221 The oracle concerning the valley of vision . What is the matter with you now , that you have all gone up to the housetops ? 2 You who were full of noise , You boisterous town , you exultant city ; Your slain were not slain with the sword , Nor did they die in battle . 3 All your rulers have fled together , And have been captured without the bow ; All of you who were found were taken captive together , Though they had fled far away. 4 Therefore e I say , "Turn your eyes away from me, Let me weep bitterly , Do not try to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people ." 5 For the Lord GOD of hosts has a day of panic , subjugation and confusion In the valley of vision , A breaking down of walls And a crying to the mountain . 6 Elam took up the quiver With the chariots , infantry and horsemen ; And Kir uncovered the shield . 7 Then your choicest valleys were full of chariots , And the horsemen took up fixed positions at the gate .
8 And He removed the defense of Judah . In that day you depended on the weapons of the house of the forest , 9 And you saw that the breaches In the wall of the city of David were many ; And you collected the waters of the lower pool . 10 Then you counted the houses of Jerusalem And tore down houses to fortify the wall . 11 And you made a reservoir between the two walls For the waters of the old pool . But you did not depend on Him who made it, Nor did you take into consideration Him who planned it long ago . 12 Therefore in that day the Lord GOD of hosts called you to weeping , to wailing , To shaving the head and to wearing sackcloth . 13 Instead, there is gaiety and gladness , Killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep , Eating of meat and drinking of wine : " Let us eat and drink , for tomorrow we may die ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 22:1-13
Commentary on Isaiah 22:1-7
(Read Isaiah 22:1-7)
Why is Jerusalem in such terror? Her slain men are not slain with the sword, but with famine; or, slain with fear, disheartened. Their rulers fled, but were overtaken. The servants of God, who foresee and warn sinners of coming miseries, are affected by the prospect. But all the horrors of a city taken by storm, faintly shadow forth the terrors of the day of wrath.
Commentary on Isaiah 22:8-14
(Read Isaiah 22:8-14)
The weakness of Judah now appeared more than ever. Now also they discovered their carnal confidence and their carnal security. They looked to the fortifications. They made sure of water for the city. But they were regardless of God in all these preparations. They did not care for his glory in what they did. They did not depend upon him for a blessing on their endeavours. For every creature is to us what God makes it to be; and we must bless him for it, and use it for him. There was great contempt of God's wrath and justice, in contending with them. God's design was to humble them, and bring them to repentance. They walked contrary to this. Actual disbelief of another life after this, is at the bottom of the carnal security and brutish sensuality, which are the sin, the shame, and ruin of so great a part of mankind. God was displeased at this. It is a sin against the remedy, and it is not likely they should ever repent of it. Whether this unbelief works by presumption or despair, it produces the same contempt of God, and is a token that a man will perish wilfully.