"Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out with a loud voice in Hebrew, and said, “Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you; nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, “The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.”’ vv.13-15
Read chapter 26
"The Rabshakeh" was a name or title for probably the chief officer or cup-bearer. It was not a proper name but an official title. Here the Rabshakeh spoke in Hebrew deliberately to be provocative and understood by Israel. He stood and shouted loud and clear using his posture and confidence as a nonverbal communication. Yet both what he spoke and how he carried himself was a deception. A ploy to get them to turn against king Hezekiah and ultimately against God who was speaking directly to him. We see Hezekiah's story during this time in 2 Kings 18 when he's in fear of the Assyrian invasion.
When have you seen deception happen by confidence in how someone carries themselves and the language they use? How have you been the rabshakeh to others?
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