Isaiah 22: 1 – 25
Out With The Bad - In With The Good
1 The burden against the Valley of Vision. What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, 2 You who are full of noise, a tumultuous city, a joyous city? Your slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle. 3 All your rulers have fled together; They are captured by the archers. All who are found in you are bound together; They have fled from afar. 4 Therefore I said, “Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me because of the plundering of the daughter of my people.” 5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the Valley of Vision— Breaking down the walls and of crying to the mountain. 6 Elam bore the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate. 8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, that it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses you broke down to fortify the wall. 11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago. 12 And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts called for weeping and for mourning, for baldness and for girding with sackcloth. 13 But instead, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine: “ Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the LORD of hosts, “ Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, even to your death,” says the Lord GOD of hosts. 15 Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: “ Go, proceed to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the house, and say: 16 ‘ What have you here, and whom have you here, that you have hewn a sepulcher here, as he who hews himself a sepulcher on high, who carves a tomb for himself in a rock? 17 Indeed, the LORD will throw you away violently, O mighty man, and will surely seize you. 18 He will surely turn violently and toss you like a ball into a large country; There you shall die, and there your glorious chariots shall be the shame of your master’s house. 19 So I will drive you out of your office, and from your position he will pull you down. 20 ‘ Then it shall be in that day, that I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah; 21 I will clothe him with your robe and strengthen him with your belt; I will commit your responsibility into his hand. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open. 23 I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place, and he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house. 24 ‘They will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the posterity, all vessels of small quantity, from the cups to all the pitchers. 25 In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘the peg that is fastened in the secure place will be removed and be cut down and fall, and the burden that was on it will be cut off; for the LORD has spoken.’”
This September it will be 10 years since the horror of what will be forever known as 9/11. I can say with some confidence that everyone hearing and reading this message is familiar with that dreadful day. I remember it well. I was in California at the time at a West Coast Pastor’s Retreat. I remember that I have over slept, you know, jet lag. Anyway, I was walking to the building which housed the large gathering and I noticed a strange thing going on. They retreat center had apparently set up a large screen TV and everyone was watching it. I guessed this was part of the retreat but very unusual. Everyone was keenly focused on the TV program. I had asked a person standing next to me, what was going on. This man responded that someone had flown into the World Trade Center. After I had digested this information everyone in attendance was shocked to see the 2nd plane go into the other tower.
There was total confusion on our group of Pastors on what to do? What was really going on? A great man of God came forward and announced that the conference is now ended. Now, my confusion really began. All flights were cancelled. I was stuck in a motel room and couldn’t go anywhere. Car rental agencies would not rent any cars. The whole country pretty much came to a stand still.
After a few days our country realized that we were not under further attacks so the restrictions eased up. I was able to rent a vehicle and drive back home to the east coast. Doing my version of a NASCAR race driver I made it home in 26 hours.
My police and Red Cross credentials allowed me access to go to New York to try to minister to the police, fire fighters, and other family members who had missing love ones. There were sights and situations I will never forget.
I do not know about you but certain things really bothered me that was going on in areas outside of the city of New York. People in other countries, especially in Islamic nations were all smiles and dancing in the streets. Our lousy Congressmen and women had gathered on the Capital steps and sang God Bless America. People who were doing their best to kick my Holy God out of our country were displaying this show for all of the Americans to see. People were going stare crazy because all sporting events had been cancelled. Our country had become all patriotic I thought but not repentant. As I studied this chapter of Isaiah I realized the same thing was going on then with the Israelites. It says in the book of Romans chapter 15 verse 4 says, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.’ May we learn about the same things that happened to the Israelites and hopefully avoid the same things that could happen with us. For the outcome, as we will read about, is not good for the Jewish people.
1 The burden against the Valley of Vision. What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, 2 You who are full of noise, a tumultuous city, a joyous city?
Picture this scene. The people are all rejoicing. It is party time in Jerusalem. I do not know about you but I would ask the question, ‘how come?’
I can give you a few reasons why they are so happy.
For one thing we read in the book of 2 Kings chapter 18, the this rejoicing was because they had received news that Assyria would help them. Look at what Scripture teaches us, “13 And in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. 14 Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; turn away from me; whatever you impose on me I will pay.” And the king of Assyria assessed Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house. 16 At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.”
It is a possibility but I do not think this is the reason for the celebrating that we read here in chapter 22.
Another potential reason for joy could be when our Lord slew a great part of the Assyrian army as we read in chapter 39, “ 1 And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. 3 And they said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah: ‘This day is a day of trouble and rebuke and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth. 4 It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’” 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 And Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” 8 Then the Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish. 9 And the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, “He has come out to make war with you.” So when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 10 “Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, “Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 11 Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered those whom my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?’” 14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying: 16 “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 18 Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 20 Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD, You alone.” 21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 this is the word which the LORD has spoken concerning him: “ The virgin, the daughter of Zion, has despised you, laughed you to scorn; The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head behind your back! 23 “ Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice, and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel. 24 By your servants you have reproached the Lord, and said, ‘By the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the limits of Lebanon; I will cut down its tall cedars and its choice cypress trees; I will enter its farthest height, to its fruitful forest. 25 I have dug and drunk water, and with the soles of my feet I have dried up all the brooks of defense.’ 26 “ Did you not hear long ago how I made it, from ancient times that I formed it? Now I have brought it to pass, that you should be for crushing fortified cities into heaps of ruins. 27 Therefore their inhabitants had little power; They were dismayed and confounded; They were as the grass of the field and the green herb, as the grass on the housetops and grain blighted before it is grown. 28 “ But I know your dwelling place, your going out and your coming in, and your rage against Me. 29 Because your rage against Me and your tumult have come up to My ears, therefore I will put My hook in your nose and My bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way which you came.”’ 30 “This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, and the second year what springs from the same; also in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. 31 And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 32 For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and those who escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 33 “Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: ‘ He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. 34 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,’ Says the LORD. 35 ‘ For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’” 36 Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. 38 Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.”
If this is the reason for the people rejoicing then my next question would be then ‘why is Isaiah not joining in on the celebration? Why isn’t he putting down on paper words of praise? Why is he downcast? The Scripture tells us that he starts to see a vision of horror in the upcoming future?
Isaiah has nothing to rejoice about. He is fearful of his people’s future as they rejoice in their self-confidence and not in the fact that again it was the Lord’s hand that had delivered them. The people should have been on their knees thanking and worshiping and repenting. However, they would not give God credit for His Wonderful Mercy.
Isaiah reveals that the people are captives and do not even know it. They are captives in their own sinful thoughts.
‘Your slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle. 3 All your rulers have fled together; They are captured by the archers. All who are found in you are bound together; They have fled from afar.’
The people do not know it but their leaders are selling them out. Instead of the thought of God and Country, the leaders think only of themselves and send their money to Swiss banks and flee the country.
Boy can we be so stupid. Do you remember the conversation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when the Pharisees were giving Him such a hard time? Our Lord in His Own marvelous way informed them that they do not have a clue of what is really going on about being free. We read this interaction in the Gospel of John chapter 8,” 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
So as the partying crowds make their way around Jerusalem they want Isaiah to join in with them. Yet, he will not because he has been given a picture of the future. It is no fun being a prophet for truly the burden of what he sees is God’s version of a horror movie and it is not one of actors but is a vision of the things actually taking place as they occur. He has a hard time bearing this information.
4 Therefore I said, “Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me because of the plundering of the daughter of my people.” 5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the Valley of Vision— Breaking down the walls and of crying to the mountain.”
Another prophet of God which had a similar reaction to God’s showing of future conditions was Elisha. We read how greatly he was shocked in seeing what this person, by the name of Hazael, would do to his people. We find this incident in the book of 2 Kings chapter 8, “7 Then Elisha went to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, “The man of God has come here.” 8 And the king said to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand, and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this disease?’” 9 So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, of every good thing of Damascus, forty camel-loads; and he came and stood before him, and said, “Your son Ben-Hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this disease?’” 10 And Elisha said to him, “Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover.’ However the LORD has shown me that he will really die.” 11 Then he set his countenance in a stare until he was ashamed; and the man of God wept. 12 And Hazael said, “Why is my lord weeping?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: Their strongholds you will set on fire, and their young men you will kill with the sword; and you will dash their children, and rip open their women with child.” 13 So Hazael said, “But what is your servant—a dog, that he should do this gross thing?” And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will become king over Syria.” 14 Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he answered, “He told me you would surely recover.” 15 But it happened on the next day that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water, and spread it over his face so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his place.”
Isaiah spoke to the revelers how bad the future will be. He told them to note from his lips that as far as the eyes could see the land would be filled with enemy chariots.
6 Elam bore the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
I mentioned earlier about 9/11 and I want to express this point which I feel very strong about. So, let me be very serious to all of you for a moment. Let us look at things realistically, somewhat like Isaiah was instructing his countrymen. In truth, we have hurt our Loving God. The rotten few in our land have forced their will against the majority and we are kicking our Wonderful Holy El Shaddai – God Almighty - out of our nation. How can we expect His protection and blessings when we are doing the things which you and I know are wrong? I believe that our Lord in a way moved back His hand of protection. This is why we fell victim to the terrorists attack on 9/11. You might not agree with me but it is very interesting that we read next in verse 8 this about the city nation of Judah:
8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest;
He removed the protection of Judah. Will He not also do to us the same because of our sins? It says this in the book of Leviticus chapter 26 verse 16, “I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.’
Please Lord forgive us our sins and have mercy on us.
And the walls came tumbling down. The mighty fortress will not protect the people during the Babylonian siege. They will collapse.
9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, that it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses you broke down to fortify the wall.
Trusting in their ability and ingenuity, the people built an access to a water supply. So they believed that they could withstand any long term encampment by the enemy.
11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.
The proper way to deal with hardships and very difficult times in our lifetimes should be a time to run to the Lord. We wind up though getting mad at our Holy God instead of heeding His call to repent and be helped.
12 And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts called for weeping and for mourning, for baldness and for girding with sackcloth.
Hey, we will be okay. God will not allow these terrible calamities to befall on us, right? I think about this popular minister who has many thousands of people in his church and I believe that he hasn’t a clue about the word of God. One day, I had to turn the TV off after listening to his drivel about how God has 7 reasons for us to be successful. Then the hurricane hit the Mexican Gulf and you know the rest. I am sure these people can count on both their hands how they are so successful, especially as they see their houses floating down stream.
We need to remind ourselves that this world is not our Home. We need to be like our father Abraham who looked for a kingdom and city not made with hands. Our hope is in God. Our heaven is not here as many cling to.
13 But instead, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine: “ Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the LORD of hosts, “ Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, even to your death,” says the Lord GOD of hosts.”
Our Lord now teaches us in two parables on how we should respond to difficult times.
15 Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: “ Go, proceed to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the house, and say: 16 ‘ What have you here, and whom have you here, that you have hewn a sepulcher here, as he who hews himself a sepulcher on high, who carves a tomb for himself in a rock? 17 Indeed, the LORD will throw you away violently, O mighty man, and will surely seize you. 18 He will surely turn violently and toss you like a ball into a large country; There you shall die, and there your glorious chariots shall be the shame of your master’s house. 19 So I will drive you out of your office, and from your position he will pull you down.
Our Precious Holy Spirit Is now going to give us two parables to highlight His point. We will notice how our Holy Ghost will deliberately put forth contrasting views.
The first to be mentioned is a guy by the name of Shebna. Our Adoni Yehweh points out that he had a position of leadership - 15 Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: “ Go, proceed to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the house, and say:’
He was the Vizer or First Minister. It meant that he was responsible for managing affairs of the royal house.
Notice that our Holy Master’s words are not complementary to him because he has used his political office for personal gain. He used government funds to hew out a sepulcher to honor himself - 16 ‘ What have you here, and whom have you here, that you have hewn a sepulcher here, as he who hews himself a sepulcher on high, who carves a tomb for himself in a rock?’
Picture the city of Washington, DC. This guy would have used our tax dollars to build a mausoleum for himself on the front lawn of the White House. Future generations would walk by and must reason with themselves what a great man he must have been. This guy was seeking a permanent name, a permanent resting place, and full prominence in mankind’s eyes. He wanted men to look to him and admire him. Our Lord looks upon this act and asks, ‘Who do you think you are?’ He had a problem seeing the consequences of his actions.
Shebna is not voted out of office. Our King throws him out of office so he can no longer do any more harm - 17 Indeed, the LORD will throw you away violently, O mighty man, and will surely seize you. 18 He will surely turn violently and toss you like a ball into a large country; There you shall die, and there your glorious chariots shall be the shame of your master’s house. 19 So I will drive you out of your office, and from your position he will pull you down.’
Shebna is replaced by a guy named Eliakim.
Please notice who picked this guy as a replacement – our Holy Jehovah Eloyon – The Lord Most High - 20 ‘ Then it shall be in that day, that I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah;
In past history the transference of office was symbolically done with an object. For example, a king would pass along his crown to the next king. Religiously our Lord would transfer leadership through a belt or mantle. In the book of 1 Kings we come across two prophets – Elijah and Elisha. Let us look at chapter 19, “19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
We see here the transference of political power from Shebna to Eliakim by mention of the clothing - 21 I will clothe him with your robe and strengthen him with your belt; I will commit your responsibility into his hand. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.’
Unlike Shebna, Eliakim will be like a father to the people. In other words he will care like a father would to his kids; he will guide, direct, advise, and pass judgment on family issues - 21 I will clothe him with your robe and strengthen him with your belt; I will commit your responsibility into his hand. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.’
The Roman Catholic Church took one verse and used it to establish the office of Pope. We see it listed here for the first time - 22 The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open.’
Our Lord Jesus used this same verse when He addressed Peter for recognizing Him as the Messiah. We read in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 16 this, “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.’
So, Is the Pope God’s replacement on earth? No, this is an abomination to God. The pope was never raised to an equal position with our Holy God.
We read in chapter 22 of Isaiah our Holy Master giving Eliakim the keys to the house of David. So, perhaps the Roman Catholic church needs to go back and not use Peter as the starting Pope, but somehow start with Eliakim and try to find his descendents and put together a new list of Popes .
No, in reality the key was the symbol of authority showing whom the man represented. In this case Eliakim represented as a servant or steward the king of Judah. He wasn’t royalty. He was not equal with the king. He could allow men into the king’s presence.
Do you see the significance of all this? All of us who are believers have been given the keys of the house of David. You and I both can speak to people and allow them to know our Great and Wonderful King, Who Is the King of kings and Lord of Lords. In effect, we can set up appointments with them to meet personally our Great God.
We see something more here than the man Eliakim. These verses start to talk about someone else other than Eliakim. Remember, he had no recognizable family influence [ie. The glory of his father’s house and the mention of a glorious throne]. Look with me at these important verses - 23 I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place, and he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house. 24 ‘They will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the posterity, all vessels of small quantity, from the cups to all the pitchers.
I believe the verses our talking about our Holy Adoni Yeshua – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What we read here sounds like a coronation.
Look at these verses relative to the securing of the royal position described as being fastened securely by a peg;
Isaiah 22: 23 “I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place, And he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house.’
Zechariah 10: 4, “From him comes the cornerstone, From him the tent peg, From him the battle bow, From him every ruler together.’
Now notice even though He was securely fastened, He will be cut off - 25 In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘the peg that is fastened in the secure place will be removed and be cut down and fall, and the burden that was on it will be cut off; for the LORD has spoken.’”
A lot of people focus on the prophecy of Daniel chapter 9’s description of the 70 weeks relative to our Lord’s exact arrival date on earth and understand his death on the crosss, “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. 25 “ Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. 26 “ And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.”
As you can see here in Isaiah, Daniel wasn’t the first one to talk about the Messiah being cut off, which refers to His death.
However, can you now see the reference of a cross where this future king will be nailed or secured or fastened in a sure place. Thank You Lord Jesus for all that You did for us and are presently doing for us. We love You.
