What does "rely on" in 2 Kings 18:19 reveal about faith's importance? Setting the Scene • Judah is cornered. Assyria, the super-power of the day, has swept through the land and now surrounds Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:13). • King Hezekiah has torn down idolatry and called the nation back to wholehearted devotion to the LORD (18:3-6). • The Assyrian field commander (the Rabshakeh) mocks Hezekiah, shouting to the Judean delegation: “This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: ‘What is this confidence in which you trust?’” (2 Kings 18:19). The Key Word: “Rely On” • The Hebrew verb is batach—to lean on, feel secure in, trust, rely upon. • It’s not a casual optimism; it pictures a person shifting full weight onto something solid. • The Rabshakeh’s sneer is really a theological challenge: “Who—or what—holds your full weight when life is on the line?” What “Rely On” Reveals About Faith 1. Faith is exclusive. • Leaning on Egypt or military muscle is condemned (18:21). • Faith’s rightful object is God alone (see Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 31:1). 2. Faith is visible under pressure. • Hezekiah’s reforms showcased internal trust, but the siege exposes whether that trust is genuine (James 1:2-4). 3. Faith stakes everything on God’s character, not probabilities. • From a human standpoint, Assyria’s victory looks certain. • Faith makes decisions based on who God is (Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 33:22) rather than on statistics. 4. Faith invites ridicule from a hostile world. • The Rabshakeh labels trust in God “empty words” (18:20). • New-covenant believers face similar scorn (1 Corinthians 1:18). 5. Faith is vindicated by God. • The angel of the LORD strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). • God keeps every promise (Joshua 21:45; Hebrews 10:23). Supporting Passages • Proverbs 3:5—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” • Isaiah 26:3-4—Perfect peace belongs to the one “whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” • 2 Chronicles 32:7-8—Hezekiah’s rallying cry in the parallel account, “With us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” • Psalm 56:3-4—“When I am afraid, I will trust in You … in God I trust; I will not be afraid.” Practical Takeaways • Identify competing crutches. Anything that draws confidence away from God—bank accounts, diplomacy, personal talent—must be surrendered. • Expect spiritual opposition. A mocking culture often sees reliance on God as foolish; don’t let scorn weaken resolve. • Anchor faith in Scripture. Hezekiah’s courage flowed from knowing the covenant promises (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). • Remember past deliverances. God’s faithfulness in history fuels present confidence (Psalm 77:11-12). • Shift your weight daily. Faith isn’t static; it’s repeatedly choosing to lean on God in every decision, crisis, and opportunity. The Rabshakeh’s taunt inadvertently spotlights faith’s core: where you place your full weight determines your destiny. Rely on the LORD, and He will not fail you. |
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