruth  •  1 Samuel  •  2 Samuel  •  1 Kings  •  2 Kings  •  1 Chronicles  •  2 Chronicles  •  Ezra  •  Nehemiah  •  Esther  •  Job  •  Psalms  •  Proverbs  •  Ecclesiastes  •  Song of Solomon  •  Isaiah  •  Jeremiah  •  Lamentations  •  Ezekiel  •  Daniel  •  Hosea  •  Joel  •  Amos  •  Obadiah  •  Jonah  •  Micah  •  Nahum  •  Habakkuk  •  Zephaniah  •  Haggai  •  Zechariah  •  Malachi Matthew  •  Mark  •  Luke  •  John  •  Acts  •  Romans  •  1 Corinthians  •  2 Corinthians  •  Galatians  •  Ephesians  •  Philippians  •  Colossians  •  1 Thessalonians  •  2 Thessalonians  •  1 Timothy  •  2 Timothy  •  Titus  •  Philemon  •  Hebrews  •  James  •  1 Peter  •  2 Peter  •  1 John  •  2 John  •  3 John  •  Jude  •  Revelation

—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.