Isaiah 36:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Isaiah 36:15
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.
Chapter Context
Isaiah 36 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, salvation, holiness. Written during the Assyrian and pre-exilic periods (c. 740-680 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed Judah during Assyria's rise, Babylon's threat, and anticipated restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-22: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Isaiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Isaiah 36:15
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.
Analysis
The Rabshakeh's command not to let Hezekiah 'make you trust in the LORD' reveals the ultimate goal of all worldly philosophy - preventing faith in God. This verbal form emphasizes the ongoing nature of trust that must be actively maintained. The promise that Jerusalem would not be delivered into Assyria's hand becomes a test case for divine faithfulness versus human calculation.
Historical Context
Sennacherib's army had just destroyed Lachish, Judah's second-largest city, providing visible 'proof' that trusting God was futile. Archaeological evidence from Lachish confirms the brutal efficiency of Assyrian warfare.
Reflection
- What voices in your life actively discourage trusting God's promises?
- How do you maintain faith when circumstances seem to contradict God's Word?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord