Isaiah - Chapter 36

Isaiah 36.1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them. Isaiah 36.2 And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field. Isaiah 36.3 Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah’s son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph’s son, the recorder. Isaiah 36.4 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? Isaiah 36.5 I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? Isaiah 36.6 Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him. Isaiah 36.7 But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar? Isaiah 36.8 Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. Isaiah 36.9 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? Isaiah 36.10 And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. Isaiah 36.11 Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall. Isaiah 36.12 But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you? Isaiah 36.13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. Isaiah 36.14 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you. Isaiah 36.15 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. Isaiah 36.16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern; Isaiah 36.17 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards. Isaiah 36.18 Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, the LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Isaiah 36.19 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Isaiah 36.20 Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? Isaiah 36.21 But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not. Isaiah 36.22 Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

Isaiah : Chapter 36

The Confrontation of Faith and Intimidation: A Reflection on Isaiah 36

Chapter 36 of the book of Isaiah plunges us into the heart of a time of great turmoil for the people of Judah. ​​This historical account highlights the Assyrian threat to Jerusalem and examines how the faith of this people is tested in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The Assyrian Threat and Intimidation Tactics

Through the arrival of the Assyrian army, we discover the maneuvers of Rabshakeh, an emissary who seeks to sow fear and confusion among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. His speech is imbued with propaganda, aimed at shaking Judah's trust in their God. This passage makes us reflect on the conflict between human trust and divine faith.

Spiritual Warfare and Faithfulness in Times of Crisis

Isaiah 36 addresses profound themes such as spiritual warfare and the importance of remaining faithful in times of crisis. Through these trials, believers are called to remember God's power and trust in His providence.

Bible Passages Correlated to Isaiah 36

To deepen our understanding of this crucial chapter, we will study five biblical passages that resonate with the dramatic events of Isaiah 36:

As we study these verses, we are called to strengthen our faith and remember that, in times of uncertainty, our trust in God is our greatest asset.