Isa 22:6 | KingComments | STEP | Isaiah 21 speaks about the appearance of Christ. Both Babylon (Europe) and Assyria (the king of the North) are destroyed in a supernatural way in the north of Israel, near Megiddo or Har-Magedon. Then Isaiah 22 takes us to the establishment of the throne of David in Jerusalem by Christ. But first we see how the antichrist, who is the king of Israel during the great tribulation, is dethroned ( ; cf. ) during the destruction of Israel by the king of the North. These end-time prophecies are illustrated by their pre-fulfillment when Jerusalem is destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar at the time of King Zedekiah. We also see this pre-fulfillment in this chapter in the deposition of Shebna, prophetically a type of the antichrist, in whose place then comes Eliakim, prophetically a type of Christ, Who then starts to reigns in Jerusalem. We can only understand the burden of Jerusalem, here called “the valley of vision” ( ; cf. ), in this chapter if we see its prophetic fulfillment. Otherwise, this prophecy of Jerusalem, after Isaiah 7-12, seems superfluous and inappropriate in the midst of the judgments on the nations. Although the city is not literally in a valley, it is surrounded by mountains ( ). The name is connected with the Kidron valley near Jerusalem. A spectacle makes the inhabitants climb on the rooftops, so as not to miss anything of the spectacle. Baffled, Isaiah wonders what’s the matter with them, of which they are inspired. Can’t they see that judgment is coming? However, they do not want to know about an impending judgment. The danger is ignored and washed away by amusement and that while, Isaiah assures the inhabitants of Jerusalem, judgments will come upon the city ( ). As is so often the case, these are both judgments that are soon coming and judgments that will take place in the end time. In the short term the king of Assyria will enter Judah, but without conquering Jerusalem ( ). Later on Babylon will destroy Jerusalem as a pre-fulfillment of this prophecy. The full fulfillment will take place when the prophetic Assyrians, the king of the North, come to destroy Jerusalem. The humiliation will be great. Rulers will flee so that the army is adrift ( ). No one will escape, no matter how far they have fled. Isaiah is baffled when he sees the destruction of the city before his mind ( ). Jerusalem was not taken by Assyria in his days, the days of Hezekiah. By a wonder of God’s merciful intervention the city was spared. However, it did not bring the inhabitants of the city to repent and return to God. Therefore, the city will be destroyed, which will be done by Nebuchadnezzar. Isaiah is so deeply impressed by this that he does not want to be comforted. His sorrow is so great that he cannot let anyone share in it. He knows that this destruction comes from the LORD ( ) and is therefore righteous, but also so fierce. We see here that God has no joy in the judgment He has to bring on anyone of His creatures. He must certainly judge, but at the same time it is His strange work ( ). The same Spirit through Whom the prophet sees the suffering to come leads him to weep over it. We also see this in Him, Who is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature ( ). He sheds tears when He sees the suffering that will come over Jerusalem and is saddened by the hardness of heart that makes the city refuse to hide under His wings ( ; ). And we too must never speak with a cold heart, without sympathy, about the terrible eternal punishment that will be inflicted on anyone who refuses to repent. Isaiah sees the enemy preparing to invade the land ( ). The weapons are taken up and the fighting force is assembled. From strategically located areas such as Elam, in southwest of Persia, and Kir, in north of Persia, the Medes, the armies of Assyria will enter Judah. There they will fill the most beautiful valleys of Judah with their armies ( ). The beautiful sight will turn into a scene full of menace. They will array themselves opposite the gate of Jerusalem. As with the king of the North in the future, the army of Assyria that attacks Jerusalem consists of an alliance of many peoples. Elam and Kir are also part of this alliance ( ). Elam (Persia) is known for his archers, while Kir (Medes) with uncovered shields is ready for battle.

‏ Isaiah 22:6

Introduction

Isaiah 21 speaks about the appearance of Christ. Both Babylon (Europe) and Assyria (the king of the North) are destroyed in a supernatural way in the north of Israel, near Megiddo or Har-Magedon. Then Isaiah 22 takes us to the establishment of the throne of David in Jerusalem by Christ. But first we see how the antichrist, who is the king of Israel during the great tribulation, is dethroned (Isa 22:19; cf. Zec 11:17) during the destruction of Israel by the king of the North.

These end-time prophecies are illustrated by their pre-fulfillment when Jerusalem is destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar at the time of King Zedekiah. We also see this pre-fulfillment in this chapter in the deposition of Shebna, prophetically a type of the antichrist, in whose place then comes Eliakim, prophetically a type of Christ, Who then starts to reigns in Jerusalem.

Ignoring the Coming Judgment

We can only understand the burden of Jerusalem, here called “the valley of vision” (Isa 22:1; cf. Jer 21:13), in this chapter if we see its prophetic fulfillment. Otherwise, this prophecy of Jerusalem, after Isaiah 7-12, seems superfluous and inappropriate in the midst of the judgments on the nations. Although the city is not literally in a valley, it is surrounded by mountains (Psa 125:2a). The name is connected with the Kidron valley near Jerusalem.

A spectacle makes the inhabitants climb on the rooftops, so as not to miss anything of the spectacle. Baffled, Isaiah wonders what’s the matter with them, of which they are inspired. Can’t they see that judgment is coming? However, they do not want to know about an impending judgment. The danger is ignored and washed away by amusement and that while, Isaiah assures the inhabitants of Jerusalem, judgments will come upon the city (Isa 22:2).

As is so often the case, these are both judgments that are soon coming and judgments that will take place in the end time. In the short term the king of Assyria will enter Judah, but without conquering Jerusalem (2Kgs 18:13). Later on Babylon will destroy Jerusalem as a pre-fulfillment of this prophecy. The full fulfillment will take place when the prophetic Assyrians, the king of the North, come to destroy Jerusalem. The humiliation will be great. Rulers will flee so that the army is adrift (Isa 22:3). No one will escape, no matter how far they have fled.

Isaiah is baffled when he sees the destruction of the city before his mind (Isa 22:4). Jerusalem was not taken by Assyria in his days, the days of Hezekiah. By a wonder of God’s merciful intervention the city was spared. However, it did not bring the inhabitants of the city to repent and return to God. Therefore, the city will be destroyed, which will be done by Nebuchadnezzar. Isaiah is so deeply impressed by this that he does not want to be comforted. His sorrow is so great that he cannot let anyone share in it. He knows that this destruction comes from the LORD (Isa 22:5) and is therefore righteous, but also so fierce.

We see here that God has no joy in the judgment He has to bring on anyone of His creatures. He must certainly judge, but at the same time it is His strange work (Isa 28:21). The same Spirit through Whom the prophet sees the suffering to come leads him to weep over it.

We also see this in Him, Who is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature (Heb 1:2-3). He sheds tears when He sees the suffering that will come over Jerusalem and is saddened by the hardness of heart that makes the city refuse to hide under His wings (Lk 19:41-42; Mt 23:37). And we too must never speak with a cold heart, without sympathy, about the terrible eternal punishment that will be inflicted on anyone who refuses to repent.

Isaiah sees the enemy preparing to invade the land (Isa 22:6). The weapons are taken up and the fighting force is assembled. From strategically located areas such as Elam, in southwest of Persia, and Kir, in north of Persia, the Medes, the armies of Assyria will enter Judah. There they will fill the most beautiful valleys of Judah with their armies (Isa 22:7). The beautiful sight will turn into a scene full of menace. They will array themselves opposite the gate of Jerusalem.

As with the king of the North in the future, the army of Assyria that attacks Jerusalem consists of an alliance of many peoples. Elam and Kir are also part of this alliance (Isa 22:6-7). Elam (Persia) is known for his archers, while Kir (Medes) with uncovered shields is ready for battle.