Isaiah 22:25

In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it. NAIL THAT IS FASTENED - Shebna, who was supposed to be firmly fixed in his post. AND THE BURDEN THAT WAS UPON IT SHALL BE CUT OFF - all that were dependent on Shebna, all his emoluments and rank, will fail, as when a peg is suddenly "cut" down, the ornaments on it fall with it. Sin reaches in its effects even to the family of the guilty (). Remarks: The joy and the recklessness of the people of the world form a sad contrast to the terrible doom which awaits them. But this ill-seasoned mirth and the love of pleasure and excitement are still more sad to witness when they are seen in the professing people of God. How bitt...

25._In that day. _It might be thought that this is inconsistent with what he had formerly said; but he no longer speaks of Eliakim, for he returns to Shebna, who was about to be cast down from his rank, as Isaiah had said. But for this, it might have been thought that there was no way by which Eliakim could arrive at that honor, but by the deposition of Shebna, who had arranged his matters so well, that no person thought it possible that he could be driven from his position. Yet though he has fortified himself by many defences, and thinks that he is at a great distance from all danger, still he shall be deprived of his office, and Eliakim shall be placed in his room. _In a sure place. _When he calls it “a sure place,” this must be understood with respect to men; for men judge that what is defended on all sides will be of long duration; but God casts it down with the smallest breath. It w...

15-25 This message to Shebna is a reproof of his pride, vanity, and security; what vanity is all earthly grandeur, which death will so soon end! What will it avail, whether we are laid in a magnificent tomb, or covered with the green sod? Those who, when in power, turn and toss others, will be justly turned and tossed themselves. Eliakim should be put into Shebna's place. Those called to places of trust and power, should seek to God for grace to enable them to do their duty. Eliakim's advancement is described. Our Lord Jesus describes his own power as Mediator, Revelation 3:7, that he has the key of David. His power in the kingdom of heaven, and in ordering all the affairs of that kingdom, is absolute. Rulers should be fathers to those under their government; and the honour men bring unto their families, by their piety and usefulness, is more to be valued than what they derive from them...

Verse Isaiah 22:25. _THE NAIL THAT IS FASTENED_] This must be understood of Shebna, as a repetition and confirmation of the sentence above denounced against him. WHAT is said of Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, Isaiah 22:20, is very remarkable; and the literal meaning is not easy to be understood. From Isaiah 9:6, and from Revelation 3:7, it seems to belong to our Lord alone. The _removal_ of Shebna from being _over the treasure_ of the _Lord's house_, Isaiah 22:19, and the _investiture of Eliakim_ with his robe, g

IN THAT DAY SHALL THE NAIL - Not Eliakim, but Shebna. Eliakim was to be fastened, that is, confirmed in office. But Shebna was to be removed. THAT IS FASTENED IN THE SURE PLACE - Or, that was once fastened, or was supposed to be fastened - a phrase appropriate to an office which the incumbent supposed to be firm or secure. It here refers to Shebna. He was regarded as haying a permanent hold on the office, and was making provisions for ending his days in it. BE REMOVED - To a distant land Isaiah 22:17, or simply taken down. AND BE CUT DOWN, AND FALL - As a spike, pin, or peg would be taken away from the wall of a house. AND THE BURDEN THAT WAS UPON IT - All that it sustained - as the spi

EXPOSITION ISAIAH 22:1 A PROPHECY AGAINST JERUSALEM. The prophet, present in Jerusalem, either actually, or at any rate in spirit, _sees _the inhabitants crowded together upon the housetops, in a state of boisterous merriment (Isaiah 22:1, Isaiah 22:2). Outside the walls is a foreign army threatening the town (Isaiah 22:5). Preparations have been made for resistance, which are described (Isaiah 22:8); but there has been no turning to God. On the contrary, the dange

IN THAT DAY, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS,.... That Shebna is deposed, and Eliakim put in his place: SHALL THE NAIL THAT IS FASTENED IN THE SURE PLACE BE REMOVED, AND BE CUT DOWN, AND FALL; meaning, not Eliakim before spoken of, who really was a nail fastened in a sure place, and not to be removed; but Shebna, who thought himself to be as a nail in a sure place, being put into it by the king, and supported by his authority, and courted by his friends and flatterers; for to him the whole preceding prophecy is directed, which is carried down to this verse; for all that is said of the glory and usefulness of his successor Eliakim was to be told to him, which would make it still the more grievous to him, to be degraded and disgraced as he would be, signified by his being removed, cast down, and falling: AND THE BURDEN THAT [WAS] UPON IT SHALL BE CUT OFF; those that were dependent upon him, his...

CHAPTER 22 The Burden of the Valley of Vision (Jerusalem) 1. _Jerusalem's deplorable state (Isaiah 22:1)_ 2. _The invading armies (Isaiah 22:5)_ 3. _The siege and the calamity (Isaiah 22:8)_ 4. _Shebna (Isaiah 22:15)_ 5. _Eliakim (Isaiah 22:20)_ This is another intensely interesting prophecy. Jerusalem has passed through many sieges and at last in part the prophecy has been fulfilled. But there is another siege of Jerusalem impending. It will come after the message of the fall of the final Babylon. See...

SHEBNA TO BE DEPOSED AND ELIAKIM INSTALLED IN HIS OFFICE. This denunciation of Shebna, who seems to have been a foreigner, was probably due to the obnoxious character of his policy. Presumably he favoured the Egyptian alliance. The sarcastic description of the abuse of Eliakim's position by his relatives, and their subsequent downfall with him, can hardly be due to the author of the remarkable eulogy that has just preceded. Accordingly Isaiah 22:24 f., at least, must be regarded as a later addition, probably by a scribe unfriendly to Eliakim's family. On the other hand, it is not likely that Isaiah 22:19 is also an appendix. Isaiah's address to Shebna may have stopped with Isaiah 22:18 or...

IN THAT DAY. Refers back to the day of Isaiah 22:20, i.e. the day of Shebna's overthrow. This would be the day of Eliakim's exaltation. THE NAIL: which Shebna thought himself to be, but which Jehovah declared Eliakim to be. REMOVED. CUT DOWN. FALL. CUT OFF. Referring to verses: Isaiah 22:17. Figure of speech _Synonymia_, emphasizing the completeness of Shebna's downfall. The _interpretation_ belongs to the two men, but the application refers (1) to the two parties in Jerusalem, and (2) to the Messiah, in Whom the prophecy will be exhausted....