![]() Presumptuous Self Promotion – Seeking a Kingly Legacy in Jerusalem Van Parunak: Isaiah here suggests that he is an opportunistic intruder with no real interest in Jerusalem.ģ. Name of his father not given possibly from an Egyptian family from the intensity of the prophet’s rebuke it would seem that more was involved than just his mindset of selfish ambition probably was advocating for some type of Egyptian alliance to protect the nation against the Assyrian threatīeall: It may be simply that Shebna was advocating pro-Egyptian policies (see chaps. This kind of experience was typical of the prophets: when they were least wanted, in moments of fear or pride or self-sufficiency, that was the moment they appeared. If so, these biting words must have been especially humiliating. He may have been feeling particularly expansive and pleased with himself. Oswalt: Probably Shebna had come out from the city in a handsomely equipped chariot (v. ![]() Motyer: The first interrogative (ma) questions Shebna’s personal right, the second (mi) implicitly denies him a position by reason of family name. Perverse Intentions - Challenging the Authority and Heritage of This OutsiderĪlmost identical question that the prophet had for the nation back up in verse 1Įxactly what are your intentions? What are you trying to accomplish? What is your motivation? How loyal are you to God’s agenda and God’s kingdom purposes? He controls access to the King – very critical functionĢ. ![]() this position, borrowed from Egypt, was probably “a threat to the true nature of the kingship and the theocracy” Young the phrase “this steward” probably contains a shade of contempt. Might sound to us like some type of lower level servant – almost like the butler in a Downton Abbey – but actually this position is second only to King Hezekiah he is functioning as the chief of staff he is in charge of the daily affairs of the kingdom like the position Joseph had in the house of Potiphar and royal court of Pharaoh (Gen. “this steward, to Shebna, who is in charge of the royal household,” “Thus says the Lord God of hosts, ‘Come, go to’” (:15-19) EXAMPLE OF PRESUMPTUOUS SELF PROMOTION LEADING TO CONDEMNATION = SHEBNA These two prominent leaders represent two very different types of failures that lead to the same end result.Ģ CONTRASTING LEADERSHIP MODELS INVOLVING PROMOTION AND CONDEMNATION We have jumped from the big picture to a very specific Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey approach. ![]() In the second half of the chapter, the same theme of condemning self-reliance is developed by looking at specific case history of two particular individuals – Shebna and Eliakim. This unbelief on their part constituted the unpardonable sin. We saw Isaiah weeping over the apostasy of God’s people who were immersed in a culture of self indulgence and frivolity when they should have been weeping in genuine repentance over their careless indifference and carnal partying. God brings devastating panic and bondage and confusion. In the first half of the Oracle of the Valley of Vision directed against Jerusalem, we saw the big picture of what happens when a nation forgets God and chooses to trust instead in their own defenses. SELF-RELIANCE LEADS TO CONDEMNATION – WHETHER THE FAULT LIES WITH THE LEADER (AND HIS PRESUMPTUOUS SELF PROMOTION) OR WITH THE PEOPLE (AND THEIR PROCLIVITY FOR HERO WORSHIP)
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