"One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go ou

The prophet portrays refugees from the cities and towns of Judah, having fled for refuge within the walls of Jerusalem as their last bastion of hope against the marauding army of Sennacherib. Two figures of speech with a rich usage in Israel's story picture God as shepherd and king. Both metaphors imagine the Lord as leader and champion of his people; resonant images of Jesus who breaks through the impasse of sin and takes his people with him to victory.