Isaiah 22:12-25
One reaction of people of the world when a calamity threatens them consists of taking every human precaution (vv. 8-11). But another attitude is worse: total carelessness. On this occasion, by means of a trial, the LORD has just called upon Israel to weep and humble themselves; in a way He has "mourned" to them (Matthew 11:17). Now, the nation has not only failed to lament but here they are giving way to gladness and joy! This belief in materialism has many followers in our troubled century! As life is so short —these senseless people say — and we are threatened by disaster, let us rightly benefit from the present moment in the happiest possible way. That is summed up by the short sentence: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die". The apostle quotes it to the Corinthians as if to tell them: "If there was no resurrection, then we might just as well live like animals, simply enjoying each passing moment" (1 Corinthians 15:32; Luke 17:27).
Vv. 15-25 show the setting aside of the unfaithful steward, a picture of the Antichrist, in order to present the son of David, Eliakim (the one whom God establishes), a beautiful figure of the Lord Jesus (vv. 22-24; cf. Revelation 3:7).