Opportunity Without Ability (2 Kin. 19:1-4)

• The opportunity is exciting.  Birth!  Life!  Newness!
• Opportunity requires ability.  Strength to deliver.  The greatest moment of weakness comes just before the breakthrough.
• When you lack strength, seek the Lord (cf. Isa. 40:31).  Adopt a posture of humility and dependence.
• The breakthrough comes from the Lord, but it is implemented by the remnant.  Pray for the remnant.  The remnant must not get distracted by secondary interests.

Shaken But Not Taken (Isa. 36:1-22) (Part 4)

This is the last post in the series.
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Conclusion:

• Don't you hear the Rabshekah?  "Your ally is worthless, your God is powerless, your leader is clueless and your military is helpless. Your best option is to surrender to Sennacherib."
  
• Right now there's a part of you that screams at Hezekiah's delegation, “Don't do it! It isn't worth it! You're getting taken for a ride!”
• Some of God's people today are being taken for a ride!  You're going through a tough time. The comfort offered by your friends is sincere but shallow. You asked God to intervene, but so far He hasn't (at least not the way you want). You're starting to wonder if He's as powerful as He said. Has he forgotten you?   
• You have only a little fight left in you. You've thought to yourself, “Perhaps I should do things the world's way.” (You would never say it aloud, but you've thought it.)  Don't do it! It isn't worth it! You'll be taken for a ride! 
• Ask yourself the same questions Rabshekah asked Hezekiah's delegation. “What is this confidence you have?” “Now on whom do you rely?”
  
• You are relying on someone or something. You will continue to do so.
  
• Are you confident in God? Do you rely upon Him? Is He trustworthy? I hope your answer is yes, yes and yes.

Shaken But Not Taken (Isa. 36:1-22) (Part 3)

If you missed part 1 or part 2, you might want to read them now.  The background will be helpful.
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2. The secondary intent of the Rabshekah's speech was to UNDERMINE THE PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE IN HEZEKIAH (Isa. 36:11-20).

• In verse 11, Hezekiah's delegation asked a reasonable question.
• They asked that, since this was a diplomatic interaction, an appropriate diplomatic language be used.
• Why should the common people be privy to a political conversation?
• In verse 12, the Rabshekah gave an unreasonable answer.
• He said "no" in an offensive, demeaning way.
• In verses 13-20, the Rabshekah gave a demeaning speech.
  • vv. 13-14 > “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you...” (NIV)
    
  • v. 15 > “Do not let Hezekiah persuade you...” (NIV)
    
  • vv. 16-17 > “Do not listen to Hezekiah...” (NIV)
    
  • vv. 18-20 > “Do not let Hezekiah mislead you...” (NIV)  

Do you notice a common thread between the last post and this one?  The Rabshekah's intent was to undermine people's confidence so they wouldn't submit to authority.  He encouraged rebellion against God-ordained authority and presented bondage as a better alternative.

Shaken But Not Taken (Isa. 36:1-22) (Part 2)

Yesterday's post contained the background material and introduction.  You can read the post here.  Today's post will reveal four tactics commonly used against you.  Their intent is to undermine your confidence in God. 
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Transition: Our starting point is to understand the intent behind Rabshekah's speech.

1. The primary intent of the Rabshekah's speech was to UNDERMINE THE PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE IN GOD (Isa. 36:4-10).

• In verses 4-5, the Rabshekah asked two questions.
  • Question #1 > “What is this confidence that you have?” (v. 4).
    
  • Question #2 > “Now on whom do you rely...?” (v. 5)
    
  • Tactic #1 > Interrogation. Ask strategic questions and people's minds will consider options they previously hadn't.
  • What questions have you been entertaining?
  • What are your answers to the two questions above?
• In verses 6-10, the Rabshekah gave three answers.
• Answer #1 > You shouldn't rely upon Egypt.
  • Tactic #2 > Isolation. “Don't ask for help. Do it alone.”
  • In context, this was true.  God was clear Israel should look to Him alone. 
  • For our purpose, it isn't that God isn't enough.  One of the ways He works is through His people. 
  • Stay away from "Egypt" (the world) but don't isolate yourself from people.  When the bottom falls out, who will be there to help you?
• Answer #2 > You shouldn't rely upon God.
  • Tactic #3 > Insurrection. Can't you hear it?  “God can't help you. God won't help you. God's mad at you. Come out from underneath His authority.”
• Answer #3 > You shouldn't rely upon the military.
• Translation:  “You are inferior, overwhelmed, caught and helpless."  
• Tactic #4 > Intimidation. 

Shaken But Not Taken (Isa. 36:1-22) (Part 1)

Background: For this week's Bible verses to make sense, there are four things you need to know.

• Hezekiah was the King of Judah.  The kingdom of Judah consisted of two tribes (Judah and Benjamin).
• The dominant world power at the time was Assyria (not to be confused with Syria).
• The King of Assyria was Sennacherib.
• “Rabshekah” was not a proper name. It was a title that meant “cup-bearer” or “high, trusted official.”  This was Sennacherib's trusted adviser, who was skilled at oratory.

Introduction:

• Can you remember a time when you lost confidence in someone or something?
• What thoughts bounced around in your mind? What emotion did you have to corral?
• This week's Bible story is about three politicians who almost lost confidence in God and in their leader.  (That's a story that will sell! Manipulated enough, it could be front-page in tomorrow's Wall St. Journal.)
• Read the story in Isaiah chapter 36, verses 1 to 22.
• Is your confidence being shaken? If so, how should you respond?

Why Didn't Hezekiah Pray? (Isa. 39:1-8)

Having the benefit of reading several chapters about King Hezekiah, we know he was a man of prayer. When Assyrian officials threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah prayed. God answered. When Hezekiah was told his life was about over, he prayed. God answered.

Why didn't Hezekiah pray when told about about the news in Isaiah 39:8? That prophecy affected his descendants. It appears Hezekiah gave up, that he resigned himself to the news. What reasons could there be for this?

• Weariness of the fight. One‘s lifetime is a long time to fight. You get in trouble and pray, get in trouble and pray. Then you pray that you don't get into trouble.
• Weakness of the flesh. Prayer isn't convenient. It takes time, effort and energy. Prayer is a discipline. Each request or threat doesn't impact you the same. Unless your flesh is immediately threatened, it's easy to postpone seriousness.
• Winsomeness of the fortune. You've heard “Why worry when you can pray?” Hezekiah twisted it. “Why pray when you can pay?”  Perhaps he didn't pray because he didn't need divine intervention. He could buy his way out of anything.
• Wistfulness over the future. Hezekiah was apprehensive yet irresponsible. Since the prophesied outcome didn't directly affect him, he chose to do nothing about it. He was content to let future generations deal with it. It would stink to be them, but it was great to be Hezekiah. He would remain comfortable.