What is the meaning of Isaiah 36:18? Do not let Hezekiah mislead you Isaiah 36 places us on the wall of Jerusalem, listening to the Assyrian field commander (often called the Rabshakeh) shouting to the besieged citizens. His opening line is a warning against their own king. It is a classic tactic of the enemy—undermine the leader who is pointing people to trust God. 2 Chronicles 32:10-12 shows the same speech, underscoring how seriously the Assyrians took psychological warfare. Jesus later cautions, “See that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4), reminding us that voices challenging our faith are not confined to ancient walls. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:11 about standing against the devil’s schemes, echoing the need to recognize deception and hold the line. Bullet points for today’s walk: • Expect challenges to spiritual leadership that calls for faith. • Test every message against God’s word, not against the intimidation of circumstance. when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ The Rabshakeh ridicules Hezekiah’s confidence in the covenant-keeping God. Yet Hezekiah’s assurance came straight from promises like Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” and from prophetic words already spoken by Isaiah (Isaiah 37:6-7). Deliverance was not wishful thinking but rooted in God’s unchanging character (Exodus 14:13; 2 Kings 19:6-7). The taunt therefore attacks the very heart of biblical faith: trusting God to act in real history. Key takeaways: • Faith rests on revealed truth, not on visible odds. • God’s past acts of rescue (Psalm 34:17) fuel present confidence. Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land Now the field commander broadens his argument: no other nation’s deity has halted Assyria, so why think Judah’s God will? This lumps the LORD in with idols of wood and stone (Isaiah 44:9-20). Yet Scripture insists, “The LORD is the true God; He is the living God” (Jeremiah 10:10-11). The challenge unintentionally spotlights the uniqueness of Israel’s God—He alone is Creator, not created. Points to remember: • False gods are powerless; the living God acts (1 Samuel 5:1-5). • The world’s track record with idols cannot measure God’s capability. from the hand of the king of Assyria? Assyria’s empire seemed unstoppable; cities from Hamath to Samaria had fallen (2 Kings 18:33-35). The rhetorical question carries an unspoken boast: “Our king is invincible.” Yet Isaiah had already prophesied Assyria’s downfall once its purpose as God’s instrument was complete (Isaiah 10:12-19). Within a short time God would send His angel, and 185,000 Assyrian soldiers would lie dead (Isaiah 37:36-38). Psalm 2:1-4 declares God laughs at arrogant rulers; Daniel 4:35 affirms He does as He pleases with the armies of heaven and the peoples of earth. Encouragement for us: • Earthly power, however intimidating, is subject to God’s sovereign limit. • God’s deliverance may come at the eleventh hour, but it is never late. summary Isaiah 36:18 records the enemy’s attempt to erode faith by mocking Hezekiah’s trust in God, equating the LORD with impotent idols, and exalting Assyria’s might. The verse reminds us that deception often appears logical when it measures God by human standards. Yet the living God stands incomparable, faithful to His word, and sovereign over every empire. When circumstances taunt, “Has anyone ever been rescued from this?”, Scripture answers, “The LORD rescues His people” (Psalm 34:17). He did it for Jerusalem; He still does it today for all who rely on Him. |
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