Compare Isaiah 36:16 with Psalm 118:8. How do they relate to trust in God? Setting the Scene • Isaiah 36 records Assyria’s siege of Jerusalem (c. 701 BC). • The Assyrian spokesman (the Rabshakeh) urges Judah to surrender and abandon confidence in the LORD. • Psalm 118 is a victory song, likely sung after deliverance from hostile nations, celebrating God as the only safe refuge. Isaiah 36:16—A Seductive Human Promise “Do not listen to Hezekiah. For this is what the king of Assyria says: ‘Make peace with me and come out to me; then every one of you will eat from his own vine and fig tree and drink water from his own cistern.’ ” • A direct appeal to basic needs—food, drink, safety. • The offer sounds reasonable, even generous, in the face of siege conditions. • Underneath is a demand: “Shift your trust from God’s covenant promise to Assyria’s military might.” Psalm 118:8—The Superior Alternative “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” • A concise, sweeping principle. • “Better” implies a comparison of outcomes—refuge in God produces life, human reliance ends in disappointment (cf. Psalm 146:3–6; Proverbs 3:5). • The verse sits at the heart of the psalm, structurally and thematically, highlighting its central message. Connecting the Dots • Isaiah 36:16 presents the temptation: “Trust powerful people and immediate, visible relief.” • Psalm 118:8 responds with timeless wisdom: “God alone is worthy of ultimate trust.” • The two verses form a contrast—one voices human propaganda, the other God-inspired truth. Scriptures reinforcing the link: – Jeremiah 17:5–7: curse on those who trust man; blessing on those who trust the LORD. – 2 Kings 19:35–37: God’s overnight deliverance of Jerusalem proves Psalm 118:8 in real history. – Isaiah 31:1: “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help… but do not look to the Holy One of Israel.” – Hebrews 13:5–6: God’s promise of presence frees believers from fear of men. Living It Out • Evaluate voices: do they lure you with comfort while steering you away from obedience? • Anchor decisions in Scripture, not in majority opinion, cultural pressure, or apparent strength. • Practice daily surrender: prayerfully hand anxieties to God (Philippians 4:6–7). • Recall past deliverances—personal and biblical—to reinforce trust when new Assyrian-style offers arise. God’s track record stands: every human promise is uncertain; His covenant faithfulness never fails. |
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