8 The Lord stripped away the defenses of Judah, and you looked in that day to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest.
8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
8 He has taken away the covering of Judah.In that day you looked to the weapons of the House of the Forest,
8 God has left Judah exposed and defenseless.
8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest;
8 Judah's defenses have been stripped away. You run to the armory for your weapons.
9 You saw that the walls of the City of David were broken through in many places; you stored up water in the Lower Pool.
9 Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
9 and you saw that the breaches of the city of David were many. You collected the waters of the lower pool,
9 You found the weak places in the city walls that needed repair. You secured the water supply at the Lower Pool.
9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
9 You inspect the breaks in the walls of Jerusalem. You store up water in the lower pool.
(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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 22:8
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.