A Selfish Steward

The prophet now turns his attention from an unfaithful people to an unfaithful individual.  Isaiah writes:  "This is what the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies, has said:  'Go, enter in to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the house, "What is there of interest to you here, and who is there of interest  to you here, that you have hewed out for yourself here a burial place?  On a height he is hewing out his burial place; in  a crag he is cutting out a residence for himself.' " -Isaiah 22:15, 16.

Shebna is 'steward over the house,' probably the house of King Hezekiah. As such, he has an influential position, second only to the king. Much is expected of him.  (1 Corinthians 4:2)  Yet, when he should be giving first attention to the affairs of the nation, Shebna is pursuing glory for himself.  He is having a luxurious tomb-comparable to that of a king-carved for himself high on a crag.  Jehovah, observing this, inspires Isaiah to warn the unfaithful steward:  "Look! Jehovah is hurling you down with violent hurling, O able-bodied man, and grasping you forcibly. Without fail he will wrap you up tightly, like a ball for a wide land.  There you will die, and there  the chariots of your glory will be the dishonor of the house of your master. And I will push you  away from your position; and from your official standing one will tear you down."  (Isaiah 22:17-19)   Because of his self-centeredness, Shebna will not have even an ordinary tomb in Jerusalem. Instead, he will be hurled like a ball, to die in a distant land. In this there is a warning to all of those entrusted with authority among God's people.  Abuse of power will lead to the loss of that authority and possibly  to banishment.

 How, though, will Shebna be removed from his position?  Through Isaiah, Jehovah explains:  "It must occur in that day that I will call my servant, namely Eliakim the son of Hilikiah. And I will clothe him with your robe, and your sash  I shall firmly bind around him, and your dominion I shall give into his hand; and he must become a father to the inhabitant  of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.  And I will put the key of the house of David upon his shoulder, and he must open without anyone's shutting, and he must shut without anyone's opening."  (Isaiah 22:20-22) Replacing Shebna, Eliakim will be given the steward's official garments along with the key of the house of David.  The Bible uses the term"key" to symbolize authority, government, or power.  (Compare Matthew 16:19)  In ancient times, a king's adviser, entrusted with the keys, might have general supervision of the royal chambers, even deciding  on candidates for  the king's service.  (Compare Revelation 3:7, 8) Thus, the office of a steward is important, and much is expected of whoever serves in it.   (Luke 12:48) Shebna may be capable, but because he is unfaithful, Jehovah will replace him.

Next time: Two Symbolic Pegs

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000