Why did the people remain silent as instructed in Isaiah 36:21? Scripture Snapshot “But the people remained silent and did not answer him a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, ‘Do not answer him.’ ” (Isaiah 36:21) Immediate Scene • Assyria’s field commander (Rabshakeh) stands at Jerusalem’s wall, hurling boasts and blasphemies (Isaiah 36:13-20). • King Hezekiah has instructed every listener on the wall to keep quiet. • The taunts target both the king’s leadership and the Lord’s power. Why the Silence? • Obedience to God-given authority – Hezekiah’s command carried weight (Romans 13:1). – Submission demonstrated unity and order in a crisis. • Refusal to legitimize blasphemy – Answering would dignify the arrogant claims (cf. Proverbs 26:4). – Silence let the insults fall void, exposing their emptiness. • Protection from propaganda – Rabshakeh spoke in Hebrew to sway morale (Isaiah 36:11-12). – No reply meant no platform for doubt or panic to spread. • Trust that God—not eloquence—would defend – Echoes Exodus 14:14: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Their quiet confidence anticipated Isaiah 37:35, where God promises, “I will defend this city.” • Model set by covenant leaders – Hezekiah’s earlier words: “Be strong and courageous…with us is the LORD our God” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8). – Silence became an act of faith aligning with those words. Underlying Spiritual Principles • Sometimes restraint testifies louder than rebuttal. • Human arguments cannot outshine divine intervention (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). • Obedience in small instructions positions God’s people for larger deliverance (Isaiah 37:36). Takeaways for Believers • Honor righteous leadership; God often works through their directives. • Silence before scoffers can guard hearts and magnify God’s vindication. • Confidence in Scripture’s promises frees us from striving to defend God—He is well able to defend Himself. |
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