The Lord commanded Isaiah to go to Shebna, who was steward (ruler) over the royal household (cf. Joseph; Genesis 39:8-9; 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 18:3). This was the highest office of state in both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, and sometimes the heir to the throne occupied it (cf. 2 Chronicles 26:21). As the royal steward, Shebna stood nearest to the king and represented the king. read more
Isaiah’s question is almost identical to the one in Isaiah 22:1, tying Shebna’s error to that of the people of Jerusalem. He had no personal right, or a right by reason of his position, to prepare a permanent and prominent tomb for himself. A person’s tomb made a statement about his importance, and Shebna wanted to guarantee his future recognition by building himself a respectable monument in Jerusalem (cf. Haman; Esther 3:1-2). Archaeologists have found the remains of a grave hewn by one... read more
Shebna would not die in peace in Jerusalem as he anticipated. God would throw him, like a balled up rag that cannot control where it is going, into a distant land where he would die. Presumably the Assyrians took him captive. His emblems of greatness would also end up there rather than in the place where he wished to be remembered. His attitude of self-glorification made him unworthy of the office he occupied, in Isaiah’s view (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:12). read more
The Lord promised to drive Shebna out of his office, and to tear him down from his exalted position in which he took so much pride. read more
The Lord also predicted that He would appoint Eliakim to a special position of authority, complete with the symbols of that authority, to replace proud Shebna. In chapters 36-37 Shebna and Eliakim appear as officials who were both serving King Hezekiah when Sennacherib invaded Jerusalem (701 B.C.). Thus Shebna’s humiliation and Eliakim’s exaltation apparently occurred sometime after that. Eliakim would become a father to the people of Jerusalem in that he would care for them sacrificially at... read more
Eliakim would bear authority to administer the affairs of David’s royal house, which the key on the shoulder symbolizes. His decisions would be binding, as when one unlocks or locks a door with a key (cf. Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18; Revelation 3:7). read more
He would also serve as a tent peg holding the royal house and all Jerusalem stable against the winds of adversity. He would bring glory to his father’s house. He would be such a strong figure that many people would rely on him and commit much responsibility to him. read more
Unfortunately, Eliakim would not be able to carry all the weight of responsibility committed to him and would fail. Thus the people’s trust in another human being, even a very capable person, would prove misplaced. They could only safely trust in the Lord Almighty; He is the only one who would not fail them. One writer believed that Eliakim would not fail. [Note: Archer, p. 625.] This oracle reproved the people of Jerusalem for trusting in the arm of flesh to protect them from their enemies.... read more
Jerusalem RebukedA severe rebuke of the conduct of the people of Jerusalem in a time of calamity. The crisis refered to cannot be certainly identified. The difficulty in assigning the passage to Sennacherib’s invasion (701 b.c.) is that other prophecies relating to it are marked by encouragement, not, as here, by a tone of rebuke. Perhaps the present prophecy should be dated 711, the time of Sargon’s invasion.1-7. The unworthy behaviour of the people of Jerusalem when attack is imminent.8-11.... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 22:14
The Lord had revealed to Isaiah that He would not forgive their unbelief in Himself. As long as they continued to trust in themselves rather than in Him, He would not save them.Unbelief persisted in until death is the only sin that God will not forgive. In the unsaved it results in eternal damnation, and in the saved it results in the loss of some eternal reward plus temporal punishment in some cases. However, as long as people can repent there is hope. Repentance was still possible for... read more