Isaiah 17-22

17-20 - The Lord speaks woe and judgement upon Israel, and upon surrounding nations that Israel has attempted to align themselves with in the face of threats from Assyria. Damascus (Syria), Ethiopia and beyond, and Egypt. Yet, in the last days the Lord will save Egypt and Assyria and Israel, who will join together in serving God - which seems impossible today, given the deep hatred that exists between these nations.

21 - A prophecy against Babylon and Persia, and against the descendants of Ishmael, who make up many of the Arab nations today.

22 - A prophecy against Jerusalem, who will be (unsuccessfully) attacked by the Assyrians. Two of king Hezekiah’s officers are spoken of in this prophecy - Eliakim and Shebna. Eliakim is God’s choice, and Shebna is rejected, however this prophecy quickly transitions into a future vision of Jesus and the anti-christ, typified by these two men. In the Lord’s letter to the Philippian church in Revelation 3:7, Jesus refers to Himself as having the key of David, Who opens and no one shuts, and Who shuts, and no one opens, quoting from Isaiah 22:22.