73. The Valley of Vision (4)

Hymns: RHC 445 O Master Let Me Walk With Thee 444 Hold the Fort 442 Soldiers of Christ, Arise

Isaiah 22:14-25

¹⁵ Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, ¹⁶ What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? ¹⁷ Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. ¹⁸ He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord’s house. ¹⁹ And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.

²⁰ And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: ²¹ And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. ²² And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. ²³ And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. ²⁴ And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. ²⁵ In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

The Valley of Vision (4)

OUTLINE

Ironic Weakness (v1-7)
Carnal Means (v8-11)
Contradicting Wanton Pleasures (v12-14)
An Unfaithful Steward (v15-19)
A Faithful Steward (v20-25)

Continue…

¹⁴ And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

A prediction of the LORD’S judgment upon the revellers in their wanton pleasures. There will be no pardon given for the iniquities that these revellers have committed. Death will come, and the people will die without having their iniquity expiated. A sure doom for a sinning, unconcerned, revelling people!

What a sad state to see the unconcerned and sinful condition state of the nation of Israel in the face of approaching disaster.

(4) An Unfaithful Steward (v15-19)

Here is a prophecy concerning the displacing of Shebna, a great officer at court, and the preferring of Eliakim to the post of honour and trust that he was in.

Such changes are common in the courts of princes; it is, therefore, strange that so much notice should be taken of it by the prophet here; but by the accomplishment of what was foretold concerning these particular persons God designed to confirm his word in the mouth of Isaiah concerning other and greater events; and it is likewise to show that, as God has burdens in store for those nations and kingdoms abroad that are open enemies to his church and people, so he has for those particular persons at home that are false friends to them and betray them. [Matthew Henry]

It is likewise a confirmation in general of the hand of divine Providence in all events of this kind, which to us seem contingent and to depend upon the wills and fancies of princes. Promotion comes not from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south; but God is the Judge.

Psalm 75:6-7 (KJV) For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

It is probable that this prophecy was delivered at the same time as that in the former part of the chapter, and began to be fulfilled before Sennacherib’s invasion; for now Shebna was over the house, but then Eliakim was (Isaiah 36:3); and Shebna, coming down gradually, was only scribe.

Isaiah 36:3 (KJV) Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah’s son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph’s son, the recorder.

The prophecy of Shebna’s disgrace. He is called this treasurer, being entrusted with the management of the revenue; and he is likewise said to be over the house, for such was his boundless ambition and covetousness that less than two places, and those two of the greatest importance at court, would not satisfy him.

It is common for self-seeking men thus to grasp at more than they can manage, and so the business of their places is neglected, while the pomp and profit of them wholly engage the mind.

It does not appear what were the particular instances of Shebna’s mal-administration, for which Isaiah is here sent to prophesy against him; but the Jews say, “He kept up a traitorous correspondence with the king of Assyria, and was in treaty with him to deliver the city into his hands.

“However this was, it should seem that he was a foreigner (for we never read of the name of his father) and that he was an enemy to the true interests of Judah and Jerusalem: it is probable that he was first preferred by Ahaz.

Hezekiah was himself an excellent prince; but the best masters cannot always be sure of good servants. We have need to pray for princes, that they may be wise and happy in the choice of those they trust.

These were times of reformation, yet Shebna, a bad man, complied so far as to keep his places at court; and it is probable that many others did like him, for which reason Sennacherib is said to have been sent against a hypocritical nation, (Isaiah 10:6).

Isaiah 10:6 (KJV) I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

In this message to Shebna we have, a reproof of his pride, vanity, and security – ¹⁶ What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here? … that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? (v16)

What a mighty noise and bustle dost thou make! What estate has thou here, that thou was born to? Whom hast thou here, what relations, that thou art allied to?

This verse contains a severe repoof of the pride and ostentation of Shebna, and of his expectation that he would be buried where he had built his own tomb. It also contains an “implied” declaration that he would not be permitted to lie there, but would be removed to a distant land to be buried in some less honourable manner. [Barnes]

It is probable that Isaiah met him when he was at the sepulchre which he had made, and addressed this language to him there: ‘What hast thou here? What right to expect that thou wilt be buried here, or why do you erect this splendid sepulchre, as if you were a holy man, and God would allow you to lie here?’ Probably his sepulchre had been erected among the sepulchres of holy people, and perhaps in some part of the royal burying place in Jerusalem.

¹⁷ Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.

Shebna will be carried away. It was not told where but it was a mighty captivity where he would be carried away.

Cover thee – That is, thy face. This was the condition of mourners in general, and particularly of condemned persons.

Esther 6:11 (KJV) Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

Esther 6:12 (KJV) And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

Esther 7:8 (KJV) Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

¹⁸ He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord’s house.

Some think the Assyrians seized him, and took him away, because he had promised to assist them and did not, but appeared against them: or perhaps Hezekiah, finding out his treachery, banished him, and forbade him ever to return; or he himself, finding that he had become obnoxious to the people, withdrew into some other country, and there spent the rest of his days in meanness and obscurity.

Grotius thinks he was stricken with a leprosy, which was a disease commonly supposed to come from the immediate hand of God’s displeasure, particularly for the punishment of the proud, as in the case of Miriam and Uzziah; and by reason of this disease, he was tossed like a ball out of Jerusalem.

¹⁹ And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.

In order to prepare for a transition to the announcement concerning Eliakim Isaiah sums up in one short sentence the end of Shebna.

A prophecy of his fall and the sullying of his glory. That he should not quickly be displaced and degraded (v19): I will drive thee from thy station.

High places are slippery places; and those are justly deprived of their honour that are proud of it and puffed up with it, and deprived of their power that do hurt with it.

God will do it, who shows Himself to be God by looking upon proud men and abasing them.

Job 40:11-12 (KJV) Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

We have a contrast with the humility of our Lord – John 6:15 (KJV) When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

We are told that, after the feeding the multitude, He “perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a king.” At once He departed, and left them. He wanted no such honours as these. He had come, “not to be ministered unto, but to minister, to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28).

We see the same spirit and frame of mind all through our Lord’s earthly ministry. From His cradle to His grave He was “clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5). He was born of a poor woman, and spent the first thirty years of His life in a carpenter’s house at Nazareth. He was followed by poor companions, many of them no better than fishermen. He was poor in His manner of living: “The foxes have holes, and the birds have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” (Matthew 8:20). When He went on the Sea of Galilee, it was on a borrowed boat; when He rode to Jerusalem, it was on a borrowed ass; when He was buried, it was in a borrowed tomb.

Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor. (2 Corinthians 8:9).

The example is one which ought to be far more remembered than it is. How common are pride, and ambition, and high-mindedness! How rare are humility and lowly-mindedness! How few ever refuse greatness when offered to them! How many are continually seeking great things for themselves, and forgetting the injunction, “seek them not.” (Jeremiah 45:5). [JC Ryle]

Surely it was nothing that our Lord, after washing the disciples’ feet, said, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done.” (John 13:15). There is little, it may be feared, of that feet-washing spirit among Christians. But whether men will hear or forbear, humility is the queen of graces.

“Tell me,” it has been said, “how much humility a man has, and I will tell you how much religion he has.” Humility is the first step towards heaven, and the true way to honour.

“He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:14).

This brings us to the transition of Eliakim, the faithful steward that God will raise.

(5)A Faithful Steward (v20-25)

The prophecy of Eliakim’s advancement (v20). He is God’s servant, has approved himself faithfully so in other employments, and therefore God will call him to this high station.

Those that are diligent in doing the duty of a low sphere stand fairest for preferment in God’s books. Eliakim does not undermine Shebna, nor make an interest against him, nor does he intrude into his office; but God calls him to it: and what God calls us to we may expect He will own us in.

It is here foretold, that Eliakim should be put into Shebna’s place of lord-chamberlain of the household, lord-treasurer, and prime-minister of state.

The prophet must tell Shebna this (v21). “He shall have thy robe, the badge of honour, and thy girdle, the badge of power; for he shall have thy government.“

To hear of it would be a great mortification to Shebna, much more to see it. Great men, especially if proud men, cannot endure their successors.

Just as it was the case of Haman and Morcedai during the time o Esther during the time of the Medo-Persian Empire.

God undertakes the doing of it, not only because he would put it into the heart of Hezekiah to do it, and his hand must be acknowledged guiding the hearts of princes in placing and displacing men (Proverbs 21:1), but because the powers that are, subordinate as well as supreme, are ordained of God.

Proverbs 21:1 (KJV) The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

It is God that clothes princes with their robes, and therefore we must submit ourselves to them for the Lord’s sake and with an eye to him.

1 Peter 2:13 (KJV) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

And, since it is he that commits the government into their hand, they must administer it according to his will, for his glory; they must judge for him by whom they judge and decree justice.

Proverbs 8:15 (KJV) By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

²² And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. ²³ And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.

Probably he carried a golden key upon his shoulder as a badge of his office, or had one embroidered upon his cloak or robe, to which this alludes.

Being over the house, and having the key delivered to him, as the seals are to the lord-keeper, he shall open and none shall shut, shut and none shall open. He had access to the house of the precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices; and to the house of the armour and the treasures (Isaiah 39:2), and disposed of the stores there as he thought fit for the public service. He put whom he pleased into the inferior offices and turned out whom he pleased.

Our Lord Jesus describes His own power as Mediator by an allusion to this (Revelation 3:7), that he has the key of David, wherewith he opens and no man shuts, he shuts and no man opens. His power in the kingdom of heaven, and in the ordering of all the affairs of that kingdom, is absolute, irresistible, and uncontrollable.

That he should be fixed and confirmed in that office. He shall have it for life, and not during pleasure (v23): I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place, not to be removed or cut down.

Thus lasting shall the honour be that comes from God to all those who use it for him. Our Lord Jesus is as a nail in a sure place: his kingdom cannot be shaken, and he himself is still the same.

That he should be a great blessing in his office; and it is this that crowns the favours here conferred upon him. God makes his name great, for he shall be a blessing (Gen. 12:2).

He shall be a blessing to his country (v21): He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. he shall take care not only of the affairs of the king’s household, but of all the public interests in Jerusalem and Judah. Note, Rulers should be fathers to those that are under their government, to teach them with wisdom, rule them with love, and correct what is amiss with tenderness, to protect them and provide for them, and be solicitous about them as a man is for his own children and family.

It is happy with a people when the court, the city, and the country, have no separate interests, but all centre in the same, so that the courtiers are true patriots, and whom the court blesses the country has reason to bless too; and when those who are fathers to Jerusalem, the royal city, are no less so to the house of Judah.

²³ And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. ²⁴ And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

He shall be a blessing to his family (v23-24): He shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. The consummate wisdom and virtue which recommended him to this great trust made him the honour of his family, which probably was very considerable before, but now became much more so.

Children should aim to be a credit to their parents and relations. The honour men reflect upon their families by their piety and usefulness is more to be valued than that which they derive from their families by their names and titles. Eliakim being preferred, all the glory of his father’s house was hung upon him; they all made their court to him, and his brethren’s sheaves bowed to his.

The glory of this world gives a man no intrinsic worth or excellency; it is but hung upon him as an appurtenance, and it will soon drop from him.

Eliakim was compared to a nail in a sure place, in pursuance of which comparison all the relations of his family (which, it is likely, were numerous, and that was the glory of it) are said to have a dependence upon him, as in a house the vessels that have handles to them are hung up upon nails and pins.

²⁵ In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

It intimates likewise that he shall generously take care of them all, and bear the weight of that care: All the vessels, not only the flagons, but the cups, the vessels of small quantity, the meanest that belong to his family, shall be provided for by him. See what a burden those bring upon themselves that undertake great trusts; they little think how many and how much will hand upon them if they resolve to be faithful in the discharge of their trust. Our Lord Jesus, having the key of the house of David, is as a nail in a sure place, and all the glory of his father’s house hangs upon him, is derived from him, and depends upon him; even the meanest that belong to his church are welcome to him, and he is able to bear the stress of them all. [Matthew Henry]

73. The Valley of Vision (4)

Share this:

Related