Sennacherib Boasts Against The Lord
August 14, 2021
Commentary
In an attempt to deter Sennacherib, Hezekiah paid tribute, but this did not seem to sway the Assyrian’s determination. Instead Sennacherib sent three officers with a large force to Jerusalem (v. 17) to demand complete surrender. At first they presented their demands only to Hezekiah’s representatives (vv. 17-27) but eventually to all of the people of Jerusalem (vv. 28-37).
Sennacherib’s field commander, Rabshakeh was the spokesman for the Assyrian king. His objective was to intimidate Hezekiah into surrendering and frighten and demoralize the general population. He told them that they could not depend on Egypt helping them because they were too weak. Furthermore he said that their God would not help them because Hezekiah had destroyed all the altars of worship (high places). Rabshakeh made sure all of the people gathered around to hear what he was saying. He also said that refusal to surrender would result in a terrible famine.
The commander told them that the Assyrians would transport the people to other cities. He assured them that they would be sent to a land like their own where they would have plenty of their favorite foods and drink. It was a call to choose surrender and life rather than resistance and certain death. The people remained silent and gave the Assyrians no answer as Hezekiah had instructed them to do. Hezekiah’s three representatives returned to the king and told him all that had been said.
Application
God rules over both light and darkness, over peace and calamity. Both of these experiences are needed for me to grow spiritually. When good times come I need to thank God and when bad times come, don’t resist them but seek what I can learn from this refining experience to make me a better servant of God.
Isaiah 45:1– 13 (NET)
1 “This is what the Lord says to his chosen one, to Cyrus, whose right hand I hold in order to subdue nations before him, and disarm kings, to open doors before him, so gates remain unclosed:
2 ‘I will go before you and level mountains. Bronze doors I will shatter and iron bars I will hack through.
3 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stashed away in secret places, so you may recognize that I am the Lord, the one who calls you by name, the God of Israel.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, Israel, my chosen one, I call you by name and give you a title of respect, even though you do not submit to me.
5 I am the Lord, I have no peer, there is no God but me. I arm you for battle, even though you do not recognize me.
6 I do this so people will recognize from east to west that there is no God but me; I am the Lord, I have no peer.
7 I am the one who forms light and creates darkness; the one who brings about peace and creates calamity. I am the Lord, who accomplishes all these things.
8 O sky, rain down from above! Let the clouds send down showers of deliverance! Let the earth absorb it so salvation may grow, and deliverance may sprout up along with it. I, the Lord, create it.’”
9 One who argues with his Creator is in grave danger, one who is like a mere shard among the other shards on the ground! The clay should not say to the potter, “What in the world are you doing? Your work lacks skill!”
10 Danger awaits one who says to his father, “What in the world are you fathering?” and to his mother, “What in the world are you bringing forth?”
11 This is what the Lord says, the Holy One of Israel, the one who formed him, concerning things to come: “How dare you question me about my children! How dare you tell me what to do with the work of my own hands!
12 I made the earth; I created the people who live on it. It was me—my hands stretched out the sky. I give orders to all the heavenly lights.
13 It is me—I stir him up and commission him; I will make all his ways level. He will rebuild my city; he will send my exiled people home, but not for a price or a bribe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Illustration: The Most Deadly Instrument is Not a Gun
The second most deadly instrument is a loaded gun. The first is the human tongue. The gun merely kills bodies. The tongue kills reputations and oftentimes ruins character. (Source Unknown – Lou Nicholes, Missionary/Author).