July 20, Reading 2 – Isaiah 36:1-37:7

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Earthly tyrants have always thought they could and should destroy the Faith. Sennacherib threatens to devastate Zion. Isaiah strengthens Hezekiah with the promise that God will deal with Sennacherib. He did!

SJA Notes

* Dear Lord God, Your word is truth. Please teach us today from Your word.

“The LORD said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.'”

Today’s passage is a dramatic shift, moving to a sliver of history.

We hear the Rabshakeh (a high-ranking army officer, probably the right-hand of the king of Assyria), he speaks to Israel both truth and lies.

TRUTH – Don’t put your trust in man (Egypt).

LIES – Don’t put your trust in the Lord.

God has told Israel clearly – Don’t trust in man, do not think that Egypt/Pharoah will save you!

And that is part of the message that the Rabshakeh brings.

We know from Isaiah’s recordings so far that God has put Assyria into motion, the merciless army.

But Assyria makes the same mistake Israel did. They trusted in human strength instead of God’s power.

“Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me.”

This is the folly of man, we trust in ourselves!

We need the truth, that God is the only one who is worthy of our trust. He is the only one who can protect us. It is only in the shadow and shelter of His wings that we can find refuge.

* Gracious Lord,

Thank You that You did cause Israel’s enemies to fail, empires that are now dust.

Thank You that in Jesus we have an ever-living Saviour!

Thank You that we can find shelter in You, proper rest and the strong and steady assurance of salvation. In the shadow of Your wings, in the strength of Your hands.

Amen.

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