Topical Bible: Blasphemy: Rabshakeh, in the Siege of Jerusalem

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Introduction

Blasphemy, the act of showing contempt or lack of reverence for God, is a grave sin in biblical theology. One of the most striking instances of blasphemy in the Old Testament is found during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, led by King Sennacherib's envoy, Rabshakeh. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37, where Rabshakeh's words and actions serve as a vivid example of blasphemy against the God of Israel.

Historical Context

The events surrounding Rabshakeh's blasphemy occur during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, a time when the Assyrian Empire was expanding its territory under King Sennacherib. After conquering the fortified cities of Judah, Sennacherib set his sights on Jerusalem. He sent Rabshakeh, a high-ranking military officer, to deliver a message to Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem.

Rabshakeh's Blasphemous Speech

Rabshakeh's speech is a classic example of blasphemy, as he openly mocks and challenges the power and sovereignty of the God of Israel. Standing at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, he addressed the officials of Hezekiah and the people gathered on the city wall. His words were intended to instill fear and doubt, undermining their faith in God.

Rabshakeh began by questioning Hezekiah's reliance on God, suggesting that the king's trust was misplaced. He claimed that the Lord had no power to deliver Jerusalem from the might of Assyria. In 2 Kings 18:29-30 , Rabshakeh declared, "Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he cannot deliver you from my hand. Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, 'The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.'"

Furthermore, Rabshakeh equated the God of Israel with the powerless gods of other nations that Assyria had already conquered. He boasted of Assyria's victories and implied that the God of Israel would be no different. In 2 Kings 18:33-35 , he taunted, "Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem?"

Theological Implications

Rabshakeh's blasphemy was not merely an insult to the people of Jerusalem but a direct affront to the character and power of God. By equating the Lord with the false gods of other nations, Rabshakeh denied the uniqueness and sovereignty of the God of Israel. His words were a challenge to God's ability to protect and deliver His people, striking at the heart of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Hezekiah's Response and Divine Intervention

In response to Rabshakeh's blasphemy, King Hezekiah sought the Lord in prayer, demonstrating his faith and dependence on God. Hezekiah's prayer, recorded in 2 Kings 19:15-19 , acknowledges God's sovereignty and pleads for deliverance, not only for the sake of Jerusalem but to uphold God's honor among the nations.

The Lord's response, delivered through the prophet Isaiah, affirmed His power and intention to defend Jerusalem. In 2 Kings 19:34 , God declared, "I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David." That very night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib's retreat and the deliverance of Jerusalem.

Conclusion

Rabshakeh's blasphemy during the siege of Jerusalem serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of blasphemy and the ultimate sovereignty of God. Despite the arrogance and threats of earthly powers, the God of Israel remains supreme, faithful to His promises, and able to deliver His people from any threat.

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2 Kings 18:22
But if you say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and Jerusalem, You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
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2 Kings 19:1
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
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Isaiah 36:15-20
Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
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Isaiah 37:10-33
Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not your God, in whom you trust, deceive you, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
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Library

Deliverance from Assyria
... undone that could be done in preparation for a siege. ... day of trouble, and of rebuke,
and blasphemy," was the ... God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... The ancient sanctuaries of Pteria and the treasures they contained excited their
cupidity, but they were not well enough equipped to undertake the siege of a ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm