Day 191, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Isaiah 18–23, 28:14-29
Responding to Threats
We all face threats in our lives. We may be bullied, intimidated by our employers, threatened by creditors, or face financial ruin. As a country, we may even face the threats of war against us. How will we respond? Today, we will look at how many nations around Israel responded to menacing attacks from Assyria. Judah would later have a response of her own. At the end of today’s Bible study, we will have many take-away lessons on how we can respond to threats against us.
Israel’s fatal mistake
Assyria was a powerful nation and conquered many countries in the Middle East. When the northern kingdom of Israel relied on Assyria (instead of the LORD) to help fight against Damascus, it was a fatal mistake. Assyria not only conquered Damascus but also conquered her. Israel was besieged, ravaged, looted, and her cities were set on fire. Her residents were taken into exile and replaced with foreigners.
In today’s Bible reading, Assyria continues her conquest by pushing west and south to Tyre, Sidon, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Ashdod, Judah, Edom, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Then she plans to proceed east of the Jordan River to Moab, Babylon, and Media. How will these nations respond to these impending attacks?
Cush (Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan) seeks an alliance with Judah, but King Hezekiah thinks it unwise. Judah forms no union with them because Egypt relies on her wisdom and gods to save her nation, not the LORD. Therefore Egypt will not be saved. The Almighty God says through the prophet Isaiah, ‘I will hand the Egyptians over to the power of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them.” (Isaiah 19:4, NIV). In 671 BC, King Esarhaddon of Assyria conquers Egypt.
However, soon and in the future, the land of Assyria will be conquered. Then, in the millennium, Assyria, along with Egypt and other nations, will be at peace and bring gifts to Zion (Jerusalem). Here is a lesson we might learn: In dire circumstances, we should seek help from the LORD; the LORD brings victory and peace.
Judah is complacent
Babylon would rise against Assyria, but in 701 BC, it, too, would fall. Isaiah is horrified by the vision of Assyria putting down Babylon’s rebellion and continuing its march to conquer nations. He is even more horrified at Judah’s complacency. They should send spies to find out what is happening and make battle preparations, but they are unconcerned. Are we complacent when we see dangerous situations? Do we deny that they will affect us? Denial can result in disaster. Proverbs 22:3 and 27:2 (NIV) say, “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
Edom hears threats, but since nothing is happening at that moment, she assumes her life will continue as before. Because we are not facing an immediate threat today, does that mean nothing will happen tomorrow? That would be wishful thinking at best.
Arabia flees from the menace of Assyria, but she is not able to outrun her enemy. Within one year, Isaiah prophesies, she will be decimated. This prophecy must have been given in 716 BC because, in 715 BC, it would be fulfilled. Do we try to run from threats? Trouble may still catch up with us. We can run to the LORD for refuge and help.
Judah’s mistakes
In our last Bible study, we saw Hezekiah lead Judah in a great revival. In today’s Bible reading, Isaiah sees a vision of Jerusalem from the Kidron Valley (the “valley of vision” because it is where he received it). Sensing a threat from Assyria under the new king Sennacherib, King Hezekiah forms a league with Egypt and other nations. He prepares Jerusalem for a possible attack and siege by making a tunnel to bring in water. He also tears down houses and uses the materials to strengthen their walls.
While these may be good strategies, Hezekiah does not immediately look to the LORD for help, the one who makes it possible to shield their city from harm. Then Jerusalem acts with further shame in her hedonistic fatalism, enjoying the moment. “Let us eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” (Isaiah 22:13, NIV). One of the king’s stewards even tries to make a monument to himself before the invasion. He is replaced by Eliakim, a faithful steward.
Humbled by Pride
Tyre and Sidon’s trade with Phoenicia and Cyprus would soon come to an end. For seventy years, Assyria severely restricts their trade. Tyre and Sidon can no longer rely on their wealth and trading relations. The LORD planned the demise of these nations “to bring low the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth” (Isaiah 23:9, NIV).
Do we rely on stock markets, marketing, and wealth? Do we need to be humbled so we will seek not our glory and wealth but God’s? 1Samuel 2:7 (NIV) says, “The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.” Psalm 3:3 (NIV) says, “But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”
Take Away Lessons
- When we are threatened, we can depend on the LORD. It is the LORD who can shield us.
- In times of dire circumstances, we should not make alliances or deals. If we seek help from the LORD, the LORD brings peace, at least to our souls.
- We should not rely on our wisdom and resources to deal with threats. Let’s rely on God and his wisdom.
- It is not wise to be complacent when we see threats and deny they will affect us. Denial can result in disaster.
- We cannot run from every threat; trouble may still catch up with us. The LORD can be our refuge and help.
- When facing threats, we should not ignore them or live a hedonistic lifestyle, pretending nothing will happen to us. The LORD can be our salvation if we will look to him and are faithful (more).
- God knows all the destinies of the world, and they are under his control.
Resource: The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, pp. 1065–72.
Focus Verse
Psalm 3:3 (NIV) “But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”
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Looking Ahead: Living a life of faith is not easy; sometimes there are Growing Pains. See what this means in our Next Lesson
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