But if you say to me, 'We trust in the LORD our God,' is He not the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, 'You must worship before this altar'? But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’The Rabshakeh sought to weaken Jerusalem by portraying trust in the LORD as futile before Assyria’s overwhelming power. Sennacherib’s armies had already devastated much of Judah, making the threat appear credible from a human standpoint. Yet Judah’s security did not rest in military strength, alliances, or fortified walls, but in the covenant God who had promised to preserve David’s line and His dwelling in Jerusalem. Faith in the LORD would be tested when every visible circumstance urged surrender. 2Ki 18:5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel.… is He not the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, Hezekiah had removed the unauthorized shrines, idolatrous objects, and local altars throughout Judah as part of a return to covenant obedience (2 Kings 18:4). The Assyrian commander assumed that the LORD could be served like the gods of the nations, who supposedly gained honor through many shrines. He did not understand that the high places had corrupted worship through compromise with pagan practices. Hezekiah had not diminished devotion to the LORD; he had called Judah away from false worship and back to the God’s appointed order. 2Ki 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars… saying to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before this altar’? The altar in the temple at Jerusalem stood at the place God had chosen for sacrifices under the Mosaic covenant (Deuteronomy 12:5–14). Centralized worship preserved the unity of the nation and guarded the purity of worship, directing Judah to approach God on His terms rather than according to human preference. The Rabshakeh treated obedience as an offense against God, but Hezekiah’s reforms had strengthened Judah’s true foundation. God would soon show that faithfulness to Him was not weakness, even against the might of Assyria. 2Ki 18:22 But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’… Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe King of Judah who initiated religious reforms, including the removal of high places and altars to centralize worship in Jerusalem. 2. Rabshakeh The Assyrian field commander who delivered a message from King Sennacherib of Assyria, challenging the faith of the people of Judah in their God. 3. Judah and Jerusalem The southern kingdom and its capital, where Hezekiah reigned and sought to restore proper worship. 4. Assyria The dominant empire at the time, threatening Judah with invasion and attempting to undermine their trust in God. 5. High Places and Altars Sites of worship that were often used for idolatrous practices, which Hezekiah removed to purify the worship of Yahweh. Teaching Points Trust in God AloneHezekiah's reforms remind us that true worship and trust must be directed solely to God, not diluted by idolatrous practices. Centralized Worship The removal of high places underscores the importance of worshiping God as He prescribes, emphasizing obedience to His commands. Facing Challenges with Faith Like Hezekiah, believers today are called to stand firm in their faith, even when external voices challenge their trust in God. The Power of Prayer Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat through prayer demonstrates the importance of seeking God's guidance and intervention in times of crisis. God's Sovereignty Despite the Assyrian threat, the account reassures us of God's ultimate control and His ability to deliver His people. Bible Study Questions 1. How did Hezekiah's removal of high places reflect his commitment to God, and what can we learn from this about prioritizing our worship practices?2. In what ways do external challenges today attempt to undermine our trust in God, similar to Rabshakeh's message to Judah? 3. How can Hezekiah's reliance on prayer during a crisis inspire us to approach our own challenges? 4. What are some modern "high places" or distractions that might divert our worship from God, and how can we address them? 5. How does the account of Hezekiah and the Assyrian threat encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty and deliverance in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 18:4-5Provides background on Hezekiah's reforms, emphasizing his trust in the LORD and his actions to remove idolatry. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 Highlights Hezekiah's encouragement to the people to trust in the LORD despite the Assyrian threat. Exodus 20:3-5 Relates to the commandment against idolatry, which Hezekiah sought to uphold by removing the high places. Psalm 20:7 Contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the name of the LORD, relevant to the challenge posed by Rabshakeh. Isaiah 37:14-20 Shows Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat, turning to God in prayer and reaffirming his trust.
People Asaph, Eliakim, Hezekiah, Hilkiah, Isaiah, Joah, Pharaoh, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, ShebnaPlaces Arpad, Assyria, Egypt, Hamath, Jerusalem, Lachish, Samaria, Sepharvaim, Washer's FieldTopics Altar, Altars, Aside, Bow, Depending, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Hope, Isn't, Jerusalem, Judah, Places, Rely, Removed, Saying, Trust, Trusted, Worship, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 36:7Library A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. [In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it … John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee. Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. ) The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Isaiah Links Isaiah 36:7 NIVIsaiah 36:7 NLT Isaiah 36:7 ESV Isaiah 36:7 NASB Isaiah 36:7 KJV Isaiah 36:7 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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