Isaiah 36:1 - Meaning and Application

We can draw several practical lessons from this passage.

First, a people may be doing what is right and still face trouble and distress. Hezekiah was leading reform, and the people had been changed in some measure, yet their land was invaded and much of it was laid waste. Perhaps they had begun to grow careless in the work of reform, doing only part of it and stopping short of a full change. In that case, God used this judgment to wake them up and strengthen that good work. We should not be surprised if God sends trouble while we are doing well, to push us on to do better, do our best, and keep moving toward maturity.

Second, we must never feel too safe about our peace in this world. We should never think our mountain is so firm that it cannot be shaken. Hezekiah was not only a godly king, but also a wise one, both in his rule at home and in his dealings abroad. His affairs were in good order, and he seemed to be on good terms with the king of Assyria, since he had recently made peace with him by giving a rich gift (Kg2 18:14). Yet that untrustworthy king suddenly sent an army into his land and laid it waste. It is wise to expect trouble at any time, so that when it comes it does not take us by surprise and feel even more frightening.

Third, God sometimes allows the enemies of his people, even the most wicked and treacherous ones, to gain great power over them. The king of Assyria took all, or nearly all, of Judah’s fortified cities, and then the rest of the country would naturally be easy prey. Wickedness may succeed for a while, but it cannot succeed forever.

Fourth, proud people love to speak loudly and boast about what they are, what they have, what they have done, and what they plan to do. They do this to insult others and challenge everyone, yet they only make themselves foolish in the eyes of wise people and liable to the anger of God, who opposes the proud. They hope to make themselves feared, but they often make themselves hated. They try to force their way by “great swelling words” full of empty boastfulness (Jde 1:16).

Fifth, the enemies of God’s people often try to win by fear, especially by shaking their trust in God. Rabshakeh, the Assyrian spokesman, used noise and mockery to make Hezekiah seem powerless against his master. For that reason, if we want to stand firm against the enemies of our souls, we must keep our courage strong by keeping our hope in God strong.

Sixth, it is generally admitted that those who abandon God’s service lose his protection. If Rabshakeh had been right that Hezekiah had torn down God’s altars, then he could fairly argue that Hezekiah had no reason to expect help from God, Isa 36:7. We can say the same to careless sinners who still claim to trust in the Lord and in his mercy. How can they expect favor from him, when they have lived in contempt of his commands, dishonored his name, and neglected his ordinances?

Seventh, it is easy, and very common, for people who persecute God’s church and people to claim that they are acting for him. Rabshakeh could say, “Have I come up without the Lord?” when in fact he had come up against the Lord (Isa 37:28). Those who kill the Lord’s servants think they are doing him service and even say, “Let the Lord be glorified.” But sooner or later they will learn their mistake, and it will bring them shame and sorrow.