Isaiah 22
McGeeCHAPTER 22THEME: The burden of the valley of vision (Jerusalem); the history of Shebna and EliakimThis burden evidently refers to Jerusalem, as we shall point out under the comments on the verses. The burdens began way off at a distance in Babylon, and they have continued to come nearer to Jerusalem. Now the storm breaks in all of its fury upon the Holy City.
Isaiah 22:1
BURDEN OF JERUSALEMThe “valley of vision” refers to Jerusalem, as verses Isa_22:4, Isa_22:8, Isa_22:9, and Isa_22:10 imply. The expression, “valley of vision,” is another of Isaiah’s paradoxical statements. Mountain of vision would be understood, because the mountain is the place of the far view. Moses stood on Mount Nebo to view the Land of Promise. Our Lord looked over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. But in Scripture a valley symbolizes a place of sorrow, humbleness, and death. Because the vision here is one of sorrow and coming battle, the valley is the proper place for this vision. Curiosity and fear send people to the housetop to inquire about the approaching danger. See the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in Isaiah 36 and 37. In the last siege our Lord warns these people to leave the housetops and flee (see Mat_24:16-17).
Isaiah 22:4
“My people” are, of course, the people of Israel.
Isaiah 22:9
Hezekiah actually took these precautions in defending Jerusalem (see 2 Chron. 32). One of the things he did was to put a wall around the fountain so that the city would not run out of water. You can still see it in the land today. This section refers to the future. As Dr. F. C. Jennings puts it, “The history eventuated in the deliverance of Jerusalem, the prophecy in its capture; therefore the history does not fulfill it.” Just what siege and enemy is in the mind of the prophet? Persia is mentioned by name, but Jerusalem was in ruins while Persia was in power. Apparently all the enemies who have come up against Jerusalem are before us here, from the Assyrians, who only laid a siege but did not enter the city, to the last enemy from the north who will threaten the city but will not enter. The interval between these two has seen this city captured more than any other. This is the burden of Jerusalem.
Isaiah 22:15
BRIEF FROM THE CASE OF SHEBNA AND ELIAKIMThe unusual insertion at this point of an historical document out of the archives of Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah is worth noting. Many have seen a picture of the Antichrist in Shebna, while Eliakim sets before us none other than the Lord Jesus Christ who will supplant the Antichrist in this world. Shebna was secretary of the treasury, a cheap politician under Hezekiah. Apparently he was misappropriating funds (see 2Ki_18:18; 2Ki_19:2; Isa_36:3; Isa_37:2).
Isaiah 22:16
Shebna was building a tomb to perpetuate his name. It was ironical, as he was to die and be buried in a foreign land (vv. Isa_22:17-18).
Isaiah 22:19
Shebna, I think, is just an adumbration of Antichrist.
Isaiah 22:20
Eliakim was the statesman who succeeded Shebna. Eliakim was an unselfish man. He and Shebna are in contrast here. Isaiah has brought together these men who are more than paradoxesthey are opposites. Shebna pictures the Antichrist, and Eliakim pictures Christ. The language is typical.
Isaiah 22:22
This verse reminds us of the words of Christ in the New Testament: “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth” (Rev_3:7). How wonderful it is, my friend, to place our lives in the hands of Him who is able to close or open any door!
Isaiah 22:23
Our salvation likewise hangs on Him.
Isaiah 22:25
“In that day” refers to the Great Tribulation period, as we have seen, and this verse refers to Shebna as he pictures the Antichrist. A great many people will put their trust in the Antichrist who is to come. They will look to him for help. They will think he is Christ, but he will be just a nail that will fall. My friend, have you ever had that experience? You drive a good nail into the wall, hang a heavy coat on it, and it comes down. The Lord Jesus Christ is the nail in a sure place. Shebna was a nail that came down, and so will all others who are like him. Are you hanging everything you’ve got on the nail that is in a sure place? Many people are not. They are hanging everything they have on something that is not sure. For instance, they make investments. A man told me, “I trusted a lawyer, and he made a mistake.” He wasn’t a nail in a sure place. Some folk have even trusted a preacher and have found that he was not a nail in a sure place. Only Christ is a nail in a sure place. I hope you are hanging your life and everything you have on Him.