From Splendor to Shadow

The Taunts of the Enemy

The Assyrian representatives communicated direct with their king who was with his army guarding the approach from Egypt. Sennacherib wrote “letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver His people out of mine hand.” 2 Chronicles 32:17. SS 188.3

The boastful threat was accompanied by the message: “Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 2 Kings 19:10. SS 188.4

When the king of Judah received the taunting letter, he took it into the temple and “spread it before the Lord” and prayed with strong faith for help from heaven, that the nations of earth might know that the God of the Hebrews still lived and reigned. Verse 14. The honor of Jehovah was at stake; He alone could bring deliverance. SS 188.5

“O Lord God of Israel,” Hezekiah pleaded, “hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent [Rabshakeh] to reproach the living God. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods ... . Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech Thee, save Thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that Thou art the Lord God, even Thou only.” Verses 15-19. SS 189.1

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, ...
And come and save us.
Turn us again, O God,
And cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be
saved.
Psalm 80:1-3