Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Kings+018
2 Kings Chapter 18 (ESV)
28 Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! 29 Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. 30 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ 31 Do not listen to Hezekiah, for thus says the king of Assyria: ‘Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, 32 until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, that you may live, and not die. And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.” 33 Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 35 Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’”
36 But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.”
REFLECTION:
- If time allows, read through the whole chapter about Hezekiah’s reign.
- The Assyrian call for surrender emphasized Judah’s weakness, promised to resettle Judah’s population in an even more fertile land, and ridiculed God’s ability to save his people. It was true that Judah and Jerusalem were now weakened and vulnerable. But the Assyrian officer mimicked God in offering life for obedience, death for disobedience. Once again, the king of Assyria posed as God to make promises just like God to entice people to trust him for their security and prosperity.
- We are often tempted to think that another person – spouse, friend, parent, pastor – can fulfill our needs. This expectation can only lead to disappointment.
- Who in my life I am placing unfair expectations on? During this week, instead, seek to fulfill a need of hers/his.
PRAYER:
Ask for God’s forgiveness for not trusting Him enough but to depend on others. Also pray for these people that I’ll learn to discern and meet their needs.
