Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"This day is a day of trouble"
Text: Isaiah 37:3
A MESSAGE TO ISAIAH
Hezekiah knew that the threat of the Assyrians was a very serious one. Judah, on its own could not hope to prevail against the enemies. He sent this message to Isaiah the prophet.
“And they said to him, ‘Thus says Hezekiah:
‘This day is a day of trouble and rebuke and blasphemy;
for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth.
It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh,
whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God,
and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard.
Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.””
Isaiah 37:3-4
1. The bearers of this message to Isaiah.
a) Eliakim and Shebna were mentioned.
i) Eliakim was the king’s household manager.
ii) Shebna was the leading scribe.
b) The elders of the priests.
i) These would be the very senior ones.
ii) Their presence would add weight to the significance of the matter that was being brought to Isaiah’s attention.
2. The Content of Hezekiah’s word to Isaiah.
a) The day described bluntly.
i) A day of trouble.
ii) A day of rebuke.
iii) A day of blasphemy.
b) A comparison made.
i) A pregnant mother about to give birth.
ii) But she did not have strength to deliver the baby.
iii) The lives of the mother and the baby are in danger.
3. The words of the Rabshakeh.
a) The words of the Rabshakeh were indeed blasphemous.
b) These words had:
i) Compared the LORD to idols; this was insulting to God.
ii) Despised and belittled the power of the LORD.
4. The Intercession of Isaiah was requested.
a) Hezekiah hoped that Isaiah would pray for the nation of Judah.
b) That the prophet would plead mightily on behalf of the righteous remnant.
c) That the LORD would respond and rebuke the Rabshakeh and the king of the Assyrians whom he represented.