“You looked in that day to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest ... but you did not look to the One who made it or have regard for the One who planned it long ago” (22:8-11). Isaiah said that when Israel was threatened by invading forces, some leaders fled, and others scrambled to build defenses and grab weapons (22:3). Some people accepted the coming destruction and threw a last party (22:13). But God’s desire was that Israel repent (22:23).

“The Lord Almighty called you on that day ...” (22:12). Just as Israel’s crisis was an opportunity to turn to the Lord, when our own lives are shaken, God calls us to throw ourselves wholly on Him.