2 Kings 18:17-37 - How the enemy seeks to demoralise us

We now come to the part which is also found in Isaiah 36-37. The Assyrian army came right to the walls of Jerusalem. Assyria was hoping to use threats to get Jerusalem to surrender, though they would have been confident of victory if it came to a battle. They would probably have besieged the place for a while, causing terrible conditions in the city.

The enemy uses fear to try and gain victory. Note the tactics used. There is a mixture of lies and truth in the words used. Our enemy uses the same tactics. Judah had tried to get help from Egypt and should not have done so, so her confidence is undermined. Then he mentions the taking away of the high places. Now this was a good thing and something that they had done right. However, for many years the people had worshipped at these high places, so they would be feeling vulnerable. No matter how devoted any of us are to the Lord there is some degree of mixture in our lives, there is some sin that the enemy can put his finger of accusation on. This is why it is so important that we know and understand that our confidence rests purely on Christ and what He has done. Hezekiah had returned the focus to Jerusalem, now the enemy was attacking Jerusalem. When we as individuals, or as a church or even a nation turn back to God, often there will be an attack on the right things that we have done.

Then the Assyrians offer them a way out, and he also claims to be acting on behalf of the Lord. Again there is a mixture of truth and lies. Assyria was indeed an instrument of the Lord, as Isaiah had said. However, we can be pretty certain that if Judah had surrendered slavery and exile would have been awaiting her.

Hezekiah then asked the Assyrians to speak in Aramaic for he did not want the people to hear and be demoralised. Assyria refused. We need to understand that the enemy will speak to us in a language we understand, he knows the fear buttons to press in our lives.

So the enemy speaks to all the people, seeking to undermine the leader. The enemy will try and undermine our leaders, and also to undermine their faith in God.

The people remained silent for they had been told to do this. When the enemy is lying to us (which is basically whenever he is speaking to us) the best tactic is not to engage with him. Do not bother trying to argue with your fears or anxieties. Instead turn to the positive word of the Lord.