Perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts
1The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
How we respond to trouble can make all the difference in the world. Its clear that trouble is coming to Israel that joyous city. Isaiah has just spent the prior few chapters describing the fall of all her enemies, now it's Israel's turn.
5For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
Is this trouble really "by the Lord GOD of hosts? Would he do that?
8And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
In some versions it says He (the Lord) removed the protection of Judah here. Regardless it's less about what the Lord did and more about how Israel responds to trouble. They looked to the armour. What do you do in times of trouble, who do you look to?
9Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
10And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
The people go on to gather water and even tear down houses in order to fortify the broken down walls. The walls that were broken down when God removed or uncovered the protections. Is helping ourselves when our help seems gone really the right solution? Is turning to our own ingenuity alone the right approach?
11Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
Creative problem solving is not in itself a bad thing, but lets not forget to look to the Maker of the things we need, and let us respect Him who provides for our every need.