Isaiah 22:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts, “Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the household, and say to him:

NIV: This is what the Lord, the LORD Almighty, says: 'Go, say to this steward, to Shebna the palace administrator:

NASB: This is what the Lord God of armies says: 'Come, go to this steward, To Shebna who is in charge of the royal household,

CSB: The Lord God of Armies said, "Go to Shebna, that steward who is in charge of the palace, and say to him:

NLT: This is what the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, said to me: 'Confront Shebna, the palace administrator, and give him this message:

KJV: Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,

NKJV: Thus says the Lord God of hosts: “Go, proceed to this steward, To Shebna, who is over the house, and say:

Isaiah has revealed a disappointing reaction from the people of Jerusalem. They faced certain death when the enemy finally breached the walls and destroyed the city of Jerusalem. Instead of turning to the Lord for help, the people lost themselves in revelry. They threw themselves into pretending, so they would not have to face the fact that they would soon be dead (Isaiah 22:12–13).

Now Isaiah gives an example of a man who seems to have passively accepted his impending death. He, too, is not seeking God nor making good on his responsibilities. Shebna is also mentioned in 2 Kings 18:18 as King Hezekiah's secretary. In this passage Isaiah refers to this Shebna as the steward who is over "the household." He held a position of high authority among the king's servants.

God tells Isaiah to tell Shebna something about his actions in the face of the Assyrian horde at the gates (Isaiah 22:16). It is made clear (Isaiah 22:16) that the Lord is not pleased with Shebna's choices.

Chapter 22:15–25 concludes Isaiah's oracle against Jerusalem with a focus on two men. Shebna is the steward of the king's household. The Lord condemns him for carving his elaborate tomb, with the enemy at the gates, instead of seeking the Lord or serving the king. The Lord gives this steward's authority and position to Eliakim. Eliakim serves with such strength, faithfulness, and integrity that he becomes a father figure to the people. However, he also falls away eventually.

Isaiah presents a prophecy against the city of Jerusalem: "the valley of vision." The prophet condemns the people for partying, perhaps following an astonishing deliverance from the Lord. Instead, they should remember all who died. They should be sobered to realize how helpless they had been. When destruction seemed certain, they should have mourned and cried out to the Lord to save them. Instead, they reveled like nothing mattered. The Lord condemns the steward of the king's house for carving out his tomb instead of trusting God. He puts a man named Eliakim in that position. Eliakim serves with great integrity, faithfulness, and excellence. Yet, he, too, falls away.

Isaiah has recorded several prophecies in preceding chapters. These spoke of nations such as Egypt as well as various tribes. Chapter 22 is an oracle against the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah condemns the people for celebrating instead of mourning and seeking the Lord's help. This could be either before or after a great siege of the city. The prophet weeps for the lost and calls the people to repent. The Lord condemns the king's steward for faithlessness. His replacement, Eliakim, serves with strength and integrity. The next oracles concern Tyre and Sydon, before addressing the entire world.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/18/2024 11:24:50 PM