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"What Have You Here?"
--Were we put on earth to build our own legacy?--
In the 22nd chapter of his prophecy, Isaiah was sent with a
divine message to a man named Shebna: “What have you here, and whom
have you here, that you have hewn a sepulcher here, as he who hews
himself a sepulcher on high, who carves a tomb for himself in a rock?
Indeed, the Lord will throw you away violently, O mighty man, and will
surely seize you” (vss. 16-17).
Shebna was the “steward… over the house” of the king (v.
15). His position was probably similar to being the king’s chief of
staff. In his position he doubtless could do many good things, yet he
apparently was exploiting his office for his own selfish interests.
Instead of focusing on the needs of his people (which were great), he
was obsessed with having an expensive and impressive burial vault carved
out for himself.
“What have you here?” the Lord inquired. Shebna was
obviously concerned with building a legacy for his name. (It’s
interesting that archaeologists have unearthed what is believed to be
the lintel of Shebna’s tomb. Even more remarkable is that the lintel
contains “the third longest monument inscription in archaic Hebrew.”¹
Legacy-building, indeed.)
We hear the term ‘legacy-building’ used frequently today in
political circles, especially concerning both current and past senators,
congressmen, and presidents. “How will history remember me?” seems to be
the anxiety of many. If only the goal of them all could be summed up in
the question, “How could I best serve my constituents?” the welfare of
their ‘legacy’ would (more often than not) take care of itself. “When
the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked
man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).
The Lord‘s question, you see (“What have you here?“), is
all about this matter of stewardship. When He places men in positions of
leadership, He doesn’t do so in order for them to seek their own legacy
and notoriety. And we wonder if the Lord wouldn’t ask the same question
of some other leaders today.
“What have you here?” could possibly be the question for
some pastors (spiritual leaders). Their position is certainly not
granted to them for lordship, nor for notoriety-seeking (1 Peter 5:3; 1
Timothy 3:6). While those charged to their care are, yes, to “recognize”
and “esteem” them, their own focus must be to “warn those who
are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with
all” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-14). If a man has taken the position for
the purpose of ’making a name for himself,’ he has joined the ranks of
Shebna and should step down immediately. Fame is not the name of the
game -- service is!
We believe the question, “What have you here?” could be
asked of many parents (family leaders) who, while making a name for
themselves in their secular employment, are forsaking their God-given
responsibility to raise their children. Too many fathers and mothers
have gotten caught up in the ‘ambition trap’ of their work, while their
children are either brought up by someone else or sit alone at home to
be nurtured by the television, computer, and Playstation. We aren’t
seeking to be harsh here. But beloved, a person does not have to be a
steward over a king’s house in order to receive the denunciation Shebna
received. (Remember the one-talent man of Matthew 25?) Parents, what are
you doing with that "heritage" that has undoubtedly been placed
in your hands by the Lord? (Psalm 127:3).
God told Shebna, “Indeed, the Lord will throw you away
violently, O mighty man… He will surely turn violently and toss you like
a ball into a large country” (Isaiah 22:17,18). Those are serious
words about a serious matter, this stewardship.
Our task on earth is to serve others, not to build our own
legacy.
“What have you here?”
--Mike Noble
¹Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, vol. 5,
p.381 |
