Rabshakeh Presents His Case

Sennacherib dispatches Rabshakeh (a military title, not a personal name) along with two other dignitaries to Jerusalem to demand he city's surrender.  (2 Kings 18:17) These are met outside the city wall by three of Hezekiah's representatives, Eliakim, the overseer of Hezekiah's household, Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. -Isaiah 36:2, 3.

Rabshakeh's aim is simple-convince Jerusalem to surrender without a fight.  Speaking in Hebrew, he first cries out:  "What is this confidence in which you have trusted? . . .In whom have you put trust, that you have rebelled against me?"  (Isaiah 36:4, 5) Then Rabshakeh taunts the frightened Jews, reminding them that they are completely isolated.  To whom can they turn for support?  To that "crushed reed," Egypt?  (Isaiah 36:6) At this time, Egypt does resemble a crushed reed; in fact, that former world power has been temporarily conquered  by Ethiopia, and Egypt's  present Pharaoh, King Tirhakah, is not an Egyptian but an Ethiopian.  And he is about to be defeated by Assyria.  (2 Kings 19:8, 9) Since Egypt cannot save itself, it will be of little help to Judah.

Rabshakeh now argues that Jehovah will not fight for  His people because he is displeased with them.  Rabshakeh says: "In case  you should say to me, 'It is Jehovah our God in whom we have trusted,' is he not the one whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has removed?" (Isaiah 36:7) Of course, far from rejecting  Jehovah by tearing down the high places and the altars in the land, the Jews have actually returned to Jehovah. 

Next Rabshakeh reminds the Jews that militarily  they are hopelessly outclassed.  He issues this arrogant challenge:  " Let me give you two thousand horses to see whether you are able, on your part, to put riders upon them." (Isaiah 36:8)  In reality, though,  does it matter whether Judah's trained cavalry are  many or few? No, for Judah's salvation does not depend upon military strength.   Proverbs 21:31 explains matters this way:  "The horse is something prepared for the day of battle, but salvation  belongs to Jehovah."  Then Rabshakeh claims  that Jehovah's  blessing is with the Assyrians, not the Jews.  Otherwise, he argues the Assyrians could never have penetrated so far into Judah's territory. -Isaiah 36:9, 10.

Next time: Conclusion of Rabshakeh Presents His Case

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000