Mon.'s Devo - Judgment of Jerusalem

Read Isa. 22:1-14
Jerusalem is surrounded by valleys on three sides. Ezekiel found himself in one of these valleys when he prophesied to the dry bones and they came to life (Eze. 37). I find it interesting that he calls Jerusalem a valley of vision when it is on the mountain where you go to see clearly for miles. Maybe God called Jerusalem "the valley of vision" because their vision had become so narrow and short-sighted. Isaiah is describing the invasion and siege of Babylon led by Nebuchadnezzar in 588-586. Many of the people from neighboring towns have come to Jerusalem for protection making it a boisterous place. After a 2 year siege Jerusalem was overthrown and its inhabitants taken captive (2 Kings 25:6-11). Isaiah is beyond being comforted over Jerusalem being taken (vs. 4). The walls are torn down and the fighting men fled with the king (2 Kings 25:4). Elam (Persia) and Kir (an Arameean city) sent troops to help the Babylonians so the Kidron Valley is filled with chariots. The Kidron was symbolic for death and was the place they would throw their idols. Jerusalem had tried to preserve their water supply and repair the walls but to no avail. They had stop trusting in God so their was no hope for them (vs. 11). God was calling them to repentance, mourning and shame. They were being disciplined for their pagan philosophy of "eat, drink, for tomorrow we shall die." A philosophy that has no respect for life or responsibility to the next generation.
Lord, teach us to number our days and pass down a godly inheritance to the next generation.