Isaiah 36: Strategy
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Sennacherib and his troops play a central role in today’s reading; these several sites may have something you will want to know:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/701sennach.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/534613/Sennacherib
In today’s Noontime, taunts are delivered to those inside the besieged city and if we read beyond this chapter – or if we recall the telling of this story from Kings – we will see that God never abandons the faithful. We will also see that God has ways of resolving conflict that are far more creative, and far more meaningful, than any solutions we might devise. Our only task – our only successful strategy – is to trust and follow God.
On what do you base this confidence of yours? Do you think mere words substitute for might and strategy in war?
The commander ridicules his opponents for thinking that words alone will frighten his troops; he mocks them for their belief in an unseen God. But he has also miscalculated. Placing his confidence in military supremacy and acumen, he teases those guarding the city walls. Perhaps the true reason for his jeering is that he knows that none of his gods can be stirred to help him. He has conquered whole regions through the strength of his warriors, but perhaps he fears that he cannot conquer these people who believe in the authority of Yahweh and who have been saved so many times by this Living God. He has heard about the God who saves the Israelites, but he has not personally experienced Yahweh’s awesome power. Perhaps he cannot fathom a God who serves his people in such a faithful way. He will soon have a lesson in obedience and trust.
On what do we base this confidence of ours? Do we think mere words substitute for might and strategy in living?
As followers of Christ we know that words alone do not make us disciples; we must act in Christ and not rely on personal strength or a store of information. James reminds us that we are to be doers of the word and not sayers only (James 1:22). Thus, the strategies of the Christian fold into one plan: Love one another as Christ has shown us – do not judge, do not seek revenge, pray for all. Even our enemies.
The ultimate end of the Israelite story is one all of us know and it teaches us the lesson that reliance on God when in danger is important but that ultimately we cannot succumb to corrupt and easy living. We must be persistent in maintaining an honest relationship with God. We must adhere to this new Law of Love rather than multiple empty rules that foster rote worship rather than genuine communion.
On what do we base this confidence of ours? Do we think mere words substitute for might and strategy in living?
We base our confidence on God. We substitute nothing for an authentic relationship with God and we publicly display this relationship daily in the way we treat others. The only strategy we employ is to hone true to God’s plan like a homing bird headed for home.
Image from: https://bible.fandom.com/wiki/Sennacherib
The Noontimes 