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 22:5-14 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 3:1. May we turn our eyes upon Christ to be changed into His image (2 Cor. 3:18) and turn our eyes on ourselves to judge our pride and self-importance.
N. Berry