In the twenty second chapter of Isaiah we find an interesting encounter between the prophet Isaiah and a man named Shebna. Shebna was a palace governor of King Hezekiah, involved in the negotiations with Sennacherib when he besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:18, 26, 37; 19:2; Isa. 36:3, 11, 22; 37:2). Some Bible commentators believe that Shebna’s role was likened to a prime minister.Shebna carried great responsibility for the well-being of Israel, both spiritually and politically.
Isaiah met Shebna on the side of a mountain. God begins by asking, in essence, “What are you doing here? And who do you think you are?” Shebna was acting in arrogance. He was acting like he was a somebody. God was not impressed with his presumption and audacity. He was in a place he wasn’t supposed to be. He was doing something he shouldn’t be doing.
Apparently Shebna had decided to put much of his energy in building himself an ornate tomb. This tomb would be a monument to his life. It’s one thing to prepare for the future, like purchasing a tombstone or gravesite, but it’s another when you put all of your effort into something that has very little meaning.
Shebna could have been using his power to serve the people of Israel, but instead wanted to dress up his own monument. His legacy and reputation was his great concern. He cares very little for the people’s glory, or for God’s glory, but cares deeply about his own glory.
Isaiah tells Shebna that far from being important and significant, he is a “disgrace to his master’s house” (Isa. 22:18). Instead of being memorialized before all the people, he will be wadded up and thrown away like a piece of paper. No more beautiful chariots. No more worldly prominence. Shebna was going to be pulled down from his self-imposed lofty status.
Shebna wasted his life on something so insignificant when he could have been doing something that gave meaning to so many. There on the side of the mountain was an empty to tomb, a memorial for a wasted life.
Not far from Jerusalem is another tomb. This tomb belonged to a man named Joseph of Arimathea. Rather than be buried there, he gave that tomb to the body of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ didn’t come to be served, but to serve, to give His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).
Beloved, Jesus Christ is the example that we should follow. He made Himself of no reputation. Jesus didn’t come and try to make a monument for Himself. Rather, He became a servant to all. Let us live for God’s glory, and not for our own