Isa 22:9 | KingComments | STEP | What is described in this section took place in the time of Hezekiah ( ; ). This section describes how all kinds of precautions are taken to defend themselves against a possible attack from Assyria. A city that foresees a long siege has much to arrange. They have to provide weapon supplies ( ), water supplies ( ) and reinforcement of the walls ( ). Their precautions are good and appropriate. The wrong thing is that they only “depend” on that, only look out for that ( ), instead of trusting in God. With the people there is no faith, they do “not depend on Him who made it” ( ). They do not think that all this comes over them from His hand, to bring them to repentance. They look to human certainties and not to the LORD. They simply do not see Him. This last section applies especially to the antichrist, the coming leader of Israel, who has to defend his land against the Assyrians, the coming king of the North. This antichrist will put his trust in an alliance with the beast, the powerful leader of the united Europe. But it is in vain. What protects Jerusalem will be removed ( ), but they do not depend on Him Who did this ( ). The people do not listen to the rod and to Him Who has destined it for them. Ultimately, the LORD will use the king of the North as an instrument to remove the antichrist, the false king of Israel ( ). The lesson of these verses is important. What we want to do in our own strength is useless and devastating. Only what we do in God’s power and guided by Him has a favorable effect. Evil can never be countered with means we have acquired through human wisdom. Forgetting God leads to a reliance on human resources and means, which will inevitably end in disappointment and misery.

‏ Isaiah 22:9

The LORD Ignored

What is described in this section took place in the time of Hezekiah (2Kgs 20:12-21; 2Chr 32:2-7 ; 30). This section describes how all kinds of precautions are taken to defend themselves against a possible attack from Assyria. A city that foresees a long siege has much to arrange. They have to provide weapon supplies (Isa 22:8), water supplies (Isa 22:9) and reinforcement of the walls (Isa 22:10).

Their precautions are good and appropriate. The wrong thing is that they only “depend” on that, only look out for that (Isa 22:8), instead of trusting in God. With the people there is no faith, they do “not depend on Him who made it” (Isa 22:11). They do not think that all this comes over them from His hand, to bring them to repentance. They look to human certainties and not to the LORD. They simply do not see Him.

This last section applies especially to the antichrist, the coming leader of Israel, who has to defend his land against the Assyrians, the coming king of the North. This antichrist will put his trust in an alliance with the beast, the powerful leader of the united Europe. But it is in vain. What protects Jerusalem will be removed (Isa 22:8), but they do not depend on Him Who did this (Isa 22:11). The people do not listen to the rod and to Him Who has destined it for them. Ultimately, the LORD will use the king of the North as an instrument to remove the antichrist, the false king of Israel (Isa 22:15-19).

The lesson of these verses is important. What we want to do in our own strength is useless and devastating. Only what we do in God’s power and guided by Him has a favorable effect. Evil can never be countered with means we have acquired through human wisdom. Forgetting God leads to a reliance on human resources and means, which will inevitably end in disappointment and misery.