In 22:1 we see this is an oracle against the "valley of vision." What is that? Who is he talking about?
John Wesley commented: "The valley-Of Judah; and especially of Jerusalem, called a valley, because great part of it flood in a valley; and the valley of vision, because of the many and clear visions or revelations of God's mind, in that place."
Matthew Henry has a little more to say:
"Fitly enough is Jerusalem called a valley, for the mountains were round about it, and the land of Judah abounded with fruitful valleys; and by the judgments of God, though they had been as a towering mountain, they should be brought low, sunk and depressed, and become dark and dirty, as a valley. But most emphatically is it called a valley of vision because there God was known and his name was great, there the prophets were made acquainted with his mind by visions, and there the people saw the goings of their God and King in his sanctuary. Babylon, being a stranger to God, though rich and great, was called the desert of the sea; but Jerusalem, being entrusted with his oracles, is a valley of vision."
How can they be so sure it's talking about Jerusalem and Judah? In verse 4 Isaiah calls them the "daughter of my people" and in verse 8 "Jerusalem." The context of the chapter tells us what nation is being considered.
In 22:9-11 we see Judah would work madly to save Jerusalem, even to the point of tearing down their own houses to patch up the walls of the city. But they would fail to ask God for help! Isn't that common among us humans? We have a plan. We're working our plan. Our plan goes wrong, so we try this way and that way and every way WE can think of to patch up our plan...but so often ask God for help after we've exhausted every idea WE could think up. And sometimes we don't ever ask for His help. Let this be a reminder to us!
Chapter 23 is the oracle against Tyre.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it at our house tomorrow at 5:00! See you there.