A City Under Siege

Note: This blog will make up for my afternoon  blog, just in case I can't get to the blog portion to compose one.  I kept on this blog  area, so I could do the afternoon one; but am publishing it now, instead because I have some other things to do on the computer. This is laptop, so I can't do anything else, unless I publish this. O  how I wish I had a desktop. I hate laptops, but someone gave this one to me; and it enabled me to do my blogs, so I cannot be too picky.  Please be patient with me.  Fighting to get a blog done takes me so long to get to the blog page. I can sign in, but to do anything else, takes an act of God lately.  I am so frustrated and stressed, but I can't give up. This is too important.  Thank you everyone. 



In chapter 21 of Isaiah, each of the three judgment messages was introduced with the expression "The pronouncement."  (Isaiah 21:1, 11, 13) Chapter 22 opens the same way:  "The pronouncement of the valley of the vision:  What is the matter with you, then, that you have gone up in your entirety to the roofs."  (Isaiah 22:1)  "The valley of the vision" refers to Jerusalem.  The city is called the valley because even though elevated, it is surrounded by the higher mountains. It is associated with "the vision" because many divine visions and revelations are given there.  For this reason, the city's inhabitants should pay heed to Jehovah's words.  Instead, they have ignored him and have strayed  into false worship.  The enemy besieging the city is an instrument of God's judgment against his wayward people. -Deuteronomy 28:45, 49, 50,52.

Notice that the inhabitants of Jerusalem have 'gone up in their entirety to the roofs' of their houses.  In ancient times, the roofs of Israelite homes were flat and families often congregated there.  Isaiah does not tell whey they do so ont his occasion, but his words indicate disapproval.  Likely, then, they have gone to the roofs to appeal to their false gods.  This is their custom in the years leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in 907 B.C.E.-Jeremiah 19:13; Zephaniah 1:5.

Isaiah continues:  "With turmoil you were full, a boisterous city, an exultant town.  Your slain ones are not those slain with the sword, nor those dead in battle."  (Isaiah 22:2)  Multitudes have flocked  to the city, and it is in turmoil. People in the streets are noisy and fearful.  Some, though, are exulting, perhaps because they feel secure or they believe that the danger is passing.   To exult at this time, however, is foolish.  Many in the city are going to die a death far more cruel than by the edge of the sword.  A city under siege is cut off from outside sources of food.  Stockpiles within the city dwindle. Starving people and crowded conditions lead to epidemics.  Many in Jerusalem will thus die by famine and pestilence.  This happens both in 607 B.C.E. and in 70 C.E. -2 Kings 25:3; Lamentations 4:9, 10.

In this crisis, what lead do Jerusalem's rulers give?  Isaiah answers:  "All  your dictators themselves have fled at one time. Without need of a bow they have been taken prisoner.  All those of you who have been found have been taken prisoner together.  Far off they had run away."  (Isaiah 22:3)  The rulers and the might men run away and are then caught! Without even a bow bending against them, they are captured and led off as prisoners. This happens in 607 B.C.E. After Jerusalem's wall is breached, King Zedekiah flees by night with his mighty men.  The enemy learns of this, pursues them, and catches up with them on the plains of Jericho.  The mighty men scatter.  Zedekiah is seized, blinded, bound in copper fetters, and dragged off to Babylon.  (2 Kings 25:2-7) What a tragic consequence of his unfaithfulness!

Next time: Dismay at the Calamity

From the Book Isaiah's  Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000