Isaiah 22 Devotional

Planning Without the Planner

“You built a reservoir between the walls for the waters of the ancient pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or consider Him who planned it long ago.”Isaiah 22:11 (BSB)

Jerusalem is celebrating on its rooftops while the prophet weeps (22:1-4). Enemies gather, and the city scrambles: inspecting the weapons, counting houses to tear down for the walls, building a reservoir for water. But in all their planning they never look to the God who had shaped these events long before (22:8-11). God calls for mourning and repentance, and they answer with a feast, as if coming death made nothing matter (22:12-13). The problem is not preparation. It is preparation without God.

The second half turns to two officials. Shebna, busy carving a grand tomb for himself, is removed, and Eliakim receives his robe, his authority, and the key to the house of David, with power no one can overrule (22:15-22). Yet even Eliakim, fixed firmly like a peg, eventually gives way under everything hung on him (22:25). No human office can carry that weight forever. Revelation says Jesus now holds the key of David (Revelation 3:7). Your plans are safest in conversation with the one whose hold never slips.

To think about: In what plan or problem have you been working hard without looking to God, and how could you bring him into it today?