Isaiah Chapter 22 – The Valley of Vision
Isaiah Chapter 22 shifts from distant nations to Jerusalem itself, referred to as the “Valley of Vision.” Despite being the city of God, Jerusalem is found trusting in fortifications and festivities rather than in repentance and the Lord. The chapter also delivers a specific prophecy against Shebna, a corrupt official, and foretells the rise of Eliakim, a faithful servant—a picture of godly leadership that points to Christ.
Vision Without Sight
✔ Jerusalem is warned for celebrating in the face of danger.
✔ Their reliance on walls and weapons betrays their spiritual blindness.
✔ God seeks repentance but finds revelry.
✔ Shebna, a self-serving official, is removed.
✔ Eliakim is established as a faithful servant and a foreshadowing of Christ.
📖 Isaiah 22:11 – “But ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.”
🔎 In their panic and preparation, they ignored the One who had the power to save.
Isaiah Chapter 22 - Overview
Isaiah 22:1–14 – The Blindness of Jerusalem
📖 Isaiah 22:1 – “The burden of the valley of vision…”
🔎 The term “Valley of Vision” is ironic—Jerusalem should see clearly, but it is spiritually blind. God’s prophets dwell there, yet the people refuse to hear.
📖 Isaiah 22:2 – “Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city…”
🔎 Jerusalem celebrates even as destruction looms. Their joy is not rooted in deliverance—but in denial.
📖 Isaiah 22:5–8 – “It is a day of trouble… uncovering of the house of Judah…”
🔎 Instead of turning to God, Judah places its hope in physical defenses. Their preparations are thorough—but faithless.
📖 Isaiah 22:11 – “But ye have not looked unto the maker thereof…”
🔎 This verse cuts to the heart. They altered the city, strengthened the walls, and stocked the waters—but never looked to the One who gave them breath.
📖 Isaiah 22:12–14 – “And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping… behold joy and gladness…”
🔎 God called for repentance; they responded with parties. This deliberate rejection leads to a sealed judgment—”This iniquity shall not be purged.”
➡️ Spiritual blindness turns blessings into burdens. Repentance is the only escape.
Isaiah 22:15–25 – The Rise and Fall of Leaders
📖 Isaiah 22:15 – “Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna…”
🔎 Shebna is a picture of corrupt leadership—ambitious, self-serving, and prideful. He builds a lavish tomb for himself while his nation faces crisis.
📖 Isaiah 22:17–19 – “He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball…”
🔎 God’s judgment is graphic—Shebna will be violently removed and replaced. No position, however high, is secure apart from righteousness.
📖 Isaiah 22:20–22 – “And it shall come to pass… I will call my servant Eliakim…”
🔎 In contrast, Eliakim is called “my servant.” He becomes a symbol of faithful leadership. The “key of the house of David” placed upon his shoulder is later echoed in Revelation 3:7, pointing to Christ.
📖 Isaiah 22:23–25 – “I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place…”
🔎 Eliakim is secure—but not eternal. The final verse reminds us that even good men fall. Only Christ holds ultimate permanence.
➡️ The fall of prideful leaders and the rise of faithful ones point us to the true King—Jesus Christ.
Isaiah Chapter 22 - Deeper Study
Overview: A Warning to the Holy City
🔹 Timeframe: During Isaiah’s ministry; before Jerusalem’s siege.
🔹 Setting: The city of Jerusalem—spiritually blind in a time of danger.
🔹 Theme: God calls for repentance while leaders fail in faithfulness.
🔹 Connection to Christ: Eliakim foreshadows the true key-bearer—Jesus.
Vision Lost and Gained
Isaiah 22 reminds us that religious heritage is no substitute for living faith. Jerusalem had prophets and promises—but they ignored the call. When leaders lead for self, the city suffers. But when God raises His own servant, hope returns.
🔹 God calls us to see beyond walls—to trust in Him.
🔹 Judgment begins at the house of God.
🔹 Earthly security without divine faith is false safety.
🔹 Corruption must be removed before restoration.
🔹 Jesus holds the key of David—He opens what no man shuts.
➡️ When vision fails, the faithful must still listen. The Lord speaks to those who seek Him.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Religious pride leads to spiritual blindness.
🔑 God calls for repentance, not revelry.
🔑 Corrupt leadership invites divine judgment.
🔑 Faithful servants will be raised—but only Christ endures forever.
🔑 The true key of David belongs to Jesus.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Jerusalem’s fall prefigures later judgments in both AD 70 and the end times.
🔮 The key of David imagery points forward to Christ (Revelation 3:7).
🔮 Shebna’s fall illustrates the removal of self-exalting leaders.
🔮 The sealed iniquity (v. 14) foreshadows the finality of hardened rebellion.
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Jerusalem, though religiously central, often rebelled spiritually.
📜 Shebna likely held the office of royal steward—an influential yet corrupt figure.
📜 Eliakim represents the type of leader God desires—faithful, humble, and called.
📜 Isaiah’s message is both political and deeply spiritual.
Present-Day Reflection: When the City Rejoices in Darkness
Isaiah 22 speaks to our time as well. How often do we rejoice when God calls for repentance? How often do leaders seek legacy instead of humility? This chapter reminds us that no structure, city, or person is safe apart from God.
🔹 Joy without holiness is delusion.
🔹 Leadership is stewardship—not self-promotion.
🔹 God still replaces the proud with the humble.
🔹 True vision begins when we look to the Maker.
🔹 The key is in Christ—who opens the way of truth.
➡️ Let today be a day of repentance, not revelry. The city that turns will be spared.
💡 Final Reflection: Look to the Maker
In a city full of prophets and promises, God found no repentance. He sought sorrow—but heard songs. He looked for tears—but found pride. Let us not repeat their mistake.
📌 Are you trusting in preparation—or in the Provider?
📌 Has God called you to repent while you celebrate?
📌 Will you embrace the servant heart of Christ—or the pride of Shebna?
📖 Isaiah 22:11 – “But ye have not looked unto the maker thereof…”
🔥 When the call to weep goes unheard, judgment cannot be delayed. But when we look to the Maker—He becomes our refuge.
An Oracle Concerning Jerusalem
Isa 22:1 The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
Isa 22:2 Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
Isa 22:3 All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far.
Isa 22:4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
Isa 22:5 For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
Isa 22:6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
Isa 22:7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
Isa 22:8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
Isa 22:9 Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
Isa 22:10 And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
Isa 22:11 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
Isa 22:12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
Isa 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
Isa 22:14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Isa 22:15 Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,
Isa 22:16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?
Isa 22:17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.
Isa 22:18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord’s house.
Isa 22:19 And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.
Isa 22:20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
Isa 22:21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
Isa 22:22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
Isa 22:23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.
Isa 22:24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.
Isa 22:25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Date Written
740–700 BC
Written By
The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz
Language
Hebrew
Verses
25