When the Rabshakeh heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah. When the Rabshakeh heardThe term "Rabshakeh" refers to a high-ranking Assyrian military official or chief cupbearer, a title rather than a personal name. In the context of ancient Near Eastern politics, the Rabshakeh was a significant figure, often entrusted with diplomatic and military missions. His role in the narrative underscores the gravity of the Assyrian threat to Judah. The act of hearing implies a change in circumstances, suggesting that the Rabshakeh was responsive to the shifting dynamics of the Assyrian campaign. that the king of Assyria had left Lachish
Lachish was a fortified city in Judah, strategically important and heavily fortified. The Assyrian king, likely Sennacherib, had been besieging Lachish, a campaign well-documented in Assyrian annals and reliefs. The departure from Lachish indicates a shift in military focus, possibly due to strategic needs or developments elsewhere. This movement highlights the fluid nature of ancient warfare and the constant need for adaptability in military strategy. he withdrew
The withdrawal of the Rabshakeh signifies a tactical retreat or redeployment. In military terms, this could suggest a response to new orders or a reassessment of priorities. The decision to withdraw reflects the complex decision-making processes in ancient military campaigns, where leaders had to balance multiple fronts and threats. and found the king fighting against Libnah
Libnah was another city in Judah, indicating that the Assyrian campaign was extensive and involved multiple targets. The mention of the king fighting against Libnah suggests ongoing military operations and the relentless nature of Assyrian expansion. This phrase highlights the persistent threat faced by Judah and the broader geopolitical struggles of the region. The historical context of Assyrian military campaigns, known for their brutality and efficiency, underscores the dire situation for the people of Judah. Persons / Places / Events 1. RabshakehA high-ranking Assyrian military official and spokesman for King Sennacherib. He was involved in delivering messages to the people of Judah, attempting to intimidate them into surrender. 2. King of Assyria (Sennacherib)The ruler of the Assyrian Empire during this time, known for his military campaigns and efforts to expand his empire, including the siege of Jerusalem. 3. LachishA significant city in Judah that was under siege by the Assyrian army. It was a strategic location and its capture was crucial for Assyria's campaign against Judah. 4. LibnahAnother city in Judah that became the focus of the Assyrian military efforts after Lachish. The shift in focus indicates the ongoing military campaign in the region. 5. HezekiahAlthough not mentioned directly in this verse, King Hezekiah of Judah is a central figure in the surrounding account, as he seeks God's deliverance from the Assyrian threat. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite the overwhelming threat from Assyria, the account encourages believers to trust in God's control over all circumstances. He is sovereign over nations and their leaders. The Power of PrayerHezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat was to seek God in prayer. This teaches the importance of turning to God in times of crisis and relying on His guidance and deliverance. God's Faithfulness to His PeopleThe shift in the Assyrian campaign from Lachish to Libnah demonstrates God's intervention and faithfulness to protect His people, even when the situation seems dire. The Futility of Human ArroganceThe Assyrian arrogance, as represented by the Rabshakeh, ultimately leads to their downfall. This serves as a reminder of the futility of human pride against God's plans. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the movement of the Assyrian army from Lachish to Libnah reflect God's intervention in the situation? What does this teach us about God's timing and methods? 2. In what ways can we apply Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat to our own lives when facing overwhelming challenges? 3. How does the account of the Assyrian siege in Isaiah 37 encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty over world events today? 4. What lessons can we learn from the Rabshakeh's role in the account about the dangers of relying on human power and intimidation? 5. How can the account of God's deliverance in Isaiah 37 inspire us to pray with faith and confidence in God's ability to act on our behalf? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 18-19This passage provides a parallel account of the events described in Isaiah 37, offering additional details about the Assyrian siege and Hezekiah's response. Isaiah 36The preceding chapter sets the stage for Isaiah 37, detailing the Assyrian threats and the psychological warfare employed by the Rabshakeh against Jerusalem. Psalm 46This psalm is often associated with God's deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat, emphasizing God's protection and sovereignty. 2 Chronicles 32This chapter also recounts the Assyrian invasion and highlights Hezekiah's faith and leadership in seeking God's intervention. 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, Departed, Ears, Fighting, Findeth, Got, Journeyed, Lachish, Libnah, Making, Rabshakeh, Rab'shakeh, Rab-shakeh, Returned, Turneth, War, Warring, WithdrewDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 37:7 5064 spirit, emotional Isaiah 37:6-7 8833 threats 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 37:8 NIVIsaiah 37:8 NLTIsaiah 37:8 ESVIsaiah 37:8 NASBIsaiah 37:8 KJV
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