We’re in a study in section of Isaiah where God pronounces judgment on the nations around Israel — reminding us that God is a great sovereign God over the nations, not just Israel and Judah. In our previous study, we were led through the first half of the oracle and prophecy to Judah, the southern Kingdom of Israel (which is also the seat of the David’s throne, to which God had promised an eternal dynasty).
The historical context of the age is that Assyria is the regional superpower looming large and eventually conquers the northern kingdom of Israel. The king and the people of Judah have been responding to this growing threat in various ways – by political plotting and alliances, by preparing their defences. We’ve seen the oracles addressing the various nations of the region moving from superpowers like Assyria down to smaller nations and even the desert peoples of Arabia and the coastal nations — from big to small — before looping back to Judah and Jerusalem, the seat of God’s Davidic king.
Today the prophecy continues and zooms in on two particular individuals who are helping to maintain the dynasty in absence of a Davidic descendant on the throne, two stewards of Jerusalem, and this particular time.
(A) The Steward Pursuing Self-Glory is Stripped and Shamed (Isa 22:15-19)
Shebna is a steward (Isa 22:15). A steward is one who is employed to manage another's property, especially a large house or estate and does not actually own anything, but has to take care of someone else’s stuff. The word “steward” is also translated as “palace administrator” in the NIV or “treasurer” in the KJV. Shebna is over the king’s household i.e. the royal treasury and is likely the royal treasurer or their equivalent of the finance minister of Judah. Whatever the case, his power and authority is borrowed,
Sheba is recorded as cutting a tomb on the height and carving a dwelling for himself in the rock (Isa 22:16). This is an expensive endeavour, and we are supposed to wonder about where he got the wealth from. In Isaiah 22:18b, there is a mention of “glorious chariots”, implying that he is not just planning for his death, but also going around in chariots, parading his own importance.
Nothing much is written about how and whether Shebna fulfils his responsibilities as a treasurer. Yet, if we consider the historical and geographical context, we can see how Shebna’s focus is completely off. In the earlier verses, the threat of Assyria looms large against Judah (Isa 22:8-11). Hezekiah is building up the walls of Jerusalem and stocking up the water supply. They’re so desperate they are tearing down houses to repair the breaches in the walls. And here is this fool of a steward, riding fancy chariots and building a glorious grave for himself, wasting precious resources and manpower on himself.
So we see that Shebna is neglecting his duty of stewardship and abusing his role to make a name for himself. He is seeking self-glory.
There seems to be a tone of mocking, contempt, and derision for Shebna — ‘What have you to do here, and whom do you have here…?’ (Isa 22:16a), “o you strong man" (Isa 22:17b), “you shame of your master’s house” (Isa 22:18).
Shebna will be cast out of Jerusalem, out of Judah, and will die in a foreign land. All he prepared will not go with him, except for his chariots (c.f. Isaiah 22:17-18). He prepared the tomb in Jerusalem but now, he is cast out and away from God’s people, thrown out and down. All the glory that he prepared is now tossed away. Shebna’s authority and role will be removed from him and it’ll be given to another (Isa 22:19).
All that showing off, and desire for his own glory leads to nowhere, merely to death. Shebna’s plans have been completely thwarted. He was a steward, tasked to take care of resources on behalf of the king, Yet, He planned for security and self-glory. But God stripped him of his power, and ultimately casts him out of the land. Instead of dying in a glorious tomb he prepared for himself, he will die in an open land as an exile.
We can also see something about God’s attitude toward the proud. For those of you who have been through this series of studies, we see some consistent themes. First, God opposes the proud and humbles them, and he does so often to call people to repentance and call them unto him. In Isaiah 2:12, we read of the God who hates pride and hates the proud. He promises to bring the proud low. Throughout the oracles, we see how this is a Go who detests pride, because it sets up ability, strength, power, prowess, wealth as an idol in place of God. And so, God crushes those idols to expose them for what they are.
Second, we see that man can plan their steps, but God ultimately is sovereign and shapes the events of the ages.
Does it surprise you to know how much God is displeased when we seek our own self-glory and self-interests? It might be easy for us to wag our fingers and go tsk tsk at Shebna. We may not be doing things that are as drastic or costly as Shebna was, or outrightly abusing our authority. But we serve a God who sees straight into our hearts and knows our motives; and our God opposes the proud. Do we seek to serve our own needs when we are meant to serve His people? Lest we think this is only about Shebna, Matthew 24:45-51 tells us that we will all be called to account.
What, or who have been given stewardship of? What kind of stewards have we been? How many of us are actively serving in church, or in Christian communities like this one? Just because we are in service of a community, or have been put in a position of responsibility, that does not automatically mean our heart is in the right place with God. In fact the Bible warns us that when we think we are standing firm, all the more we should be careful that we do not fall!
In your service, what ways are you turning your service into ways to seek your own pleasure, interests, glory, security, and/or profit? When you serve, do you feel good to tell people that you are in charge of a particular ministry? Do you seek to be praised for doing a good job, to be thanked for taking effort to lead the study? Now, we may not outrightly seek to serve ourselves or glorify ourselves. However, we ought also to watch out for your heart’s tendency to seek that glory from others. That’s why it’s important to serve with others who can and do watch out for our motives. This requires for us to be honest and open as we serve.
Some of us may have never been formally serving the church. But each of us are stewards of what God has entrusted us. Think over your own life. What, or who have you been given stewardship of? What has been entrusted to you, put into your charge? What kind of steward have you been?
Many of us might be familiar with the words of the doxology which is commonly sung – “praise God from whom all blessings flow”. The Bible tells us that all good things come from God; all we have is merely on loan to us. We are stewards of what we have on earth. How do you use the time you have been entrusted with? Where do you invest your time on a regular basis? Do you, like many, invest a significant amount of time on entertainment? Perhaps you don’t engage in such frivolous pursuits; do you spend most or even all your time at work, aiming to hustle so that you can have more, more to give? But in doing so, are we in danger of neglecting the command in Hebrews to gather together, and to spur one another toward good deeds?
Or, how do you use your wealth you’ve been given? What do you spend on? Do you spend on branded goods that you like, quality stuff? In and of itself, having, accumulating, and spending wealth is not wrong. But where are you pouring most of your wealth in? Are you also giving regularly to your church? What about to missions? What about showing hospitality to others in your church?
How have you stewarded your gifts? Have you been asked by your church repeatedly to serve in some area of ministry, and repeatedly turned it down? Why? Have we forsaken opportunities, even duties, to help build up and strengthen our local church with the gifts we have been given? Or if we do serve, do we do it so that others can see us doing good works in church, serving in church, that others might think well of us?
And again, consider your relationships with the people around you. When you go out with your friends, is it only to do things that make you feel good, that benefit you? Or do you try to get to know the people you meet in church, at your workplace, in your schools, where you go? Do you show love and care and concern for your family, friends, and relatives? Or do you live as though they exist simply to meet your needs
Think – what is it that God has entrusted you with? How have you stewarded all that has been entrusted to you?
(B) The Servant of the Lord with the Key of David (Isa 22:20-25, Rev 1:9-20)
God replaces Shebna with Eliakim the son of Hilkiah (Isa 22:20). All that Shebna had would be passed to Eliakim instead, and this included the robe or tunic and sash, where these garments indicated status and his role (Isa 22:21). He was also to pass over the key, which is placed on Eliakim’s shoulder. This key could signify authority and his power (Isa 22:22). What exactly is this key? What does it do? We are unsure. It might be the key to the treasury, and likely something to do with royal documents or authority. Placing it on the shoulder also connotes this duty and care, with the weight of the role.
Eliakim shall also be a “father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah” (Isa 22:21). This connotes a responsibility of care and duty for their lives and livelihoods. He bears this responsibility well. He has authority to open and close, no one else can override him.
As previously considered, as Christians, we are all stewards in God’s kingdom. We too, have been given responsibilities on behalf of God. And one role that the steward is to play is to be a father, a parent. Have you been a spiritual father or mother to someone else? Who have you cared for, discipled, and guided in the faith? Or perhaps, who are the ones who have been spiritual fathers or mothers to you? Look to these examples of faithful stewards, and imitate them as they have imitated Christ. How can we care for the people that God has entrusted us with?
For example, how have you cared for the parents whom God has entrusted you with? Do they have practical needs or emotional needs that you can attend to as children? If our parents are believer, we can encourage them in the faith and seek to guard their faith. If they are not believers, we can seek to share with them the reason for our faith? In both cases, do you behave in a way that reflects the transforming power of Christ in you? Do you seek opportunities to share the gospel with them? Some of you may have strained relationships with your parents, perhaps because of difficult childhood experiences, even abuse. They might have sinned against you. Do you exercise forgiveness and show grace, just as you have been shown mercy and grace through our Lord Jesus Christ?
And we can go on to consider our other relationships in a similar manner — our brothers or sisters? Friends?
Note also the language that God uses. Repeatedly, the phrase he uses is “I will”. The things that God says and speaks of, will come to pass. He will establish his plans. His sovereignty is unchallenged. It is recorded in Isaiah 36:1-3 that Eliakim the son of Hilkiah is put over the household, while Shebna becomes the secretary. So Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled, and God’s word is shown to be true.
God establishes Eliakim as a secure peg (Isa 22:23b). He will become a ‘throne of honour’ to his family. This is significant – who sits on a throne? Kings sit on thrones; stewards manage the kingdom in place of their King. They will hang all their honour, their hopes on him. In Middle Eastern cultures, they would have pegs in the kitchen to hang all their utensils.
He seems secure at first, as everything is fastened on him (Isa 22:24). Though God establishes Eliakim as a secure peg, ultimately that peg will give way and will be cut down and fall (Isa 22:25). As Eliakim is removed and cut down from his position, so “the load that was on it will be cut off” – all that was hung on him comes tumbling down.
We are not told much about how Eliakim fulfils his role, but he seems like a good and faithful servant. But this also reminds us that none of us will last forever. The authority and position that we have will not last forever too! On what or on whom do you hang your hopes on? In whom or what do we trust? None of it will last. It will all pass away.
Do you pin your hopes on a particular person? Or on something you have or have achieved — your job, skills, savings or insurance policies? They may be secure like a peg for now. But He can cut it down – to turn his people back to him. We see this pattern across God’s oracles to the nations – He denounces their reliance on things other than himself and calls them to repentance.
Thus, instead of pinning our hopes on things on this earth, we need to have a realistic view of them. Things can change, as solid and secure as they may seem. God gives, and he takes away. Let us not forsake the Giver for His Gifts. We need to number our days and know that we take none of these with us when we die. Instead, let us learn to pin our hopes on God, who is unchanging. Psalm 18:1-2 reminds us that God is our rock and fortress and deliverer. Trust in the Rock, and we will not be moved or shaken (c.f. Ps 55:22, 62:1-2). Then, we will not be shaken.
Revelations 3:7 mentions another Servant who has the Key of David. Let us compare the description in Isaiah 22 and Revelation.
Years later after Isaiah writes these words in Isaiah 22, There will be another one who will have the government upon His shoulder. And He will not just be a steward who is like a father. He will also be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
While Eliakim’s robe belongs to another and is conferred to him, Jesus’ robe is long and his sash is golden, conveying the majesty and prominence of his role. Jesus did not inherit a hand-me-down, and is a true and better steward.
Eliakim was cut down, but Jesus’ authority and rule lasts. Jesus’ authority is over the church, the description of his appearance gives us a further description of the extent of his power. Elsewhere in Matthew 28 we know that all authority in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus.
Eliakim is father over the nation of Judah, and in charge of the palace in place of the Davidic king. Jesus himself is called Everlasting Father – he is eternal; he also is ascribed titles which only God himself has – Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. Jesus’ keys are not limited to an earthly kingdom, but to the very gates of life and death. Jesus is not just a servant with temporary authority – he Himself is the promised offspring of David, to whom the Kingdom is given and whose dominion shall last forever and ever, Amen!
As we close off this section, we see clearly that Eliakim points forward to Jesus. This is an encouragement and hope for us tonight. Do you feel like a faltering servant, constantly struggling with self-interest, pride, self-glory? Do you struggle to hold loosely to earthly things, and forget that all of this life is temporal? Do you have difficulties serving with eternity in mind?
Cast your hopes not on the seemingly secure pegs of wealth, of power, of achievement, or of wordly wisdom. Cast your hopes on the holy one, the true one, who holds the Key of David, who opens and none can shut, who shuts and none can open. He is our rock, our salvation, our fortress, we shall not be shaken.