Isaiah 37:8 - Meaning and Application

We can observe here, first, that when God gives us inward peace through his promise, it helps us bear insults quietly. God answered Hezekiah, but there is no sign that he sent Rabshakeh any reply after thinking it over. Instead, since God had taken the matter into his own hands, Hezekiah left it there. Rabshakeh then returned to his king for more instructions.

Second, those who love war will get more of it. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, went out to attack Judah without cause or warning, and now the king of Ethiopia goes out to attack him with the same lack of ceremony (Isaiah 37:9). People who are quick to start trouble should expect trouble in return. God sometimes slows the rage of his enemies by turning it in another direction.

Third, it is bad to speak proudly and irreverently, but it is even worse to write that way. Writing shows more thought and purpose, and what is written can spread farther, last longer, and do more harm. Atheism, the denial of God, and irreligion, a life without reverence for him, will one day be called to account if they are written down.

Fourth, great success often hardens sinners in their evil ways and makes them bolder. Because the kings of Assyria had destroyed many lands, they now thought they could destroy God’s land too. Since the gods of the nations could not save their worshipers, they assumed the God of Israel would fail as well. Because the idolatrous kings of Hamath and Arpad, two cities under judgment, had fallen easily, they thought Judah would be just as easy to defeat. In this way, prosperity was ripening this proud man for ruin.

Fifth, the Lord’s people have a priceless privilege at all times, especially in trouble and danger, the freedom to come before God and speak openly with him. Hezekiah took Sennacherib’s letter and spread it before the Lord, not to complain with empty words, but to lay before God what the king himself had written. He was saying, in effect, “Let the writing speak for itself, here it is in black and white. Open your eyes, O Lord, and see.” God allows his praying people to be freely honest with him, to put everything before him, and then leave the matter with him.

Sixth, the main truths of our faith, when held by faith and used in prayer, are powerful help in every kind of trouble. So Hezekiah reminded himself that the God of Israel is the Lord of hosts, meaning the ruler of all armies. He rules the armies of Israel to strengthen them, and the armies of their enemies to weaken and restrain them. He is God alone, with no rival, and he rules over all the kingdoms of the earth. Since he made heaven and earth, he can do anything, and he does everything according to his will.

Seventh, when we fear powerful destroyers, we may still humbly and boldly appeal to God as the great Savior. The nations that were destroyed had cut themselves off from the true God by worshiping false gods. But the Lord, the only true God, is our God, our King, and our lawgiver, and he will save us. He is the Savior of all who believe.

Eighth, we have enough ground for prayer if we can plead that God’s glory is tied to our case. His name will be dishonored if we are crushed, and honored if we are rescued. From that truth we should draw our strongest plea, “Do it for your glory’s sake.”