WE SHALL NOT DIE - Reading With the People of God #17Sample

Bearer of Bad News

In this chapter, Isaiah is in the role of historian, recording the events leading up to the fall of Judah by the Assyrians, and the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians. These dreadful defeats were in the final days of the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah and led to the devastating exile of the Jews in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar II. King Sennacherib of Assyria sent his chief of staff to discuss the terms of surrender with Hezekiah’s diplomats.

Hezekiah was not doing a terrific job as a wartime king, and made some grievous errors in judgement, such as trusting the frivolous Pharoah in Egypt to come to his aid in resisting the onslaught of Sennacherib. The Assyrian king’s chief of staff was very skillful and stark with the diplomatic messaging he gave to Hezekiah’s representatives Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah. From a commanding position controlling the water supply of Jerusalem, the Assyrian chief of staff lays out not only the weakness of Hezekiah’s preparations and security measures for the Temple; he brings an offer the Jews could not refuse: Exile in Babylon or die.

The Assyrian diplomat was careful to address the peace talks in Hebrew, so everyone on the walls of Jerusalem could hear and understand the consequences. Hezekiah’s diplomatic team had the unenviable task of delivering this ultimatum to their king. God’s providence was at work even now in the fall and exile of his chosen people in their shame and disobedience. The Babylonian exile is credited by some commentators as spreading the religion of God’s chosen people throughout the region, which became the precursor to the Christian churches in Mesopotamia.

Paul’s legal troubles with the Jewish leaders

Paul’s trials and travails in Acts 25 were not because an unbelieving people didn’t like his messages of the Way. Paul was under the greatest threat to his life and his apostolic ministry by the Jewish leaders in the local synagogues and in Jerusalem. The entire theocratic framework of the Nation of Israel was under threat of unraveling on their watch. Here, the Roman governor in Caesarea is being pressured to “do something” about Paul.

Paul demonstrates his Spirit-led steadfastness and brilliance in his witness before the court, so reminiscent of the mock trial our Lord Jesus had to endure before he was crucified. God’s plan to use Paul in a mighty way to bring the Gospel to the world was not to be thwarted in the halls of earthly power. Paul’s utter surrender of his own interests to the cause of Jesus Christ is emblematic for us to consider as we live our lives.

Primer contributed by Matt Harry, Older Elder Cornerstone Community Church