Isaiah 22:11

It was the *Lord who gave *Jerusalem to David to be his capital (see 2 Samuel 5:6-10). And it was the *Lord who gave the entire country to his people (see Joshua 1:2). The people could not have obtained either the city or the country by their own efforts. So there was no possibility that they could keep them by their own strength.

A time for tears

v12 On that day my master, the *Lord (commander of heaven’s armies), commanded the people to weep and to be sad. They were to shave their heads and to put on *sackcloth. v13 But instead, people were laughing. They were enjoying themselves. They arranged splendid great meals. They had plenty of meat to eat and plenty of *wine to drink. Because people said, ‘Let us have a great party. We could all be dead tomorrow!’ v14 The *Lord (commander of heaven’s armies) himself whispered to me. ‘I shall never forgive such evil behaviour. No, not for as long as they live. I, the *Lord (commander of heaven’s armies), have spoken.’