Isaiah 36:15

Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying; The Lord will surely deliuer vs: this citie shall not be deliuered into the hand of the King of Assyria. Isaiah 36:15 (KJV)

This verse is part of a larger passage that recounts the historical events during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah when the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, invaded the land and threatened Jerusalem. The Assyrians had already captured many fortified cities in Judah and were now besieging Jerusalem. The Assyrian field commander, the Rabshakeh, came with a message for the people of Jerusalem, attempting to demoralize them and undermine their trust in God and their king.

In this particular verse the commander urges the people not to trust in Hezekiah’s leadership or in the LORD’s deliverance, saying, “Let them say, ‘We will trust in the LORD, that He will surely deliver us, and that this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.’” His intent is to persuade them that reliance on God and hope in divine rescue are futile. The Assyrian king had a history of conquering nations, and the commander believed that the God of Israel would not be able to protect Jerusalem.

It is important to note that this message is not aligned with the truth. Hezekiah was a righteous king who had restored the worship of the true God in Judah and who relied on the LORD for guidance and protection. The Assyrian taunts were a direct challenge to the faith of the people in God’s promises.

As the narrative continues, Hezekiah responds to the threat by seeking the LORD’s counsel through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah assures Hezekiah that God will defend Jerusalem and defeat the Assyrians. In the end God fulfills His promise: the Assyrian army is miraculously defeated outside the walls of Jerusalem, sparing the city from destruction.

This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God’s faithfulness and not being swayed by the doubts and threats of the world. Our enemies, whether physical or spiritual, may try to undermine our trust in God. We are called to be discerning, to cling to God’s promises, to seek His wisdom, and to rely on His strength, even in the face of challenging circumstances.