Exposition by Max A Forsythe
Chapters thirty-six through thirty-nine contain an historical transition which connects the first and second halves of the Isaiah scroll. The focus of these chapters is upon the life and times of King Hezekiah. He is best remembered for the great reform movement in the Israelite Religion. As part of this reformation, Hezekiah had suppressed the various hill shrines and altars around Judea. He even went so far as to destroy the Bronze Snake in the temple, which was a relic from the Exodus of Moses. This reformation was not without opposition. Some Judeans had been afraid of antagonizing the great King Sargon II of Assyria, under whose authority Hezekiah was allowed to rule. But there was also support, centered in the prophet Isaiah, who advocated reform in spite of any apparent obstacles. A third group wanted to go even further; they advocated depending upon Egypt for military support and independence from Assyria.
However, while Sargon II was alive, caution had to be exercised. But in 706 BC he died. His son, Sennacherib, was a much lesser man than the father. Was this the moment for revolutionary action? Both Babylon and Palestine revolted. Egypt was ready to march. Tyre, Philistia, Edom and Judah all became involved. Sennacherib's forces moved in 701 BC. Tyre was captured and its king fled to Cyprus. This success and others caused the revolution to collapse, and most members hastened to bring tribute to Assyria. A few members in the southern group, relying on Egyptian help, held out for a while longer.
But with the defeat of Egypt at the Battle of Eltekeh late in 701 BC, Sennacherib proceeded to punish all of the rebel states, including Judah. Forty-six cities of Judah were laid waste. Hezekiah was shut up like a bird in a cage and forced to accept humiliating terms, which emptied the royal treasury and temple of the wealth of centuries. Subsequent events are somewhat obscure, but it seems most probable that again in 688 BC another revolt took place. It is at this point that we pick up our lesson for today! From Lachish, the King of Assyria sent his field commander to demand the surrender of Jerusalem.
This Rebshekah, as we find his title in 2 Kings, rides up to the walls and speaks to the officials of Hezekiah's household. He is sarcastic in his references to the power of Egypt. With the only major power defeated, who can stand against the might of the Assyrian? Can Judah even count on their God, Rabshekah asks? This chief cupbearer is arrogant; he has the Suzerain's contempt for a lesser God. His is the attitude that the Assyrian gods are more powerful. He is also unimpressed with the military might of Israel and with good reason. The Judean Army at this time in history was mainly composed of lightly armed footmen. Thus, it was a poor match for the heavy cavalry and mounted archers of Assyria. Still, the cup-bearer is willing to make a wager or bargain with Hezekiah.
He will give Hezekiah 2,000 horses, but with a condition attached. How very generous of the Assyrian? If Israel has two thousand men who can even ride a horse, the Assyrian will give them horses for battle. And still, he will not be impressed with the capabilities of the Judean Army against even a small unit of Assyrians. Fortunately, Hezekiah does not have to strike the bargain. The Assyrians will move on to the Egyptian border. Centuries later, during the third Crusade, King Richard the Lion Hearted and others were fighting in the Holy Land. On one occasion, their horses were exhausted and incapable for the battle. Saludin the Turk noticed the poor condition of the Crusader horses and sent over fresh mounts for Richard and his company from his own personal stable. The English accepted the offer and rode out to do battle.
Hezekiah was not in the same situation. He did not take the offered horses because his men would not have done as well as the Crusaders were able to do. The reason was simple; Hezekiah's men were inexperienced. Very probably, most would have had trouble staying on top of the animals, let alone fight from that position. Hezekiah did not have to go to his men and ask them: "Who will ride?" Instead God put the Assyrians to flight. God provided the means to win the battle for Jerusalem. God was and is able to do all things, and in this particular case He provided victory in the face of defeat.
Now we should also note that these discussions between aggressor and representatives of the king took place within the hearing of the Jerusalem population. To the people's credit, they did not panic, they did not object to Hezekiah's program of resistance, they did not abandon their city. They even obeyed the king by keeping silent. They listened to Hezekiah whose heart belonged to the Lord, the God of Israel, and they supported him in the midst of this most severe crisis. Hezekiah had spent much time preparing for a defensive war so that he could leave field operations to the Lord's Almighty hand. Having listened well to Isaiah, he was able to sit back and wait for the Lord to take decisive action.
A thousand years later, a spiritual war of a different nature occurred during the Reformation. Martin Luther had a friend who was a monk. The monk agreed to stay in the monastery and uphold Luther in constant prayer while Luther went into the dust and heat of battle for the Reformation. One night, the friend had a dream. he saw a vast field of corn as big as the world. In that field was one solitary man who was trying to reap the crop. It was an impossible and heartbreaking task. Finally, the monk caught a glimpse of the reaper's face, and that reaper was his friend Luther. The man in the monastery left his prayers and went to work in the world with Luther and the other Reformers.
Since the time of Christ, millions of people have been reached. Yet millions remain. We are still asked to pray that workers be found for the harvest. God can and will provide, just as he provided for Luther and for Hezekiah. But, it is not in every age possible for God's people to expect someone else to mount the horses and ride for them. Time and time again, through the life of the Church, the question must be asked: Who will ride? Who will do the work of the Kingdom? Perhaps the greatest error of the Christian Church in all centuries is to conclude that it is only necessary to provide for ministers so that they can work the harvest fields. Just like the middle ages, where each village spent its fortune to arm and horse one magnificent knight, so today we expect that each church will maintain one minister of the Gospel! We must remember, the Assyrians in their challenge to Hezekiah did not propose horses only for the king and his leaders. No, they offered horses for the rank and file as well.
The same challenge is for our Churches today. All are asked to join in the battle for men's souls. Certainly, there are those who cannot do other than pray, for life has laid them helpless, but that is not the way for most Christians. Yes, we are willing to pray that workers be called, yet how willing are we that God would send us to do the work? I remember hearing about the work in Huntsville in the fifties. The UP Church was without a pastor. Instead of sitting and waiting until a man was called, the elders went out two by two and did the work of evangelism themselves. There was substantial growth; probably the greatest period of growth in the history of that particular congregation.
Today, the Church of Jesus Christ is more and more getting into a siege mentality. The worldly forces are on the attack. Church activity is being limited as much as laws will allow. And new Federal regulations may soon make it illegal to talk to your friends at work about the gospel. Shall we circle our wagons and stay in our sanctuary? In any circumstances, I think not; just as in the time of the Reformation, we need to be aggressive in spreading the Good News. There are countless lost to be harvested for God's Kingdom. The sick, the poor, the multitudes await. Who will ride? Will you?
Resources Used:
Barclay, William. The
Bible & History. (Theology excepted)
Ellis, Charles..
The Wells of Salvation.
Thomas, Derek..
Welwyn Commentary Series: God Delivers.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah.
The Holy Bible. New International Version (1984 Edition) NOTE: I am not able to automatically recommend any future editions.