Context No. 3339 of 4322 · 2 Kings

2 Kings 18:26-37: in context

26Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, Shebnah, and Joah, said to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in the Syrian language, for we understand it. Don’t speak with us in the Jews’ language, in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.” 27But Rabshakeh said to them, “Has my master sent me to your master and to you, to speak these words? Hasn’t he sent me to the men who sit on the wall, to eat their own dung, and to drink their own urine with you?” 28Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spoke, saying, “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria. 29The king says, ‘Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of his hand. 30Don’t let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, “The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 31Don’t listen to Hezekiah.’ For the king of Assyria says, ‘Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and everyone of you eat from his own vine, and everyone from his own fig tree, and everyone drink water from his own cistern; 32until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and of honey, that you may live and not die. Don’t listen to Hezekiah when he persuades you, saying, “The LORD will deliver us.” 33Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34Where are the gods of Hamath and of Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 35Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’” 36But the people stayed quiet, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.” 37Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, came with Shebna the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and told him Rabshakeh’s words.

The Assyrian field commander launches a calculated assault, not on the walls but on the people's faith. Deliberately speaking in their own language so all on the wall can hear, he tells them Hezekiah is deceiving them, that no god of any nation ever saved a people from Assyria, so why would the LORD? He even paints a false picture of comfort if they will only surrender.

It is the voice of overwhelming force trying to erode trust in God with mockery and half-truths, especially the sneer, do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD. And notice the people's response: they held their peace and answered him not a word, for the king had commanded it. Sometimes the wise response to the taunts that assault our faith is not to argue but to stay silent, and to carry the matter, as Hezekiah soon will, straight to God. Not every mockery deserves an answer; some are better carried to the LORD than debated with the mocker.

When my faith is assaulted by mockery and half-truths, do I know when to stay silent and bring the matter to God rather than being drawn into argument?

Sources

2 Kings 18:30: "Don't let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us."
2 Kings 18:32: "Don't listen to Hezekiah when he persuades you, saying, The LORD will deliver us."
2 Kings 18:36: "But the people stayed quiet, and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, Don't answer him."