And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz And he sent Eliakim the palace administratorEliakim, whose name means "God will establish," was a high-ranking official in King Hezekiah's court. As the palace administrator, he held a position of significant authority and responsibility, akin to a chief of staff or prime minister. His role in this context underscores the seriousness of the situation, as he was entrusted with delivering a message to the prophet Isaiah. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking divine guidance in times of crisis, as seen in other instances where leaders consult prophets (e.g., 1 Kings 22:7-8). Shebna the scribe
Shebna, identified as the scribe, was responsible for recording and managing official documents. His inclusion in this delegation highlights the importance of accurate communication and documentation in the royal court. In Isaiah 22:15-19, Shebna is criticized for his pride and self-serving actions, which contrasts with his role here, suggesting a possible change in character or a necessity for his skills despite his flaws. and the leading priests
The leading priests were spiritual leaders in Judah, responsible for religious rituals and maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people. Their presence in this delegation indicates the religious gravity of the situation, as they were likely involved in intercessory prayer and seeking God's favor. This aligns with the biblical theme of priestly intercession, as seen in the roles of Aaron and the Levitical priests (Exodus 28:1, Leviticus 16). all wearing sackcloth
Sackcloth was a coarse material worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or distress. The wearing of sackcloth by these officials signifies a collective acknowledgment of Judah's dire circumstances and a humble appeal for divine intervention. This act of humility is consistent with other biblical instances where sackcloth is worn in times of national crisis or personal repentance (e.g., Jonah 3:5-6, Daniel 9:3). to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz
Isaiah, the son of Amoz, was a major prophet in Judah, known for his messages of judgment and hope. His role as a prophet was to convey God's word to the people and the king. The delegation's approach to Isaiah underscores the recognition of his authority as God's spokesperson. Isaiah's prophecies often pointed to the coming of the Messiah, serving as types and foreshadows of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises (Isaiah 53, Matthew 1:22-23). Persons / Places / Events 1. EliakimThe palace administrator, a high-ranking official in King Hezekiah's court, known for his faithfulness and integrity. 2. ShebnaThe scribe, another official in the royal court, previously mentioned in Isaiah 22 for his pride and subsequent demotion. 3. Leading PriestsReligious leaders of Judah, representing the spiritual state and concerns of the nation. 4. SackclothA garment of mourning and repentance, indicating the seriousness of the situation and the humility of those wearing it. 5. Prophet IsaiahA major prophet in Judah, son of Amoz, who served as God's spokesperson during the reign of King Hezekiah. Teaching Points Humility in LeadershipThe wearing of sackcloth by high-ranking officials and priests demonstrates the importance of humility and repentance, especially in times of crisis. Seeking Godly CounselHezekiah's decision to send his officials to Isaiah underscores the value of seeking guidance from godly leaders and prophets. The Role of IntercessionThe involvement of priests highlights the power and necessity of intercessory prayer in seeking God's intervention. Repentance as a National ResponseThe collective act of wearing sackcloth signifies a national acknowledgment of sin and a desire for divine mercy. Faithfulness in ServiceEliakim's role as a faithful servant contrasts with Shebna's earlier pride, reminding us of the importance of integrity in our duties. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the act of wearing sackcloth by Eliakim, Shebna, and the priests signify about their understanding of the situation they faced? 2. How does the role of Isaiah as a prophet in this passage encourage us to seek godly counsel in our own lives? 3. In what ways can we demonstrate humility and repentance in our personal and communal lives today? 4. How does the contrast between Eliakim and Shebna's characters challenge us to examine our own faithfulness and pride? 5. What lessons can we learn from Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat that can be applied to facing challenges in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 19This chapter parallels Isaiah 37, providing additional context and details about the Assyrian threat and Hezekiah's response. Isaiah 22Offers background on Shebna, highlighting his pride and the consequences he faced, contrasting with Eliakim's faithfulness. Jeremiah 36Illustrates the role of scribes and their importance in recording and conveying God's messages. Joel 1:13Discusses the use of sackcloth as a symbol of repentance and mourning, similar to its use in Isaiah 37:2. 2 Chronicles 32Provides a broader historical context of Hezekiah's reign and the Assyrian invasion. People Adrammelech, Amoz, Assyrians, David, Eliakim, Esarhaddon, Haran, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Sharezer, Shebna, TirhakahPlaces Ararat, Arpad, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Gozan, Hamath, Haran, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Libnah, Mount Zion, Nineveh, Rezeph, Sepharvaim, Telassar, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZionTopics Administrator, Amoz, Chief, Clothed, Covered, Covering, Dressed, Elders, Eliakim, Eli'akim, Haircloth, Household, Isaiah, Leading, Palace, Priests, Prophet, Sackcloth, Scribe, Secretary, Senior, Shebna, Themselves, WearingDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 37:2 7773 prophets, role Library Where to Carry Troubles
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.'--ISAIAH xxxvii. 14. When Hezekiah heard the threatenings of Sennacherib's servants, he rent his clothes and went into the house of the Lord, and sent to Isaiah entreating his prayers. When he received the menacing letter, his faith was greater, having been heartened by Isaiah's assurances. So he then himself appealed to Jehovah, spreading …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Triumph of Faith
'And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15. And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16. O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth. 17. Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open Thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations, …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was Ready to Die. He Attempts to Kill Himself. He Commands Antipater to be Slain.
1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and Salvation for Us.
1. Christ not only the minister, but also the author and prince of salvation. Divine grace not obscured by this mode of expression. The merit of Christ not opposed to the mercy of God, but depends upon it. 2. The compatibility of the two proved by various passages of Scripture. 3. Christ by his obedience truly merited divine grace for us. 4. This grace obtained by the shedding of Christ's blood, and his obedience even unto death. 5. In this way he paid our ransom. 6. The presumptuous manner in which …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Concerning the Lord's Supper
There are two passages which treat in the clearest manner of this subject, and at which we shall look,--the statements in the Gospels respecting the Lord's Supper, and the words of Paul. (1 Cor. xi.) Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree that Christ gave the whole sacrament to all His disciples; and that Paul taught both parts of it is so certain, that no one has yet been shameless enough to assert the contrary. Add to this, that according to the relation of Matthew, Christ did not say concerning the bread, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 37:2 NIVIsaiah 37:2 NLTIsaiah 37:2 ESVIsaiah 37:2 NASBIsaiah 37:2 KJV
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