Isaiah 22:1-14

Jerusalem Rebuked

A severe rebuke of the conduct of the people of Jerusalem in a time of calamity. The crisis refered to cannot be certainly identified. The difficulty in assigning the passage to Sennacherib's invasion (701 b.c.) is that other prophecies relating to it are marked by encouragement, not, as here, by a tone of rebuke. Perhaps the present prophecy should be dated 711, the time of Sargon's invasion.

1-7. The unworthy behaviour of the people of Jerusalem when attack is imminent.

8-11. Every measure is taken for defence except to turn to Jehovah.

12-14. Instead of mourning, they give themselves to reckless revelry. Such conduct must bring destruction as its punishment.