Connect Isaiah 22:15 with Proverbs 16:18 on pride's consequences. Opening the Texts Together “This is what the Lord GOD of Hosts says: ‘Go, say to this steward, to Shebna who is in charge of the palace…’” “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” A Snapshot of Shebna’s Pride (Isaiah 22) • Shebna is the royal administrator—second only to the king in power and influence. • He uses his position for self-promotion, carving out an elaborate tomb for himself (v. 16) instead of caring for God’s people. • God responds by declaring He will “throw you out” (v. 17) and “hurl you into a vast country” (v. 18). • Shebna’s symbol of status (his robe and sash) will be stripped and given to Eliakim (vv. 20-22). Proverbs 16:18 in Action • The proverb states a universal principle; Isaiah 22 shows a concrete case study. • Shebna’s arrogance becomes the direct cause of his downfall—exactly what Solomon warned about. • The sequence is clear: pride → destruction; haughty spirit → fall. Tracing the Pattern Throughout Scripture • Genesis 11:4—Tower builders exalt themselves; God scatters them. • 2 Chronicles 26:16—Uzziah grows proud, enters the temple unlawfully, and is struck with leprosy. • Daniel 4:30-37—Nebuchadnezzar exalts himself; God humbles him until he acknowledges heaven’s rule. • Acts 12:21-23—Herod receives praise as a god; an angel strikes him down. Consequences of Pride Highlighted in Isaiah 22 1. Loss of Position—Shebna is displaced (vv. 19-20). 2. Public Humiliation—his ornate tomb remains as a monument to folly. 3. Divine Reversal—Eliakim, a humble servant, receives authority and honor (v. 22). Principles for Today • God notices motives behind every promotion or platform (1 Samuel 16:7). • Self-aggrandizement invites God’s resistance (James 4:6). • Humility positions us for grace and lasting honor (1 Peter 5:5-6; Matthew 23:12). Living the Lesson • Evaluate any “tombs” we are carving—projects or achievements driven by ego rather than service. • Invite accountability; pride flourishes in isolation but withers under honest fellowship (Proverbs 27:17). • Celebrate others’ successes as readily as our own, mirroring Eliakim’s servant-heart. When Isaiah 22:15 confronts Shebna and Proverbs 16:18 declares the principle, Scripture speaks with one voice: unchecked pride guarantees a fall, but humble reliance on the Lord secures enduring honor. |
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