Exposition by Max A Forsythe
Years ago, when I was doing some research into my family history, I came across a one line record that during the reign of Bobby Bruce in the 14th century, there was a Forsyth appointed to the office of warden of Sterling Castle. Now, that honor should not be thought too highly of; after all, the warden was only the chief custodian responsible for the care and safety of the King's primary castle. The family rates a very minor footnote in history to be sure.
In the language of the fifties, the janitor of our school was a wonderful person who not only cared for the building but watched over and advised the students. Long before there was such a thing as a counselor, the janitor was there to listen and advise.
In the public schools today janitors are becoming known as environmental specialists. With the specialized title has come a particular power base as well. Now if you want a light bulb changed, a teacher can no longer talk to the environmental specialist in the hallway and mention it casually. No, no a typed work order must be filled out and five self important signatures attached! Maybe in a week the bulb will be replaced. The same delay comes with supply requests for the class room.
Time was, when you could go into the supply room and sign out a year's supply of pencils, paper and such. Now a requisition must be filled out and submitted. It reminds me of when I was in the Army and we ran out of the correct form to request any forms. The supply system insisted we needed one of those forms to get a form! We were stuck in a catch twenty-two situation. It took a Major to break through the red tape and get a form to order the form to requisition more forms!
There is a story told of one congressman who was put in charge of paper, pencils and office supplies for the whole House of Representatives in Washington DC. He quickly became one of the major power brokers because no one got any office supplies until they paid him a favor. He was a legend in the halls of Congress until he was finally eclipsed by Lyndon B Johnson. There was a man who understood power. All by himself he was able to broker his way into the White House and once there, he was able to burden our country with the Great Society programs which have doubled their expense to the public every few years. Before Johnson the Federal budget was barely 100 billion dollars; since his "reign" the known budget has doubled four times over! And all from a rather bad petty politician who kept a little black book in which he recorded favors received and given!
With all of this said, you can begin to comprehend the political problem addressed here in the last half of Isaiah twenty-two. Shebna's office is titled "steward, treasurer, minister or secretary" in charge of the palace. Again, a mere footnote to history, but Shebna had other plans! So much so that he got more than he bargained for. He who would carve out for himself a tomb in the place of kings will lose even the position he has in disgrace. What may we learn from this demotion? Perhaps a little humility in our workplaces and an understanding that God indeed allows whom He will into positions of power and influence! In the eighties very much was said and done in the Name of Christ to influence the policies and politics of this country. Great was the joy when grand old Ronald came to power. Many of his policies were meant well and certain limitations were placed on progressive liberalism. However, he is gone and all of his work undone in a few weeks last year.
Sometimes we all think too highly of ourselves and our abilities to accomplish what is right and true. We also sometimes strive for positions above and beyond our capabilities. One social commentator this week insisted that the greatest danger threatening the financial health of the nation is the fact that too many people are trying to live beyond their means and project themselves beyond their capacity to produce. Could we be comfortable with less and content with the work the Lord has placed before us, very much more time could spent in enjoying the responsibilities of family and friendship which the Lord has given to us all.
Would we be faithful in the immediate manner of Eliakim son of Hilkiah, the Lord may make good use of us each and everyone. But even as the Lord pushes His own servants forward, there are scruples that need to be observed. The second lesson to be learned from our text is that the work we are given does not belong to us. Now the text of the last few verses is difficult indeed. The symbolism here seems to indicate that the family of Eliakim was not as devout.
The hint in the last verse indicates that too much weight will be put on the peg in the wall. Earlier in this passage we were informed in verse twenty-three that Eliakim's peg would be firmly driven into the wall. That nailing indicates that it will be strong enough to hold him and his father's honor. However the weight of nepotism appears to cause Eliakim's downfall. Perhaps we can find a comparison in the rise of Napoleon. Once in power, Napoleon promoted every brother to kingship and married off every sister as well. Like politicians in every age, his close friends and loyal comrades were also raised to high position far beyond their competence. At long last, during the hundred days, key positions were wasted by being given for loyalty rather than competence. Waterloo came hard. Such is the hazard of every political enterprise. Well should we learn our lesson here. Whatever trust we have been given, let us guard it well.
One of the reasons for all of the paperwork at our school is a long history of abuse by staff and teachers. Copies were made without payment. Supplies were taken, sold or used for personal enterprises. Several thousand dollars worth of 900 calls were made and billed to the taxpayers. Abuses there were without number; well did the administration need to control the cancerous outflow. Unfortunately these things go on in very many business and government offices. Supposedly, a whole dump truck disappeared in our county, and in a neighboring county a minister retired early because his own son had "borrowed" some township money!
Finally, we have only to remember the Bakers and Jimmy Swaggart to understand that those who become key people in their earthy empires are very much more like the world than they would have us know. Do you wonder why God's people are sometimes left out of power? Well, here we see why; the very best of intentions are not enough when confronted with powers beyond our best control. May the Lord bless us with enough to keep ourselves and our family's needs met, and may our desires for greatness be tempered with the reality of our frail condition. Amen.
Resources Used:
Thomas, Derek..
Welwyn Commentary Series: God Delivers.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah.
The Holy Bible.
New International Version (1984 Edition)
NOTE: I am not able to automatically
recommend any future editions.
Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America) -
Box 13926 - Columbus, OH 43213
(c) 2001 12
March 1994
Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.