05 August

Bible In 365 Days                

Isaiah 36-41

Isaiah 36

This chapter is the first of four which constitute a brief historical interlude. All have to do with Hezekiah and Isaiah. The first two are related to the prophecies of judgment so far as they are of local application. They deal with the invasion under Sennacherib. The last two are related to the prophecies of peace. They deal with Hezekiah's sickness and ultimate folly, and form the historic background to the great utterances which set forth the ultimate purpose of God.

In this first of the four, the story of Sennacherib's invasion and Rabshakeh's mission to the city is chronicled. He first met three representatives of Judah: Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah. He taunted them with their weakness, desiring to bully them into submission by telling them that it was useless for them to trust in Egypt; moreover, that it was useless for them to trust in God, because they were there by His commission, which, of course, was a daring and blasphemous lie. The deputation from Judah attempted to persuade him to speak in Aramaic, as they were afraid that the Jews, hearing such words in their own language, would be filled with panic. He immediately seized on the suggestion, and spoke to the people assembled on the wall in their own language, warning them against trusting in Hezekiah, promising them plenty in another land, and declaring to them that God was unable to deliver them. The loyalty of the people is manifest in the fact that they remained silent.

Isaiah 37

Penitently, went Hezekiah immediately into the house of the Lord, while he sent messengers to Isaiah. The prophet sent them back with words of encouragement, declaring that God would deliver them. In the meantime Rabshakeh returned to the king in Assyria, and a letter was dispatched to Hezekiah warning him against being deceived by God. This letter he spread before the Lord, and prayed to Him for deliverance. His prayer was characterized by a great simplicity. It was the simplicity of faith which recognized the throne of God, declared the immediate peril threatening the people, and asked for a deliverance which would vindicate the honor of the name of Jehovah. Isaiah's second and fuller message to Hezekiah's declared that the sin of Sennacherib was blasphemy against the Holy One of Israel, and forgetfulness of the fact that he, too, in all his enterprises was within the sphere of Jehovah's government and power. His judgment was imminent, and his boastings vain.

The chapter ends with an account of the destruction of the Assyrian army by the direct act of God, and the death of Sennacherib at the hands of his sons.

Isaiah 38

In this chapter we have the story of the sickness of Hezekiah. That sickness would seem to have been intimately connected with the invasion of Sennacherib, for in Isaiah's message to Hezekiah that his prayer was heard it was promised, "I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city."

The last verse of the chapter tells us that Hezekiah had asked a sign that he should go up to the house of the Lord, this in explanation of the account of the sign of the dial given in verses Isaiah 38:7-8. The going up to the house referred to is in all probability that described in chapter 37, when he went there penitently in the hour of Rabshakeh's taunting. All this would indicate that his sickness was due to some failure on his part. Turning to the Lord, he sought deliverance, and his life was lengthened by fifteen years. In the middle of the chapter we have the psalm of praise which Hezekiah wrote to celebrate his deliverance. It first describes the days of darkness in which he found himself in the noontide of life, approaching the gates of death. In the second part he breaks out in praise of God for deliverance, and throughout the whole of it there is evident his consciousness that the affliction itself had wrought good in his life. After the deliverance he consecrated himself anew to Jehovah, to His praise, and to His service.

Isaiah 39

This brief chapter tells the story of Hezekiah's folly. After his recovery an embassy came from Babylon ostensibly to congratulate him. That their real motive was sinister is evident from the attitude of Isaiah when he came to the king and rebuked him. Hezekiah, flattered by their coming, showed them all his treasures, and thus gave away secrets which should have been hidden from their eyes. The prophet rebuked him, and foretold that the very things which he had shown the visitors would one day be carried into Babylon, and that his issue would be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. All this was literally fulfilled. Hezekiah's answer to the prophet was submission and thankfulness as he recognized that for the remainder of his life at least there would be peace and truth.

Isaiah 40

We now commence the prophecies of peace, which also fall into three divisions, dealing in turn with the purpose of peace (40-48), the Prince of Peace (49-57), the program of peace (58-66).

The fist eleven verses of chapter forty constitute a prologue to the whole Book. This prologue opens with a declaration which indicates the burden of all that is to follow. "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people." It then describes the making of a highway for God along which He will move toward the ultimate accomplishment, and closes with a commission to announce the good tidings to Jerusalem that Jehovah will act as a mighty One, and yet with the tenderness of a Shepherd.

In the remainder of the chapter we have the prophet setting forth the majesty of Jehovah, which forms a fitting introduction to all that follows. This majesty is described essentially in its might, in its wisdom, and in the ease of its government of the nations. It is then described by comparison. The impossibility of making anything that will represent God is declared, and a graphic illustration is given in the case of the graven image or of the idol of wood. It is finally declared to be demonstrated in creation by actual government on earth, and in the heavens, and finally in its method of grace with Israel.

Isaiah 41

Having thus announced the majesty of Jehovah, the prophet proceeds to utter his general manifesto. This occupies chapters forty-one and forty-two. In chapter forty-one Jehovah challenges the island and the people to come near to judgment, that is, to consider what He has to say. He declares that He, and He alone has raised up the one from the East whose progress is victorious. The confederacy of the people against Cyrus is described, and then the prophet declares Jehovah's purpose of peace for Israel. Israel is the chosen and kept servant of God, upheld against foes, and the prophet predicts the ultimate restoration of the chosen people. Again he challenges the enemies to prove their power by prophetic utterance.

Finally Jehovah declares that it is He who alone can raise up the deliverer, or declare beforehand the fact of His coming. The whole movement of this chapter is a challenge preparatory to the presentation of the Servant of God. It is intended to show that apart from Jehovah the people cannot know the course of events, neither can they produce one strong enough to work deliverance. It opens with the command to keep silence in the presence of God, and closes with a declaration of the weakness and vanity of all that are opposed.