The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

22:15-19 This describes YHWH’s judgment on Shebna, King Hezekiah’s steward. The exact reason forShebna’s replacement with Eliakim (cf. vv. 20-25) is uncertain, but it must have been serious and incontext, may be a “self-reliant spirit.”Shebna is probably “Shebnah” of II Kgs. 18:18, who was Eliakim’s scribe.22:16 This is a series of questions challenging Shebna’s right to serve.22:17-19 Sin has consequences. Leaders are especially responsible. YHWH is described as thepersonal agent of judgment.1. to hurl you, v. 17, BDB 376, KB 373, Pipel PARTICIPLE; and related NOUN (BDB 376), “hurlyou violently”2. to grasp you firmly, v. 17, Qal PERFECT and Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of BDB 742 II, KB 814II3. “roll you tightly like a ball to be cast,” v. 18, Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and Qal IMPERFECTVERB, as well as the NOUN, of the same root (BDB 857, KB 1039)4. die an outcast in a foreign land, v. 18c,d5. “I will depose you,” v. 19, BDB 213, KB 239, Qal PERFECT6. “I will pull you down,” v. 19, BDB 248, KB 256, Qal IMPERFECTThere is an interesting lexical theory connected to #2. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 380-381, suggests that theroot means “delouse,” as a metaphor for complete destruction (cf. Jer. 43:12).22:20-25 These verses describe what YHWH will do to Shebna’s successor, Eliakim (cf. II Kgs. 18:18,26,37; 19:2; Isa. 22:20; 36:3,11,22; 37:2).1. YHWH will summon him, lit. “call,” BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal PERFECT2. YHWH will clothe him with a tunic, v. 21, BDB 527, KB 519, Hiphil PERFECT3. YHWH will tie a sash securely about him, v. 21, VERB from #2 implied4. YHWH will entrust him with your authority, v. 21, BDB 304, KB 302, Piel IMPERFECT5. YHWH will set the key of the house of David on his shoulders, v. 22, BDB 678, KB 733, QalPERFECT6. YHWH will drive him like a peg into a firm place, v. 23, BDB 1075, KB 1787, Qal PERFECT22:21-23 These verses describe what he will do.1. he will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem2. he opens and no one will shut, he shuts and no will open, v. 223. he will become a throne of glory to his father’s house, v. 23 (cf. v. 24)In some sense these verses see Eliakim as a type or foreshadowing of the Messiah. This sameforeshadowing is seen in Zechariah with Zerubbabel and Joshua (cf. Zech. 3-4).22:23 “firm” See Special Topic following, especially II., A., 1., b., (2).SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (0/!)I. Opening StatementIt needs to be stated that the use of this theological concept, so crucial to the NT, is not asclearly defined in the OT. It is surely there, but demonstrated in key selected passages and persons.The OT blends1. the individual and the community2. the personal encounter and covenant obedience221