Principal Persuasion
“Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, “The LORD will deliver us.” Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered its land from the hand of the king of Assyria?...But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”” Isaiah 36:18, 21 NKJV http://bible.com/114/isa.36.18,21.nkjv In moments of intense pressure and deep oppression, especially when the foundation of believers’ personal trust is challenged, the enemy’s voice and domination easily go unchallenged. Such was the situation of the people of Judah in the face of unprovoked challenge from king Sennacherib of the Assyria. And when the challenges of life appears to take away the believers’ useful engagement, the principal persuasion is determined by the response to those challenges. Although the popular response in times like this is fear, it can be noted that the statements of the Rabsaken are sincerely direct challenges to God, and not to king Hezekiah. A...