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Isaiah and Micah: Assyrian Crisis

  1. Lesson One
    Isaiah - YHWH and the Nations
    22 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Isaiah - YHWH and His People
    23 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  3. Lesson Three
    Isaiah's Anticipated Messiah
    24 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  4. Lesson Four
    The Authorship and Unity of Isaiah
    24 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    Micah
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment
Isaiah and Micah: Assyrian Crisis Isaiah – YHWH and His People In | Workbook: YHWH vs Sennacherib
Lesson 2, Activity 3

In | Workbook: YHWH vs Sennacherib

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

  1. Read Isaiah 36–37. Note similarities and differences in language and themes describing YHWH and the Assyrian king Sennacherib.
YHWH vs Sennacherib

Review the table below for some contrasts in Isaiah 36–37 between Sennacherib and YHWH, and then read the conclusion under the table.

Quoted, adapted from: Andrew Abernethy, The Book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom: A thematic-theological approach, 2016, p. 49.

Sennacherib YHWH
A messenger (the Rabshakeh) delivers the words of Sennacherib (36:4, 14, 16). A messenger (Isaiah) delivers the words of YHWH (37:6, 10, 21, 33).
Initial words try to sway the trust of the audience (36:4–10). Initial words try to sway the trust of the audience (37:6).
Claim of supremacy over all enemies—nations, kings and gods (36:14-20; 37:11-13). Claim of supremacy over the enemy—Assyria and Sennacherib (37:6-8, 22-29, 33-35).
Believes “the city” will be under his control (36:15; 37:10). Believes “the city” will be under his control (37:33-34).
Promises “eating” and cultivable land for the submissive (36:17). Promises “eating” and cultivatable land for his people (37:30).

Both Sennacherib and YHWH are making promises to Israel, but only one of them will deliver. Sennacherib and his army are devastated by the loss of 185,000 men, and the human king goes back to Nineveh defeated. Isaiah makes it clear in his prophecy, and YHWH continues to make it clear in history: it’s not the kings of foreign powers who are sovereign over history and the nations, but the God of Israel.