The Road to Jesus Leads to Trust
The verb “trust” is used 12 times by Isaiah. The verb “rely,” which is a synonym, is found ten times. The verb “wait,” also used as a synonym, is used by Isaiah 14 times.
Chapters 36-39 are in narrative form. The word “narrative” is simply the literary term for a “story.” That is, this section is not poetry or apocalyptic language that we have grown accustomed to with Isaiah. These four chapters are history, here in the middle of Isaiah’s preaching. All along the way, Isaiah has been directing the Jews to the coming Savior, His kingdom, and the peace that will come to those who walk by faith and not by sight.
In chapter 36, the king of Assyria, Sennacherib, is camped some 30 miles from Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. From there, he sends his personal advisor, or “Rabshakeh” (“chief cupbearer”) to King Hezekiah, compelling him to sign a treaty with Assyria.
Rabshakeh asks King Hezekiah through his delegation (Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah): “What is this confidence that you have” (vs 4)? While it is not always appropriate to translate the same Hebrew or Greek word the same every time, it is unfortunate that it is not done here, at least in the NASV. The word “confidence” in verse 4 is the same word for “rely” in verse 5. In fact, the word is used twice in the question in verse 4: “What is this trust in which you trust? Then in verse 5: “Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?” We see then, that trust is the central issue. Whom you do trust?
The point is this: You obey the one you trust. You develop a relationship with the one you trust. You cannot divorce obedience from trust. That’s why faith only is such an irrational doctrine. Baptism in water, for the New Testament, is an obedient act of trust.
The delegation from King Hezekiah was silent but brought the message back to King Hezekiah. Clearly, however, they were distraught for they came with their clothes torn.
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When you stand face-to-face with your “Rabshakeh,” whom are you going to trust? Whom are you going to obey?
In contrast with King Ahaz, King Hezekiah trusts in God. He does exactly what Isaiah has been preaching to his people to do for decades!
The first thing Hezekiah does is show remorse, penance. He tears his clothes and puts on sackcloth. Then he goes to worship! From the house of the Lord, the temple, Hezekiah calls for the preacher – Isaiah. In 37:4, Hezekiah asks for two things – that God will hear what Rabshakeh is saying and rebuke the Assyrian and that Isaiah will offer a prayer for deliverance of the “remnant” – those who were left who still trusted God. Even though Hezekiah was leading a restoration movement among God’s people, we should not get the idea that everyone was on board with what he was doing. I’m sure he did not have universal support.
King Hezekiah is a wonderful illustration in this text of “walking by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). That principle is not new to the New Testament. It has always been the principle on which man responds to God – trust and obedience.
When you face your Rabshakeh, who are you going to trust?
–Paul Holland
