When reading through the chapters just preceding the cited verse above, one finds an interesting dichotomy. In chapter 19, one reads that God brings judgment upon the Egyptians, but relents from His wrath when the Egyptians respond to the Lord's judgment with fear and surrender. Whereas they had vaunted themselves in brazen arrogance, feasting upon their status as a powerful nation and the material spoils that come with such dominance, now they "shudder with fear at the uplifted hand of the LORD Almighty against them" (19:16). As God began to punish the Egyptians for their self-consumption, the Egyptians responded with contrition and submission. They would build an altar in the heart of Egypt for the LORD and would cry out for deliverance from their oppressors. The Scriptures record that the LORD would hear the petitions of the Egyptians and would bring a savior to rescue them from their demise. The Egyptians would worship the Lord with sacrifices and offerings and they would make vows to the Lord and faithfully fulfill them. Because the Egyptians responded with surrender to the Lord's chastisement, the Lord would withdraw His punitive measures and would heal their land.
In Isaiah 22, one finds that the Israelites were faced with similar judgment from the Hand of the Lord, presumably for having the same arrogant, self-absorbed disposition as the Egyptians. The Israelites' disdain for the Lord and His commands would bring His wrath in the form of invading pagan armies from the north. Yet even as the defenses of the city of Jerusalem were being breached and the enemies of the Israelites were entering the City of David, the Israelites did not cry out to the Lord. Instead they attempted to remedy their own problems through their own efforts (e.g. they stored up water in reservoirs and strengthened the walls around the city). Still, the Israelites did not repent and surrender themselves to the LORD. Rather than mourning for their chronic rebellion against the Lord, the people feasted in "joy and revelry" . . . deciding that if they were to die, they would go out in style . . . drinking wine and eating rich foods. The LORD determined that such arrogance would not be atoned, and He would bring judgment upon the Israelites for their recalcitrance.
If there is a word of warning for us today, it is the guarantee that the Lord will humble the proud . . . those who would determine to dictate their lives according to their own selfish ways, with no regard for the Lord and His commands. It is only when a nation repents of its sins of rebellion against the Lord that He in turn will heal their land (see 2 Chronicles 7:14). Let us not bristle up in selfish determination to live in opposition to the will of God Almighty; instead, let us submit ourselves to Him as Lord and receive His blessed healing. We will never regret the decision to yield ourselves to His rightful reign in our lives.
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