TREASURES FROM GOD'S WORD, Week of January 12-18, 2026, What we learn from what happened to Shebna, Prepared Speech.

TREASURES FROM GOD'S WORD, January 12-18, 2026, What we learn from what happened to Shebna, Prepared Speech.

What do we learn from what happened to Shebna? (10 mins.)

Discipline is never easy to accept. No one likes to be corrected, especially when that correction involves losing prestige or responsibilities. However, the Bible teaches us that discipline is an expression of Jehovah's love and a powerful tool to help us grow spiritually.

To highlight the value of discipline, let us consider the example of two people whom Jehovah disciplined: Shebna, who lived in the days of King Hezekiah, and a brother today named Graham. In this talk, we will first focus on Shebna and then draw practical lessons that will help all of us, regardless of our age or responsibilities in the congregation.

Let us not cease to be humble when we receive more responsibilities in the congregation (Is 22:15-19; w18.03 25 pars. 7-9).

Shebna was a man of great privilege. The Bible indicates that he was “in charge of the house” of King Hezekiah, a position of immense authority and trust (Isaiah 22:15). However, in time he allowed pride to creep into his heart. Instead of using his position to honor Jehovah, he began to seek his own glory. He had a lavish tomb built for himself and rode around in impressive chariots, as if he wanted to be remembered for his personal greatness (Isaiah 22:16-18).

LET'S READ ISAIAH 22:15-19

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies, says: “Go to that steward, Shebna, who is in charge of the house, and say to him: 16 ‘What do you have here, and whom do you have here, that you have hewn out a grave for yourself here?’ He is heaping out a grave for himself on a high place; he is carving out a tomb for himself in the rock. 17 ‘Look! Jehovah will pull you down violently and seize you tightly. 18 He will surely roll you up tightly, like a ball, and hurl you into a spacious land. There you will die, and there your glorious chariots will come to an end, a disgrace to your master’s house. 19 And I will remove you from your position and cast you out of your office.’”

This account leaves us with a very clear warning. When we receive more responsibilities in the congregation—whether as elders, ministerial servants, parents, or brothers with privileges—there is a danger of beginning to think that we are special or more important than others. That is why the Bible reminds us: “Pride goes before a crash, and a haughty spirit before a stumble.” (Proverbs 16:18)

If we currently have special responsibilities, let us sincerely ask ourselves: Am I striving to remain humble? Do I acknowledge that everything I have comes from Jehovah? The apostle Paul expressed this clearly when he asked: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). He added this practical counsel: “Do not think more highly of yourself than is necessary to think, but think in such a way that you have sound judgment.” (Romans 12:3)

If we lose any responsibility, let us continue to give Jehovah our very best (Is 36:3; w18.03 25 par. 10).

Because of his pride, Jehovah decided to remove Shebna from his position and give it to Eliakim (Isaiah 22:19-21). Shortly afterward, when the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah sent Eliakim and two other men to negotiate. One of them was Shebna, who was now serving as the king’s secretary, a much less prominent position than his former one (2 Kings 18:17-25).

LET'S READ ISAIAH 36:3

“Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the house, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went out to meet him.”

A very significant detail is that the Bible does not say that Shebna refused to serve or that he turned away in bitterness. On the contrary, it seems that he humbly accepted his new assignment. This suggests that he allowed Jehovah's discipline to help him change.

This is a valuable lesson for our day. When someone loses a privilege in the congregation, they may feel hurt, discouraged, or even unfairly treated. But Jehovah sees beyond the present moment.

Proverbs 3:11 and 12 reminds us that Jehovah disciplines those he loves. If we humbly accept correction and continue to give him our best in every circumstance, Jehovah will sustain and reward us.

The apostle Peter encourages us with these words: “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, so that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6, 7). When we are like soft clay in Jehovah’s hands, he can mold us and help us to grow spiritually.

If we are parents or elders and need to correct someone using the Bible, let us imitate the way Jehovah corrected Shebna (w18.03 26 par. 11).

Shebna’s case also teaches us how to correct others. Jehovah was firm, clear, and fair. He did not ignore or overlook the problem, but neither did he destroy Shebna as a person. He removed him from his position, yes, but allowed him to continue serving. The discipline had a corrective, not a vengeful, purpose.

This is especially important for parents and elders. When we need to correct someone, we should do so based on the Bible, with love, and with the aim of helping, not humiliating. Like Jehovah, we should show that we trust the person can change and improve.

When discipline is given with love, it produces good results. It may hurt at first, but over time it strengthens faith and the relationship with Jehovah.

Illustration

The picture in our activity guide shows a brother receiving loving counsel and allowing himself to be molded by it. At first, he finds it difficult to accept the advice of the two elders, but he reads the Bible, meditates, and eventually, he enjoys preaching with one of the elders who gave him counsel. This is what Jehovah wants for us: that we allow ourselves to be molded by him and continue serving him with love and humility.

Conclusion

The story of Shebna teaches us three clear and practical lessons. First, we should never lose our humility when we are given responsibilities. Second, if we lose a privilege, we should continue serving Jehovah wholeheartedly. And third, when we have to correct others, we should do so like Jehovah: with firmness, justice, and love.

If we apply these lessons, we will see discipline not as punishment, but as a sign of the love of our Heavenly Father, who always seeks the best for his servants.