The Wall of Truth and Some Gaps

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 6
It’s true that a wall [or a “fence”], like a chain, is only as strong as its weakest place or link. We have valuable lessons in Isaiah 22:5-145For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains. 6And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. 7And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate. 8And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armor of the house of the forest. 9Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall. 11Ye 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. 12And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: 13And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. 14And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts. (Isaiah 22:5‑14) regarding Israel’s wall around Jerusalem.
Like our present day, “It is a day of trouble  .  .  .  and of perplexity” (vs. 5). But notice who was causing it —the Lord! Instead of Israel’s realizing this, what did they look at? Their own strength, for they looked “that day to the armor of the house of the forest” (vs. 8).
Are we not doing the same today? Looking at the circumstances and at our holiness and strength? They were even breaking down the houses to fix up the wall. What were they missing? The mind of the Lord. Let us look at three details.
1. They were not realizing that the gaps in the wall and the enemy at the gate were “by” or from “the Lord God of hosts.” What a mistake we are making when we forget that the Lord is allowing our distresses because of our own willfulness.
2. They were spending their energy to repair the breaks which the enemy had made, but they weren’t looking at the One who made the armor.
3. The Lord had something better for them—He told them to try weeping and mourning (vs. 12). Now look to see what they did instead, saying, “We shall die” (vs. 13). Depression set in. We are living in the very last, difficult days which Paul speaks of in 2 Timothy 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1). May we turn our eyes upon Christ to be changed into His image (2 Cor. 3:1818But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)) and turn our eyes on ourselves to judge our pride and self-importance.
N. Berry