Isaiah 22:15-23:18
Dear RTB’ers,
Footnotes and a Commentary helped me to understand a bit more about the second half of chapter 22. The first half of the chapter was about Jerusalem and its people; the second half is about two leaders, Shebna and Eliakim. Surprisingly, we have met these two before, when Assyria was bent on taking Jerusalem: And the king of Assyria sent … the Rabshakeh with a great army … to Jerusalem. … And … there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder. (II Kings 18:17-18) Footnotes tell me that Shebna is a foreigner, not a Jew, but that he has a high position under King Hezekiah. In spite of him being a foreigner, he is planning for his own tomb on some hillside near Jerusalem. But the Lord has other plans for him; he will be cast aside, not even buried, and Eliakim will take his place. I am reminded of a proverb, “Man proposes, but God disposes.” This is actually the New Living Translation of Proverbs 19:21. Here is the ESV: Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. So Eliakim replaces Shebna and brings some measure of security to Jerusalem (vv. 22:20-23). Sadly, however, even that security will be undone (v. 22:25). Man proposes, but God disposes.
More of the same in the next chapter, but in this case, Tyre proposes and God disposes. A better alternative for us: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
Blessings!
Fred