Isaiah 22:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to him who did it, or see him who planned it long ago.

NIV: You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.

NASB: And you made a reservoir between the two walls For the waters of the old pool. But you did not depend on Him who made it, Nor did you take into consideration Him who planned it long ago.

CSB: You made a reservoir between the walls for the water of the ancient pool, but you did not look to the one who made it, or consider the one who created it long ago.

NLT: Between the city walls, you build a reservoir for water from the old pool. But you never ask for help from the One who did all this. You never considered the One who planned this long ago.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.

The Assyrians—or the Babylonians, if Isaiah is looking forward in time—intended to take Jerusalem by force. Everyone knew their enemy's first strategy would be to lay siege to the city. Isaiah has been listing everything the king and the people did to prepare for that siege (Isaiah 22:8–10).

The people of Jerusalem inspected and distributed the weapons. They checked the walls for breaches. They redirected springs from outside the city walls to flow inside the city so they would not run out of water. They tore down homes between the inner and outer walls for the safety of the citizens. This building material was then used to repair the breaches in the wall.

Now Isaiah adds that they made a reservoir of water between these two inner and outer walls. This may have served the purpose of adding another obstacle for enemies who managed to get through the wall. It could have also provided a back-up water supply for the city.

The prophet doesn't fault the king or people of Jerusalem for any of these practical actions. It makes sense to physically prepare for an enemy invasion. What he does fault them for is not looking to the Lord for help. The people were so focused on what they could do tangibly that they didn't ask the Lord to do what He could for them. God's people continue to make the same mistake today, demonstrating lack of faith by not asking God for help when we need it the most.

This statement is concluded by declaring that the Lord planned this siege long ago. It is no surprise to Him. What He wants is for His people to trust Him. The Lord God again wants His people to rely on Him alone. And yet His people will continue to look to other nations and their gods for their salvation.

Commentators who believe Isaiah is pointing forward to Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem find support in this verse. King Hezekiah, himself, did look to the Lord when the Assyrians were coming (Isaiah 37:14–20). That may contrast with this verse, where Isaiah is clarifying that the people did not look to the Lord.

Chapter 22:1–14 describes how the people of Jerusalem partied and feasted in the face of certain destruction during a siege. Isaiah condemns them, especially for failing to mourn and cry out to the Lord for help when all seemed lost. He weeps for those who have died. The prophet calls the people to soberly understand what has happened to them instead of partying on their rooftops. The Lord says that the sins of the people in this moment will not be atoned for until they die.

Isaiah presents a prophecy against the city of Jerusalem: "the valley of vision." The prophet condemns the people for partying, perhaps following an astonishing deliverance from the Lord. Instead, they should remember all who died. They should be sobered to realize how helpless they had been. When destruction seemed certain, they should have mourned and cried out to the Lord to save them. Instead, they reveled like nothing mattered. The Lord condemns the steward of the king's house for carving out his tomb instead of trusting God. He puts a man named Eliakim in that position. Eliakim serves with great integrity, faithfulness, and excellence. Yet, he, too, falls away.

Isaiah has recorded several prophecies in preceding chapters. These spoke of nations such as Egypt as well as various tribes. Chapter 22 is an oracle against the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah condemns the people for celebrating instead of mourning and seeking the Lord's help. This could be either before or after a great siege of the city. The prophet weeps for the lost and calls the people to repent. The Lord condemns the king's steward for faithlessness. His replacement, Eliakim, serves with strength and integrity. The next oracles concern Tyre and Sydon, before addressing the entire world.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).