"Deception at the Door"; Isaiah 36-49
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
January 1, 2015
You may watch this Newsletter in a video HERE.
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
January 1, 2015 "Deception at the Door" Isaiah 36-49 Introduction: Our New Year's study brings us to a grouping of chapters that shows the King of Judah and Jerusalem being threatened by an army of Assyrians. Political pressure is clearly understood in these passages, as well as threatening castigations against the God of Israel. The use of Propaganda is tested by the enemy and results in anxious moments for the people of God. Seemingly, theirs is a hopeless scenario and they appear to have no "way out." With desperation looming inside the walls of Jerusalem, God summons the prophet with a message of hope and love. There are principles to be learned during this distraught period of Israel's history, lessons about how God deals with the nations and His people. (To Israel, He is the rescuer with deliverance "in His Hands.") 2015 will be a year when the tools of discernment will be used very frequently by the saints. Deception will continue to drop from the lips of liars, but the saints will know the truth. This will be a great year for deliverance from the façades that have been theatrically raised to intimidate and spread vitriolic propaganda. Like Hezekiah, deliverance comes through prayer in the house of God. Many will "re-find" their spiritual roots. Chapter 36 Official Deception: The use of Propaganda This entire chapter is mostly discourse between officials of Jerusalem and the invading army of Sennacherib. Isaiah 36:1-2 "The Rabshakeh" rises up like a demon, to reason and threaten the Jews, ordering them to capitulate and take "the easy way out." "The Rabshakeh" was the highest ranking diplomat in the Assyrian King's court-he was the cupbearer who tested all the food and drink going to the King's Table. As the scene unfolds, various scriptures will be referenced to show this "devil's advocate" at work. Like the devil in Jesus' temptation, he advises, "Just bow down and take the easy road." (No wonder Proverbs said not to "trust your own understanding.") l. "The Rabshakeh" positioned himself by the aqueduct; there is significance in his posturing. Often the enemies of God position themselves in places of power. (This aqueduct was built by Hezekiah as a resource for water in case of Assyrian invasion.) So, "The Rabshakeh's" position created a strong affront because one of the defense provisions, thought to sustain Jerusalem against siege, was compromised. 2. The king's emissaries, Eliakim, Shebna and Joah met with "the Rabshakeh," who used a propaganda technique when he said, "Tell Hezekiah what the Great King, the king of Assyria says." In other words, "Our Great King is greater and more powerful than your puny leader." (He doesn't refer to Hezekiah as King.) 3. "The Rabshakeh" continued his tactics. He claimed complete knowledge of Hezekiah's war plans. So, he tells the king, "Don't depend on your contract with Egypt. They can't deliver." Propaganda claims greater advantage than actually exists. Notice how he attacks each of the defense avenues including religious ones. He claims to have a spiritual mandate from the Lord to conquer them. "Also, don't plan on your God saving you," for your God is no better than the other gods we have conquered. Besides this, The LORD said to me, "Go up against this land, and destroy it." 4. "The Rabshakeh" presented "a deal" to the king. Just bow down now and he will give you a gift of 2,000 horses, "if you have enough men to ride them?" Intimidation through numbers is a form of propaganda. 5."The Rabshakeh" used the native language of Hebrew in making his threats. The emissaries requested him to speak in Aramaic, in order for the watchmen on the wall not to understand what was said. Arrogantly, he refused and declared his desire for all Jerusalem to know what was being said. The Assyrians planned to lay siege until all supplies were exhausted and they could easily have victory over an emaciated citizenry. To predict dire circumstances, if a matter is not settled as the aggressor determines, is a form of propaganda. (Politicians use this one all the time.) Isaiah 36:12 6. Verses 13-20 comprises an affront to the people of God and seeks to intimidate their faith. Each sentence begins with "The Great King" of Assyria and continues with "don't listen to Hezekiah." Isaiah 36:13-14 Persuasion is a form of propaganda along with the repetition of "untruth" as if it were truth. Notice below a listing of the use of this technique: 1. Isaiah 36:14'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you; 15 nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, "The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.' The three emissaries did not answer the questions. This took discipline, especially when he denigrated the Lord. Isaiah 36:21 Chapter 37 Seek out the prophet Hezekiah humbled himself, by tearing his garments and donning sackcloth before going straight to the house of God. He told his emissaries to go to Isaiah and have him seek the Lord. (Any national figure who does this will receive an answer from God. The problem is the world's leaders are acting more like the king of Assyria and The Rabshakeh than Hezekiah.) Isaiah 37:2-4 Notice: Hezekiah adds "the elders" to the group, with no mention of Joah. Wisdom seeks Revelation. Notice the King's appraisal of the day: "trouble, rebuke and blasphemy." (He is pretty well depressed.) Notice further: Hezekiah's confession of his "inability" in the passage, "there is no strength." Hezekiah then endowed Isaiah with the power of spiritual intervention, "(Perhaps) it may be the Lord your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh." Hezekiah wants Isaiah "to lift up prayer for the remnant that is left." The prayer of the prophet outweighed the words of the Blasphemer. Oh, it is time to hear the prophet's prayer! Isaiah was ready with a word from God. Isaiah 37:6-7 The first words out of the mouth of God were, "don't be afraid of the words which you have heard." Wow! Fear is never an answer. God said He would do two things to Sennacharib. l. He would send an evil spirit upon him and he will hear lies. Since these are blasphemous words against the God of heaven, Hezekiah does not answer. He goes to God's House and spreads the matter before the Lord. His prayer is a model for national leadership (worldwide) for every generation. (His example was followed strictly by the early founders of the U.S.) Isaiah 37:15-20 Observe the confessions in this prayer. He exalts the Lord and comes to His Throne. He invites the Lord to hear the words of threat and blasphemy. (Hezekiah is jealous for God.) He acknowledges the facts. He separates the half truths from the threats. These gods Assyria described are not gods. Hezekiah cries out "O LORD our God, save us." (The strength of the prophet has bolstered his faith. Strengthening the saints should be the work of modern prophets.) God's answer is prompt and supportive. Isaiah 37:21 Observe, as God scatters seeds of defeat over the land, the people and the king of the Assyrians.. God's Answer: His answer can be divided into three parts, (1) addressing the blasphemy of the Assyrians in the first third, and (2) then in the middle, He comforts His People. In the final third (3), He lays out the terms of His intervention to the Assyrians. There are no options! Before entering this passage too deeply, I wish to call attention to two references to "the daughter of Zion." Speculation runs rampant as to the interpretation of these two symbols. The Catholic Church, long ago, ascribed the reference, "the virgin, the daughter of Zion," to Mary and her elevated position. Others just make the terms a quick reference to the children of Israel residing in Jerusalem (References in Kings and Lamentations lend to their argument.) There is, however, one reference in the Song of Solomon to the palanquin of Solomon being lined with love by the Daughters of Zion. The number in the Song is plural. In this Isaiah passage, the number is singular. Who is this "virgin daughter of Zion?" I believe the first reference makes her the true child of God who has kept herself Holy and Righteous and who is vexed, like Lot, at the surrounding scene. She is a virgin, which implies she is not like the wife of Hosea. She is a virgin, therefore unstained by the world similar to the five wise virgins in the New Testament. She is not a group, she is solitary in scope. If she represents more than one, it is at least a small number. She is referenced again as "the daughter of Jerusalem," which could imply a grouping, but likely a small group of spiritually alive intercessors. Isaiah 37:22 Her response is laughter, based on what she knows about her lover, He will protect her from harm. She takes no alarm in the threats or the words of the enemy. She wags her head and probably in modern parlance, "sticks out her tongue," in defiance. The Lord summarizes "the Rabshakeh's" verbiage. God listened when he blasphemed the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 37:24 Then, the Lord enumerates the body of his reproach. l. You claimed your power was in the multitude of your chariots. Now, the Lord introduces Himself to "the Rabshakeh." In essence, God recounts His own accomplishments, beginning with verse 25. 1. I made all this earth. I made the forests of Lebanon. I formed all this. Then, the Lord tells "the Rabshakeh" what His plans for the Assyrians entail. Isaiah 37:29 The Lord then turns to Hezekiah and comforts him. It is as if the Lord stops talking about Sennacharib and addresses the people of God (verses 30-32). They will eat at their current level, then year by year their crops will return and they will prosper. The reference to their "roots" means they will not be leaving Israel. They will establish roots and they will flourish. Swiftly, the Lord turns back to the subject of the Assyrians. In this final portion of the chapter, "He lets the hammer down." Hezekiah is shown the "Plan of God." Nearly everything "The Rabshakeh" said would not happen is what the Lord plans to happen. God is ready to show the Assyrians who He is. Isaiah 37:33-35 God said, "I will defend this city." What a great defense it was, for in a few hours 185,000 lay dead outside the walls. The Angel of the Lord slew them (Note: one angel, one army). The enemy fled. Their leader was slain, and from that time forward, they faded into history as a "nobody" among the nations. Somehow, the People of God must return to dependency on Him and not government. They must return to prayer as the answer to the problems of world chaos. They must regain their confidence in Him to defend them. The church must be holy and virginal once again! It must become the virgin daughter of Zion! Chapter 38 Extended Life. I personally know what it is like for God to extend your life. Without going into detail, I attest a time of near death when He said, "Choose life." Hezekiah didn't want to die and asked God for more time. The Lord gave it. But, he saw his kingdom shatter about him. The Lord did three miracles for Hezekiah, other than his deliverance from Assyria. The Lord heard the fervent prayer of a righteous man. Indeed, Hezekiah was an upright saint. The "get your house in order" prophetic word was not the final order for his life. He knew God listened to the appeal of His saints. Hezekiah found favor with God-grace was extended him. Can God change His mind and direction? Yes! He, who said for us to "command mountains," can go beyond all that we ask or think. He changed time for His beloved. Do we know the extent of God's love for His own? I do not believe we have the beginning knowledge of what He can and will do for those who ask Him. He definitely is the "Re-warder of them that diligently seek Him." Isaiah 38:5 (This rhymes in English.) Out of the darkness of oppression, Hezekiah sang unto the Lord a new song. Yes, the king knew his condition and described it in the opening of this Psalm. He knew the desperation and despair that gripped his being. He acknowledged the tremor of his soul and his brokenness, but he did not abandon His faith. He cried to the Lord and the Lord heard. (What a wonderful message for today's gloomy terrain.) Notice Hezekiah's renewed hope (as his awareness of the answer from God found place in his spirit). Isaiah 38:15-20 Notice verse fifteen, where Hezekiah emphasizes that the Lord not only spoke and declared, but He also carried through and did what He said. O' let us not forget the faithfulness of the Lord. In this verse, the King admits his state of mind in saying "the bitterness of my soul." BUT, he didn't dwell there-he did not stay bitter and embrace despair. Notice verse sixteen, "You will restore me and make me live." David's "restore my soul" reverberated through the halls of his mind. Ahh! What the destroyer seeks to take away, God overrides and restores to His saints. Notice verse seventeen, 'You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.' When Jesus said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee, rise up and walk," He was expressing the right order for healing. Notice verse twenty, "The Lord was ready to save me." God is ready! This confidence in the omniscience of the Lord and how He stands in preparedness for those who attack His flock offers strength to His people. Daniel had a similar testimony, so did Job. Deliverance always has its song! In the case of Hezekiah, the last lines tell of a grateful heart pouring out the libation of HIS song. Solomon had a song. Moses' sister, Miriam, had a song. There is a swelling up on the inside when deliverance comes that lends itself to praise and worship. Commitment to service in the house of the Lord is the natural response to a heart filled with gratitude. (Personally, during my affliction, I chose Psalm 116 because it echoed my heart. Based on that Psalm, I determined the first time I could hobble down a church aisle I would give an over and above offering for missions-which was carried out with a strapped-on oxygen tank while pushing a walker. I am sure I looked like a wreck, but I was a living breathing one! Nothing felt better than the moment I could personally fulfill my vow.) Chapter 39: Foolish Ego It is amazing how short a distance there is between praise and surrender and foolish activities. Hezekiah received envoys from Babylon and was vulnerable to the flattery of a distant king. He guffawed over the conciliatory letter that arrived. He did not consult the Lord; he opened the treasury and gave them a grand tour of his whole house, never thinking he was making himself vulnerable and a target for attack. Isaiah confronted him and declared the day when all of it would be gone and Hezekiah's offspring would be conscripted as eunuchs and servants in Babylon (in 586 BC it happened). What was the King's response? In essence, he said, "Well, at least God spared me and it won't happen in my lifetime." No repentance, no running to the Temple, just a selfish retort came from a heart whose clock was set. What is the lesson gained from this? Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
Zadok Publications
P.O. Box 132874
The Woodlands, Texas 77393
(936) 230-3543
Email: zadokbookstore@zadokpublications.com
On The Web: ZadokPublications.com
Paperback volumes may still be ordered through our website.
To see the currently available books from Amazon, click on the cover images below.
In Spanish:
In German:
To see the currently available books from Barnes & Noble, click on the cover images below.
In Spanish:
In German:
Last modified: 02/04/2019