Introduction
The oracle against Jerusalem ch. 22
As in the first series of oracles, God’s people occupy the fourth place in this second series, which points further into the future, surrounded by the nations of the world. In the first series the Northern Kingdom was in view, but in the second series Judah takes the spotlight. Three aspects of life in Judah receive separate attention in this chapter: the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:1-14), the individual Shebna (Isaiah 22:15-19), and the family of Eliakim (Isaiah 22:20-25). All three sections reveal the thoroughness of Israel’s sin of seeking security in the world rather than in the Lord, namely: self-sufficiency.
". . . Jerusalem is found cannibalizing itself to make itself safe, without a thought of looking to the Lord (Isaiah 22:8-11); Shebna is portrayed as the man concerned only for his own worldly glory, before and after death (Isaiah 22:16-18); and Eliakim is at risk of becoming the focal point of the security of others to his own and their downfall (Isaiah 22:23-24)." [Note: Motyer, p. 180.]
The first part of the oracle deals with self-sufficient Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:1-14). At present there was joy in the city (Isaiah 22:1-2 a), but in the future there would be sorrow (Isaiah 22:2-7). Past actions (Isaiah 22:8-11) had produced the present joy, and they determined future consequences (Isaiah 22:12-14).
Be the first to react on this!
