Exploring the Book of Isaiah
The Valley of Vision: Where Do You Place Your Hope?
In the third installment of our series on Isaiah’s “Pronouncements Concerning the Nations,” we shift our gaze from the distant horizons of global superpowers to the immediate surroundings of Jerusalem. During the eighth century B.C., the geopolitical landscape was shifting like sand. Assyria was an unstoppable tide, capturing Ashdod in 711 B.C. and eventually laying siege to Jerusalem itself in 701 B.C.
In times of such extreme volatility, three questions emerge for the people of God:
- To whom do you entrust your present struggles?
- To whom do you inquire about your future?
- How does God see the destiny of the nations around you?
Through Isaiah 20–23, God provides a stark reality check for Judah and for us today.
1. The Futility of Human Alliances
When Sargon II of Assyria sent his commander to Ashdod, it wasn’t just a military maneuver; it was a message. Philistia had revolted with the hope of Egyptian support, only for Egypt to hand over the Philistine king to the Assyrians in fear.
God commanded Isaiah to perform a startling “living parable”: for three years, the prophet walked “naked and barefoot” (Isaiah 20:2). This was a visual prophecy of the fate of Egypt and Ethiopia. If these great powers—the very ones Judah looked to for protection—were to be led away as humiliated exiles, how could they possibly save Jerusalem?
The Lesson: It is a tragedy to be “terrified and ashamed” because of the things in which we placed our pride (Isaiah 20:5). Whether it is a “long-distance ally” like Babylon or the financial stability of Tyre, human strength is a broken reed. Trust in the God of your salvation.
2. The Failure of Man-Made Defenses
In Isaiah 22, the focus turns to Jerusalem, called the “Valley of Vision.” As the Assyrian threat loomed, the people of Jerusalem were busy. They collected water in the lower pools, counted houses to see which ones to tear down for wall reinforcements, and fortified their reservoirs (Isaiah 22:9–11).
On the surface, this looked like wise preparation. But God’s critique was devastating: “But you did not depend on Him who made it, nor did you take into consideration Him who planned it long ago” (v. 11).
Building a defense is not a sin, but building a defense instead of trusting God is.
- It is like taking medicine but not believing God is the Healer.
- It is like building a house without asking the Lord to be the Architect (Psalm 127:1).
- It is like making plans for tomorrow without considering the Will of God.
3. The Danger of Misplaced Authority
To whom do you go for guidance? In the ancient world, people consulted mediums and spiritists—the “dead on behalf of the living” (Isaiah 8:19). Even the king of Edom (Seir) sent messengers to inquire of Isaiah: “Watchman, how far gone is the night?” (Isaiah 21:11).
Within Jerusalem, the wrong man was in charge of the royal household. Shebna was a self-serving administrator who spent his energy carving a grand tomb for himself while the nation was in crisis. God promised to hurl him away “like a ball” and replace him with Eliakim.
Eliakim is a beautiful prefiguration of Jesus Christ. God promised to put the “key of the house of David on his shoulder”—when he opens, no one shuts; when he shuts, no one opens (Isaiah 22:22). Today, we no longer need to consult mediums or self-serving experts. We consult God through:
- His Word: We read the prophets and apostles.
- His Ministers: We seek godly counsel for practical life.
- His Spirit: We lean on the ultimate “Eliakim,” Jesus, who holds the keys to our future.
Conclusion: A Covenant That Cannot Be Voided
What is the final word for the “Valley of Vision”?
- God’s Covenant is Immutable: God may discipline His people with the “rod of men,” but as He promised David, His favor will not depart (2 Samuel 7:14-15). He punishes to purify, not to destroy.
- God Watches Over His Word: No nation, no matter how powerful, can void God’s promises. Like rain that waters the earth, His Word will accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11).
- Grace Reaches the Nations: Even Tyre, the city of “prostitution” and greed, is mentioned as having a future where its profits become “sacred to the Lord” (Isaiah 23:18). This foreshadows a Gospel that includes the Gentiles—a plan God has had since Abraham.
The world is passing away, and its “man-made” defenses are crumbling. But the one who does the will of God continues forever. The future belongs to God, and the safest place to be is in His hands.
