Then the Assyrian king’s chief of staff told them to give this message to Hezekiah: “This is what the great king of Assyria says: What are you trusting in that makes you so confident? Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Who are you counting on, that you have rebelled against me? On Egypt? If you lean on Egypt, it will be like a reed that splinters beneath your weight and pierces your hand. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is completely unreliable! “But perhaps you will say to me, ‘We are trusting in the Lord our God!’ But isn’t he the one who was insulted by Hezekiah? Didn’t Hezekiah tear down his shrines and altars and make everyone in Judah and Jerusalem worship only at the altar here in Jerusalem? [Isaiah 36.4-7]
But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them, “Do not answer him.” [Isaiah 36.21]
It seems Sennacherib's words spoken by his chief of staff to Hezekiah's staff and eventually to the people were ignorant at best. Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah were alarmed by them but the people remained silent.
How many times do unbelievers taunt Christians with ignorant falsehoods? How many times are Christians challenged with ignorance?
I find some wisdom in the silence of the people of Jerusalem however (even though their silence was in obedience to Hezekiah). Sometimes, the best response to naysayers is the silence of no response.
Father, give me the grace to keep my mouth shut when the opportunity arises to do so and watch and see Your salvation!
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