What are the true dangers of hindering the spreading of the Gospel? What lies in hold for a person that proactively attempts to discourage someone from responding to the Gospel, or even to listening to it? What is the consequence of placing Jehovah God in a lineup with a host of false gods? The worst case scenario for each of these questions can be answered in chapters 36 and 37 of Isaiah.
In the beginning of chapter 36, we have the king of Assyria, who seemingly has offered himself to test and answer all of the above questions as he prepares to come up against Judah. Remember, these are God’s people with whom he had made a promise to defend, deliver, and preserve back in chapter 31 and verse 5.
As in any battle, especially a spiritual one, the first thing that seems to be attacked is where one’s trust lies. It is no different here with the king of Assyriaas as he directly attacked the LORD’s credibility and trustworthiness in v.5 and 7. The second initiative in any war is to attack and harm the credibility and trustworthiness of the commanders in the field. In this instance we take note that Rabshakeh, in error, attempts to fight against God’s chosen man in v.14 and 15. And we see that he, just as satan always does, has mixed in a bit of truth, as he presents to the people that Hezekiah will “not be able to deliver” (36:14) them.
As a continuance of attack on Jehovah God, we see in verses 18 thru 20, that He is cast into the same class with the same inabilities as all of there false gods.
In chapter 37 we see that Hezekiah pronounces the truth, and Isaiah, by the word of the LORD, confirms that the comments and actions which lead up to this point are blasphemous in nature.
Finally in chapter 37 and verse 35, as promised, God defends the city and the worst case scenarios for all of the above questions are realized with one swift miracle of God.
This world that we live in has no concept of the mercy that God is showing them at this very moment.
– D.C. Mills, Born2Serve Ministries – Feb. 17, 2004
