Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives." Perhaps the LORD your GodThe phrase begins with "Perhaps," indicating a sense of hope and uncertainty. The Hebrew root for "perhaps" (אוּלַי, 'ulay) suggests a possibility or hope for divine intervention. This reflects the faith of Hezekiah and his people, who, despite the dire circumstances, still hold onto the hope that God will act on their behalf. The use of "the LORD your God" emphasizes a personal relationship with Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, highlighting the intimacy and trust that Hezekiah places in God. will hear the words of the Rabshakeh
The Rabshakeh was a high-ranking Assyrian official, and his words were meant to intimidate and demoralize the people of Judah. The Hebrew word for "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just listening but also understanding and responding. This suggests that Hezekiah is appealing to God to not only be aware of the blasphemous words but to take them seriously and act upon them. The historical context here is crucial, as the Assyrian Empire was a dominant force, and their threats were not to be taken lightly. whom his master the king of Assyria has sent
This phrase underscores the authority and power structure of the Assyrian Empire. The king of Assyria, likely Sennacherib at this time, was known for his military conquests and ruthless tactics. The sending of the Rabshakeh signifies a direct challenge not just to Judah but to their God. Historically, Assyria was known for its propaganda and psychological warfare, and this mission was part of that strategy. to ridicule the living God
The term "ridicule" (חָרַף, charaph) in Hebrew conveys a sense of defiance and blasphemy. The Rabshakeh's words were not just an insult to the people but a direct affront to Yahweh, the "living God." This title for God emphasizes His active presence and power, contrasting with the lifeless idols of the surrounding nations. Theologically, this highlights the central conflict between the pagan nations and the God of Israel, who is alive and sovereign. and will rebuke him for the words
The word "rebuke" (גָּעַר, ga'ar) in Hebrew suggests a strong reprimand or correction. Hezekiah is expressing his hope that God will not only hear but also respond decisively to the blasphemy. This reflects a common biblical theme where God defends His honor and the faith of His people by acting against those who oppose Him. that the LORD your God has heard
Reiterating "the LORD your God" emphasizes the personal and covenantal relationship between God and His people. The assurance that God "has heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) reinforces the belief that God is attentive to the cries and concerns of His people. This is a source of comfort and hope for the faithful remnant in Judah. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that still survives
The call to "offer a prayer" (הֵרִים תְּפִלָּה, herim tefillah) is an appeal for intercession. The "remnant" (שְׁאָר, she'ar) refers to the faithful few who remain true to God amidst adversity. This concept of a remnant is significant throughout the Bible, symbolizing hope and continuity of God's promises. Historically, the survival of a remnant was crucial for the continuation of God's covenant with Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah during the time of the Assyrian threat. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of Judah. 2. RabshakehA high-ranking Assyrian official sent by King Sennacherib to deliver a message of intimidation and blasphemy against the God of Israel. 3. King of Assyria (Sennacherib)The ruler of the Assyrian Empire, known for his military campaigns and attempts to conquer Judah. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is being ridiculed by the Assyrian envoy. 5. The RemnantThe faithful survivors in Judah who are encouraged to trust in God despite the overwhelming threat from Assyria. Teaching Points Faith in CrisisHezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat teaches us to turn to God in prayer during times of crisis, trusting in His power and sovereignty. The Power of PrayerThe call to pray for the remnant underscores the importance of intercessory prayer and seeking God's intervention in difficult situations. God's Honor and GloryThe passage highlights the importance of God's honor, reminding us to stand firm against blasphemy and to uphold His name in our lives. The Remnant PrincipleGod's preservation of a faithful remnant encourages believers to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God is always working to preserve His people. Divine RebukeThe expectation of God's rebuke against the Assyrian blasphemy assures us that God will ultimately defend His name and His people against all forms of opposition. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat model a faithful approach to crisis for believers today? 2. In what ways can we apply the concept of the "remnant" to our own spiritual communities and personal faith journeys? 3. How does the account of Hezekiah and the Assyrian threat encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty and power over seemingly insurmountable challenges? 4. What can we learn from Hezekiah's call to prayer about the role of intercession in our spiritual lives and communities? 5. How does the assurance of God's rebuke against blasphemy and opposition strengthen our resolve to uphold His honor in a secular world? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 19This chapter parallels Isaiah 37 and provides additional context to the events, including Hezekiah's prayer and God's response through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 10:20-22Discusses the concept of the remnant of Israel, emphasizing God's faithfulness to preserve a faithful group despite judgment. Psalm 46A psalm of trust in God as a refuge and strength, relevant to Hezekiah's reliance on God during the Assyrian threat. 2 Chronicles 32Offers another account of Hezekiah's reign and the Assyrian invasion, highlighting Hezekiah's faith and God's deliverance. People Adrammelech, Amoz, Assyrians, David, Eliakim, Esarhaddon, Haran, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Sharezer, Shebna, TirhakahPlaces Ararat, Arpad, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Gozan, Hamath, Haran, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Libnah, Mount Zion, Nineveh, Rezeph, Sepharvaim, Telassar, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZionTopics Asshur, Assyria, Commander, Decided, Defy, Ear, Evil, Hast, Lift, Lifted, Master, Mock, Nothing, Offer, Perhaps, Prayer, Rabshakeh, Rab'shakeh, Rab-shakeh, Rebuke, Remnant, Reproach, Reprove, Rest, Ridicule, Survives, Taunt, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 37:4 1080 God, living
7145 remnant
8817 ridicule, objects of Isaiah 37:3-4 4921 day Library Where to Carry Troubles
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.'--ISAIAH xxxvii. 14. When Hezekiah heard the threatenings of Sennacherib's servants, he rent his clothes and went into the house of the Lord, and sent to Isaiah entreating his prayers. When he received the menacing letter, his faith was greater, having been heartened by Isaiah's assurances. So he then himself appealed to Jehovah, spreading …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Triumph of Faith
'And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15. And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16. O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth. 17. Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open Thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations, …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was Ready to Die. He Attempts to Kill Himself. He Commands Antipater to be Slain.
1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and Salvation for Us.
1. Christ not only the minister, but also the author and prince of salvation. Divine grace not obscured by this mode of expression. The merit of Christ not opposed to the mercy of God, but depends upon it. 2. The compatibility of the two proved by various passages of Scripture. 3. Christ by his obedience truly merited divine grace for us. 4. This grace obtained by the shedding of Christ's blood, and his obedience even unto death. 5. In this way he paid our ransom. 6. The presumptuous manner in which …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Concerning the Lord's Supper
There are two passages which treat in the clearest manner of this subject, and at which we shall look,--the statements in the Gospels respecting the Lord's Supper, and the words of Paul. (1 Cor. xi.) Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree that Christ gave the whole sacrament to all His disciples; and that Paul taught both parts of it is so certain, that no one has yet been shameless enough to assert the contrary. Add to this, that according to the relation of Matthew, Christ did not say concerning the bread, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 37:4 NIVIsaiah 37:4 NLTIsaiah 37:4 ESVIsaiah 37:4 NASBIsaiah 37:4 KJV
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