Bible Commentaries

THE INEXPIABLE SIN OF ISRAEL

‘This iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die.’

Isaiah 22:14

I. In this first half of the discourse directed to the whole of Jerusalem, the prophet assails the presumption with which the inhabitants formerly witnessed the approach of the enemy on an occasion not more closely specified.—He asks the meaning of their going up to the roofs of the houses. It was plainly in order to see the approaching foe, although the prophet does not expressly say this (Isaiah 22:1). But the noise which prevailed in the streets, and the universal gaiety, prove that the enemy was not regarded with apprehension, but with proud defiance (Isaiah 22:2). In contrast with this presumption stands the result which the prophet proceeds to depict. He sees the slain and prisoners of all ranks who fell into the hands of the enemy, not in manly conflict, but in cowardly flight (Isaiah 22:3). A second contrast to that insolent gaiety is formed by the profound sorrow which the prophet himself now feels as he looks upon the ruin of the daughter of his people (Isaiah 22:4). For the Lord Himself brings the day of destruction on Jerusalem, while He employs as His instruments for this purpose distant nations terribly equipped for war, as whose representatives only Elam and Kir are named (Isaiah 22:6-7).

II. The inhabitants of Jerusalem are now no longer inspired by thoughtless presumption.—They see themselves compelled by this new emergency to consider seriously their means of defence. First, they inspect the store of weapons in the arsenal (Isaiah 22:8). They examine the fortifications, and collect water in the lower pool (Isaiah 22:9). They pull down houses in order to repair the walls (Isaiah 22:10), and they form a new reservoir. But to Him Who has caused this distress, and Who alone can remove it, they do not turn their eyes (Isaiah 22:11). And when He brings upon them bitter misery (Isaiah 22:12), the only effect of it is that, with the recklessness of despair, they give themselves eagerly to pleasure, because all will soon be over (Isaiah 22:13). But this defiant spirit, exhibited no longer in blindness, but in sight of danger, the Lord will not pardon. They must expiate it with their life (Isaiah 22:14).

‘HE THAT OPENETH … AND THAT SHUTTETH’

‘The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder.’

Isaiah 22:22

I. The Divine Man stands behind the earthly type in these words in majestic beauty.—‘These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth. Behold I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut.’ Words of incomparable splendour, capable of endless application.

II. Let Jesus open each day of service, each opportunity of ministry, each door into another year; each new chamber of life, and knowledge and opportunity, and remember that He Who sets before us open doors is He Who knows our works, and that we have but little strength. He will not open a door leading into a passage of life beyond our strength to tread. The open door will reveal to us possibilities within our reach of which we had not dreamt, and when once a door is opened, though access to it may be beset, as in Bunyan’s vision, by armed men, and though strong pressure is brought to hear upon it, for its closing let us dare to persevere against disease and pestilence and opposition, relying on these sublime words, ‘None shall shut.’ Dear soul! say it to thyself repeatedly, ‘None shall shut.’

III. But the Lord shuts doors.—The Spirit of Jesus ‘suffered them not’ to go into Bithynia. Down a long corridor of closed doors we may sometimes have to pass. It seems heartbreaking to see doors labelled Friendship, Love, Home, shut against us, but beyond them there is the one unclosed door through which we shall enter our true life.