Isaiah 22:6-14 – Trusting in Themselves
We see in this terrible siege that the invading army was strong, very strong. In verses 6-7, Elam bore the quiver, and Kir uncovered the shield. These are Persians in the employ of the Babylonians.
We go on to read in verses 8-11 about one of the problems at the Valley of Vision. When the people saw that war was coming upon them, they made preparations. They got weapons from the House of the Forest which was the armoury. They made a reservoir, so they would have water in a siege. Does God condemn them for doing any of this? No. As we read in verse 11, they left off one thing, and the most important thing of all: they did not look to their Maker. We first look to God. We first cry out to Him when we are in trouble. We first look to Him for deliverance. And only then do we use those things which God has already given us to help us. But there was no looking to God at all. No looking to his King, the Lord Jesus Christ. No, they went on depending in their own strength, depending in their own might, depending in their own presumption, depending on all sorts of things. What a dangerous course for the people of God to take!
In verse 12 God is calling for them to listen to His Word, to listen to His warnings, to believe them, to believe on Jesus Christ, and to turn around from their wickedness and repent. But they refused. Instead, in verse 13, they continue in their sin and continue in their revelry. Here we have a people who are called the people of God. They think they are the special ones in all the earth. But despite all of it, the wisdom of Solomon, the strength and ability, the power, and whatever else they had, God brought them to destruction. We see God’s great anger here. Sinners were cut off. But that was not all, because the Godly were preserved. The Godly were delivered from the wicked around them. Some years later, the Godly were restored to the land. Destruction came, and hardship came. But out of it, much good, much blessing, much glory.
Questions
- What were the people trusting in?
- What did God call them to do?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would look to God first in all things.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.