Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 25. And in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place depart, and shall be broken and fall: and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off; for the Lord hath spoken it.

Vers. 25. And in that day, saith the Lord of hostes, shall the naile that is fastened in the sure place depart, and shall be broken and fall: and the burden that was vpon it shall be cut off; for the Lord hath spoken it.

This might seem to contradict that which hath been said heretofore: but he speaks no longer now of Eliakim, but returns again to Shebna, who should be put out of his office; as Isaiah had foretold. Otherwise what way or means were there left for Eliakim to come to this honour, unless Shebna were put out? But he had laid his plot in such exquisite manner, that he never imagined any man whatsoever should be able to supplant him. Thus when he took himself to be in best case, and furnished with many means, so as it seemed he was furthest out of danger; even then must he be turned out of all, and Eliakim must succeed him. In that he calls it a faithful or sure place, it must be understood as in regard of men; who think that things fortified on every side, must needs continue always: but God with his only blast overthrows all these munitions. He speaks then by way of granting, when he saith, that this was a sure and stable place. Whence we are to gather, how fondly such glory and trust in their greatness, who are advanced into high places of honour, seeing they may be stripped out of all, and abased in the twinkling of an eye.

THis might seeme to contradict that which hath been said heretofore: but he speakes no longer now of Eliakim, but returnes againe to Shebna, who should be put out of his office; as Isaiah had foretold. Otherwise what way or meanes were there left for Eliakim to come to this honour, vnlesse Shebna were put out? But he had laid his plot in such exquisite manner, that he neuer imagined any man whatsoeuer should bee able to supplant him. Thus when hee tooke himselfe to bee in best case, and furnished with manie meanes, so as it seemed he was furthest out of danger; euen then must hee be turned out of all, and Eliakim must succeed him. In that he calles it a faithfull or sure place, it must bee vnderstood as in regard of men; who thinke that things fortified on euerie side, must needes continue alwaies: but God with his onely blast ouerthrowes all these munitions. Hee speakes then by way of granting, when hee saith, that this was a sure and stable place. Whence we are to gather, how fondly such glorie and trust in their greatnesse, who are aduanced into high places of honour, seeing they may be stripped out of all, and abased in the twinckling of an eye.