Isaiah 36:4
And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
ISAIAH 36:4
Rabshakeh’s address intensifies here, with a bold challenge to Hezekiah’s trust. “What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?” is a direct assault on religious devotion and political allegiance. The message mixes flatter and threatening rhetoric: if you rely on a certain “confidence,” you will see its limitations. In the surrounding context, Rabshakeh aims to pry the people away from their covenant obligation with God toward a more predictable, imperially sanctioned loyalty. The rhetorical tactic is to redefine safety in terms of military strength and strategic cunning rather than divine protection. The cultural backdrop includes a worldview where kingship and military prowess are the primary guarantors of security. The discourse thus becomes a test: will Hezekiah and the people respond with genuine trust in the Lord, or will they accept the status quo of imperial power as their shield?
Theologically, this verse probes the reliability of human trust and the fleeting nature of earthly confidence. It warns against reducing faith to a trust in visible power rather than in the God who rules over nations. The prophets repeatedly invite the people to anchor themselves in God’s character and promises even when options appear limited or risky. The temptation to trust human cunning rather than divine sovereignty is a recurring human temptation. The verse highlights the moral and spiritual hazard of allegiance that compromises faithfulness to God in order to achieve security—a warning echoed in other prophetic oracles about trusting idols and human systems.
Application today involves examining where we place our confidence: career, political power, financial security, or social influence. Practical steps: identify “confidence” crutches, then test them against Scripture. Ask hard questions: Do these supports honor God? Do they encourage dependence on God or self-reliance? Build a habit of praying through fears and seeking counsel from wise, faith-filled mentors. When you encounter pressure to abandon gospel-centered living for the sake of security, rehearse God’s promises—his presence, his past faithfulness, and his ultimate sovereignty. Practice transparent leadership that is honest about fears while choosing trust in God. The takeaway: genuine security comes from God, not from the illusion of control offered by powerful adversaries or clever schemes.
Cross-References: Psalm 20:7; Psalm 44:6–8; Proverbs 3:5–6; Isaiah 31:1; Jeremiah 17:5