Conspiracies That Would Fail (21:1-22:25)
Neal Pollard
Throughout this entire section of Isaiah, the prophet introduces a series of material by referring to “the oracle” concerning a nation or, in one instance here, an individual. This word means burden, pronouncement, and refers to a punishment from God. The reasons vary, but each is a warning designed especially for Judah to heed (though the warnings are about the fall or judgment on foreign nations).
Here in chapters 21 and 22, Isaiah weaves four of these within a common theme. James Smith calls it “worldly schemes,” adding, “These oracles share a visionary character. The nations addressed manifested a defiant attitude toward impending calamity” (Major Prophets, 69). Notice Isaiah’s address to four distinct people.
“The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea” (21:1-10). At first glance, this statement is confusing because it obviously concerns Babylon (which is landlocked). Commentators variously mention its canals or marshes amid its major rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, which would become dried by winds (1). But the point of the oracle seems to be the great fall of the once-proud Babylon (see a similar set up in chapter 13 concerning Babylon), captured by Isaiah’s statement, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground” (9). God would thresh them like grain (10).
“The oracle concerning Dumah” (21:11-12). It is unclear who Dumah is, a nation or a name. The entire, short oracle centers around a dialogue with a “watchman.” Isaiah is the watchman, and Edom (indicated by “Seir”) wants to know “what time it is” relative to the prophesy given. Isaiah gives him no clear answer, but invites him to inquire again later.
“The oracle concerning Arabia” (21:13-17). The Arabian Desert is a region rather than a nation, including, incidentally, the area of Edom just addressed. The subjects of the oracle are fugitives, whether displaced refugees or caravans of people. Whatever their origin, they are fleeing from an attacking enemy that comes against them with swords (15) and bows (17). God’s message is these attacking invaders will not thrive long at all (16-17). The sword and bow are no match for the matchless power of God!
“The oracle concerning the valley of vision” (22:1-14). It is odd to refer to Jerusalem as a valley, since it sat on Mount Zion overlooking multiple valleys. This oracle appears to refer to the historical events Isaiah returns to when Assyria unsuccessfully attacks Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah (ch. 36ff). When that happens, the city would rejoice (2), but Isaiah foresees the fall of this city and the nation of Judah when Babylon invades, captures, and kills the people just a few years later (3-6). Isaiah writes, “He has taken away the cover of Judah” (7). The destruction of Jerusalem is alluded to in graphic terms (8-11) and the great lamentation that would follow (12-14). Their eat, drink and be merry attitude, rather than broken-hearted repentance, insured their coming punishment (13-14).
Isaiah ends this difficult section with a prophesy against a man rather than a nation. The identity of Shebna is somewhat enigmatic. It is suggested that “As palace administrator, Shebna was cursed by Isaiah the prophet for constructing an ostentatious tomb for himself (Isa. 22:15–25). The prophet threatened Shebna with deportation (vv. 17–18) and loss of his office, which was to be given to Eliakim the son of Hilkiah ” (Myers, Eerdmans, 934). The problem with this man was that he was accumulating honor for himself rather than doing so for God.
Isaiah is foreseeing difficult days ahead for people too caught up in this world to see their dependency on God. The things they think will endure are going to collapse and fall, while the things that will endure are ignored and devalued by them. These words are an attempt by God through His prophet to wake the complacent up and get them to repent and rely upon Him before He judges them through nations He will use to accomplish His purpose.
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