NOTES for Isa 36:1-22

Once again before us is a historical narrative that helps us see the events against whose background Isaiah's prophetic word sounded. And here we see that the Lord allowed Isaiah to perceive not only the essence of distant upheavals, but also the meaning of current events.

Rabshakeh's words could hardly have been news to some of the besieged. Rabshakeh says precisely what many of them either thought or subconsciously allowed, hoping more in the power of weapons than in the Lord. And now the enemy commander, in effect, declares exactly this: he boasts of the might of his army and denies that the Lord can save His people. Well, Rabshakeh's self-satisfaction is entirely understandable; he had gained the chance to take pride in military power after many Assyrian victories. He only failed to take into account that one cannot go against the Lord with impunity.

By the king's order no one answers him. The defenders of the city do not waste themselves on quarrels; with difficulty, but also with dignity, they remain calm. It is that very calm in which, according to the word of prophecy, their strength lies.