Devastation of Jerusalem

Isaiah 22:1–14
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We cannot be certain which Assyrian invasion Isaiah was speaking of in these verses. God would deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians; but He would not deliver them from Babylon. Isaiah points out that the sin of unbelief will cause Judah to decline and to be brought into captivity in Babylon. The expression “Valley of Vision” has been understood by many commentators as reference to Jerusalem (v. 1). In Isaiah’s day, Jerusalem was a “joyous city” (v. 2) with the people engaged in all kinds of celebrations (Isa. 5:11-13). He saw people dying, not from battle wounds, but from famine and disease (v. 2). He saw the nations’ rulers fleeing in fear as the enemy approached (vv. 3-7). The people would do everything humanly possible to prepare for a long siege (vv 8-10). He saw them collecting armor, fortifying the walls, by building a reservoir between the walls (v. 11). But all of this preparation would not deliver them from the enemy.

Instead of feasting they should have been fasting; weeping and putting on sackcloth (v. 12). God had sent the nation many prophets to warn them, but the people would not listen. Now it was too late; their sins could not be forgiven because their hearts were hard. Their philosophy was, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die” (v. 13). However, Isaiah did not participate in the parties, for he saw a day when death and destruction would reign. God had given him a vision. This passage ends with one of the Bible’s most terrifying sentences when it says, “I won’t forgive them for this, not as long as they live” (v. 14).

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