Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-30

The book of Isaiah, as we have it, is
composed of seven books, being collec-
lions of his prohphecies at different
times during his ministry. The sixth
book is mace up Of his prophecies dur
ing the reign Of Hezekiah, one OF which
We study today.
1t was in the sixth year OF Hezekian
that shaImanezar, the king OF Assyrias
extended his campaign of conquest down
into Israel ana judah. Israel was car
ried away captive and some OF the cities
OF Judah taken. The kingdom paid
tribute to Assyria each year.
In the 14th year Of Hezekiah, eight
wears later. Shalmanezar died, and SEN
nacherib came to the throne. Hezekian'
as well as other tributary kingdoms.
thought this a good time to throw Oft
the yoke, so he refused TO pay the Gus
tomary tribute This precipitated an
invasion by Sennacherib to regain the
tribute he lad lost and to subdue this
rebellion. He desired also TO bring
Egypt under his power. Babylonia ana
Media being conquered. Assyria desired
to subdue Egypt and be the great worlo
power.
on the way to Egypt. therefore, he
Invaded judah and captured ~ OF its
defensed cities over 100000 men were
taken captive, and the Kingdom, small
at best therefore greatly depleted. Hez-
ekfah now thought it the part of wis
dom TO nay the tribute. II amounted In
purchasing power to 100000. Then
Hezekiah gathered the men Of Jerusa-
lem together for this did not stop Sen
nacherib. and encouraged them by as
surfing them that in spite Of the great
,,,snroportion between the mighty As
svrian army and the small defensive
forces of Judah. they need not rear Tor
with the Assyrians' numbers was only
the arm Of flesh while with Judahs
weakess was the arm of the Lord their
God who would fight their battles for
them.
RABsHAKERS THREAT.
From Lachish, near the great road that
led from Assyria to Egypt. along the
Philistine border. Sennacherib sent RAD
shaken. the chief officer, with TWO 9TH
ers to demand that Hezekiah capitulate
sennacherib did not want to take the
time to subdue Jerusalem, for he need
ed to go on to Egypt. He very natural
lv thought that Hezekiah, weakened as
he haa been, would not think of resist
mig him, but he had not measured MS
opponent well. Rabshakeh was met at
the gate by three of Hezekiah's counsel
lors. who received the message he had
10 hear. II was a boastful threat, In es-
sence this: Ny master demands your
masters surrender: he has swept every
thing before him. therefore II Is no use
in your master opposing him; he mas
shown himself greater than any OF the
gods OF the nations, therefore you neeo
not think your God Will De any oirle1-
emit
The three Jewish counsellors requested
that Rabshekah speak in the Syrian rath-
err than the Jewish language so the
people on the wall could not understand
hut he called out to them in their Ian
g1Iage repeating the threats he had made,
and announcing that they need not trust
In Hezekiah's God. for He could not
deliver them out of Sennacherib's hand
II they desired to save themselves they
had better surrender at once.
He had not counted on such loyalty as
they displayed either; for they were alb
soIutely silent. since Hezeisiah had com
mRnded them not to speak word.
lust at this time Rabshekah heard a
ruuor las Isaiah said he WOULD that
Libnah had been attacked, and went
there TO join his master. From thence
he wrote a letter to Hezekiah repeating
what he had spoken
RABsHEKAHS LETTER.
Look carefully at that letter. think
you will note that II contains three
fold charge against JenONdh. A. mat nc
was not to be depended upon; He was
not one IN whom Hezekiah could trust
with confidence in His ability 20 help; 2
that he was impotent in the face Of
sennacherib; none OF the other gods had
been able TO deliver their people out OF
Sennacherib's hanC, neither would He be
able; and 3. that He was not living
God, but nothing more nor less than an
idol like the other gods were.
v aen Hezelxiah heard Of the threat
Rabshekah had made he sent to Isaiah
20 request that he pray for him. Isaiah
lived not In Jadah but within the bounda-
ries of the northern kingdom, 1t was
rather strange for a king TO send to a