You say you have counsel and might for war—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me? Isaiah 36:5
The Assyrian king captured Judah.| WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Sennacherib, a tenacious warrior defeated Babylon on his east and then turned to Judah and other kingdoms on his west. He captured Hezekiah’s fortified cities. Though Hezekiah had joined Moab, Philistia, and others in rebelling against Sennacherib, he soon tried to back down. He even stripped the gold from the temple to buy peace, but it was not enough.
Hezekiah’s worst fears had come true. He had seen the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel because of its disobedience to God (2 Kings 18:9-12). He had faithfully removed all the idols from his nation. And yet, here were the invaders at his gates.
Backed by a strong army and their recent successes, Rabshakeh, commander of the Assyrian army taunted the people of Israel. He stopped outside the walls of Jerusalem and spoke insolently to the people even inciting them to rebel. But the people remained silent, for Hezekiah had commanded his people not to answer him (v21).
Isaiah had consistently warned Judah that God had brought Assyria to punish them for their sins but would also cause Israel to turn to God (chap 1-35). Now the time had come. The temptation to doubt God’s presence must have been very strong. But Judah was not to resist Assyria nor think that they could stand on their own. They were not to seek outside help either. They were to trust the Lord, completely.
In what situation is God asking you to trust Him completely, though you are tempted to look for outside help?
Lord, the wave of fear is strong, but give me the courage to trust you completely, I pray.
Extended Reading — Isaiah 35-36
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