THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for
the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
Isaiah
CHAPTER 22
1 The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
What Isaiah has received from the Lord about other nations he has recorded. Now he records what he sees for "the valley of vision" which is Jerusalem. Jerusalem sits surrounded by mountains, though it is at 2,550 feet in elevation.
What does the prophet Isaia receive from God about Jerusalem?
First, even though they have been warned of danger from the Babylonians, they are upon "the housetops" having parties.
2 Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle. 3 All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far. 4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. 5 For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
They are full of "stirs" - having fun and doing business.
But king Zedekiah, when the Babylonians approached, tried to run away (verse 3).
It was a terrible day when the city was overtaken (verse 4). It was a day which was appointed by "the Lord GOD" due to their sins (verse 5).
6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. 7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate. 8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest. 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. 10 And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall. 11 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago. 12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: 13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. 14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
The warriors were defeated (verse 6) because the Babylonians covered the whole valley with troops (verse 7).
The people depended upon their army and armor (verse 7), and thought they were secure in this easily defended city (verse 8). They even had pools of water to sustain them under attack (verses 9-11).
But God was their defense. He had always been there defense. Friends, God is the defense of any Christian, and any Christian nation. He calls us to repentance as He called them to repentance through the prophets.
But though they heard the prophets, they did not repent. Instead they sought pleasure (verses 12-13).
God had sent judgment many times for His people in the form of deliverance. But now, God's judgment for them is captivity and death (verse 14).
15 Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, 16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? 17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. 18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house. 19 And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.
Shebna was the leader of a group of people who proposed depending upon Egypt for help against the Babylonians (see Isaiah 31:3).
Shebna had purchased a tomb for himself in Jerusalem, but he would not be buried there (verses 16-17). And all his great possessions would be lost (verse 18).
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: 21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. 24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. 25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Shebna was replaced by Eliakim, who had accompanied him in translating what the Assyrians said to Jerusalem (2Kings 18:18). Later, Eliakim was made king to replace Jehoahaz (2Kings 23:34). But he also later fell from his "nail," or "sure place."
When God determined that Judah and Jerusalem would fall, it fell! No alliance with foreign countries, and no provisions for war could stop God's decision! The reason was because Judah and Jerusalem had refused to LISTEN to God!
Let this be a lesson to us in America!
PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.