God's purpose in Prophecy

 Read Isaiah 48.

Being conquered and captured by a foreign power, meant the people of Israel suffered the loss of everything.

Those events should not have come as any surprise to the nation.  Through His spokesmen, the prophets, God repeatedly warned them with specifics and called upon them to repent of their sin. But they would not listen.

In prophetic messages, God foretold of the 70 years of Babylonian captivity, Babylon's defeat by Cyrus, and of their return to the land.  Why did the LORD tell Israel about all these happenings in advance?
1. So, God alone would get the credit. (v.5)
The people had placed their trust for guidance and their future in other things.  When the prophecies became reality, the only explanation would be God's word.

2. So God could display His foreknowledge. (v.7-8)
He knows and controls the future.  No one else does.

3. So God alone would be praised. (v.9-11)
He reveals His truth and implements His plans for people to stand in awe of Him.  The reasonable response is to praise and worship the LORD.

The error the Jews made was to think that because of their heritage and because they used the right words they were in right standing with God.  God's view of them on the other hand is described with these words: hypocrites (v.1), obstinate and hardheaded (v.4), spiritually deaf (v.8a), rebel (v.8b).

How many people have held to the same erroneous thinking about their relationship with Christ?  Just because a person has parents who were believers in Jesus or because they went to church no more fits one for heaven than walking into a garage can turn someone into a car.  Reciting certain words does not make one right before the LORD.  He wants our exclusive, personal faith and trust in Him.

"Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!  Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteousness live the waves of the sea." (v.18)

 

 

4 thoughts that will destroy your Life

 Read Isaiah 47.

This is an amazing prophecy regarding the end of the Babylonian Empire.  Dethroned and disgraced, the once powerful kingdom that ruled from India to Africa will be no more.  God had used the Babylonians to discipline the kingdom of Judah and take them captive for 70 years.

Babylon's demise happened quickly, as the LORD foretold in verse 9, "In a moment, in one day."  Daniel 5 needed only two verses at the end of the chapter to recount what took place.  Immediately, the Medes and Persians came to world power.

What was behind the downfall of this mighty empire?
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)

Notice the quotes from God concerning the Babylonians.  This reminds us again that God hears our every word, knows the thoughts of our hearts, and watches our every action.
1. "You felt secure in your wickedness." (v.10a)
They thought they could sin and get away with it.

2. "You said, 'No one sees me.'" (v.10b) 
They thought, if there is a God in heaven, He is far removed and does not care about what I do.

3. "Your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray." (v.10c)
They thought they knew better than God about how to live and what guidance they should follow.

4. "You said in your heart, 'I am and there is no one besides me.'" (v.10d)
They thought that they arrived where they were by their own doing and they would be the masters of their fate.  False thinking led them to believe they could live with no accountability to the LORD.

So, God challenged them to go on and depend upon their own made up spiritualism (v.12) and their belief in astrology (v.13).  See if they can save you in the time of trouble and terror.  All of it will prove to be futile and a waste of time when real help is needed.

There is only One who can save. 
"'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'  Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:6b-8a)

 

Now, hear This!

 Read Isaiah 46.

Twice in this chapter, God says, "Listen to me."  In the middle of the chapter, He says, "Remember this."  What is it that the LORD wants His people to hear and remember?

The historical context has to do with encouraging Israel to look beyond the pending Babylonian captivity.  No matter what suffering and loss they may endure, there are some basics of the faith to which they must cling.  For them, locations will change, culture will change, leadership will change, but God does not!  He will be with them and deliver the nation.

Since the character of God does not change, the key statements may be equally applied to us for our hearing and reminders.

1. There is no other God. (vv.1-7)
Over and over again, the LORD claims that He is the only God there is.  All others are man-made illusions that are incapable of providing any help.  Believing in the power of the planets, like Bel the sun god, or carrying around idols, will prove to be a waste of time and money.

Instead of carrying around one's god, the LORD of the universe claims to carry us (v.4).  He superintends our lives from before our birth, while in the womb, into old age.  He has no equal.

2. He is sovereign over all. (vv.8-11)
As the eternal God, He has no beginning and no end.  The creation is not the result of chaos but purpose.  The LORD personally superintends His creation, including our lives, to fulfill all His plans.  "I will do it."

3. His righteousness is available. (vv.12-13)
He offer to us His power of forgiveness and making things right.  It is near us now.  Then, why do so many live alienated from God and carry their guilt and shame?  It is not because of a lack of provision from the LORD.  Verse 12 states the problem is a stubborn heart that refuses to acknowledge who God is and His claims upon them.  Once a person listens and responds their hearts open to receive His deliverance.

How near is this salvation?  The Apostle Paul wrote a similar application, quoting from Deuteronomy 30:14, "But what does it say?  'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:8-9)

 

Reading history in Advance

 Read Isaiah 45.

This prophecy concerns Cyrus, who became the head of the Medo-Persian Empire.  In short, the Assyrians would be defeated by the Babylonians.  The Babylonians would then take Judah captive for seventy years of exile.  Next, the Medes and Persians allied to conquer the Babylonians.  Cyrus not only assisted in helping the Jews return to their homeland from Babylon but he paid for the rebuilding of the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem.  Isaiah 45:13 is the prophecy and 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 is the historical record. 

The astounding value of this portion of Isaiah, with names and details, is that it was written about 100 years in advance!  When God states, as He indicated in chapter 44 that He controls the future, He means it.

God referred to Cyrus as "my Shepherd" (44:28) and "his anointed" (45:1), called and used by God to fulfill His plans, "though you do know me" (v.4).  The LORD can use anyone and anything for His purpose, even unbelievers, without them realizing it.  Some may object and question God doing this.  But in verses 9-10, the LORD warns against arguing with Him.  As the Creator, He can do as He wishes with His property.

The future of the restoration of Israel, however, would not be limited to their return to the land and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.  Of even more importance was the rebuilding of the nation spiritually.  The prophecy looks forward to a time when Israel will unitedly worship the LORD and experience the full blessings of God on earth.  In addition, all nations will acknowledge that He is the one true God and that there is no one else (v. 14).

His call in verse 22 is to "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!"  We have the freedom to respond now.  But in that day, when Messiah rules and reigns from the throne of David, the response will be by both worship and command.  The Apostle Paul used verse 23 and applied it to Jesus in Philippians 2:10-11: "So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."    

 

6 irrefutable claims by the God of the Bible

 Read Isaiah 44.

"There are none so blind as those who will not see."  According to the Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings that quote may be traced back to John Heywood in 1546.  Many people choose to ignore the spiritual truth that they already know.  That is nothing less than willful ignorance.  A vast number of people, even when they see the truth in front of them, hear it in their own language, and have it explained to them just cannot process God's word.

Several times in the Bible the subject of spiritual blindness and deafness is discussed.  Sometimes it is willful and at other times it is God who has prevented them from responding "for he has shut their eyes" (v.18).

The result of such inability leaves people to their own imagination and devices to fill that spiritual void.  Isaiah details in verses 9-20 how some make up gods with their own hands.  It is insane to think that a piece of wood or metal, shaped and formed by a craftsman has some supernatural powers.  Others place their faith in philosophical schemes or depend on their own thoughts about eternity.  And, then they hope they are correct.

Here are six irrefutable claims of the Sovereign LORD God of the Bible.
1. "I am the first and the last; besides me there is no god." (v.6)

2. "I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone spread out the earth by myself..." (v.24)

3. "...who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish..." (v.25)

4. "...who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers..." (v.26)

5. He controls the natural world. (v.27)

6. He controls the future. (v.28)

In addition, the LORD has claims on our individual lives and decisions.  Can you see it?  Can you hear it?  His invitation in verse 22 is "I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you."  Will you come?

 

11 reasons not to fear the Future

 Read Isaiah 43.

"Thus says the LORD."  Isaiah delivered God's messages primarily to the southern kingdom of Judah.  Increasingly, the warnings look beyond the Assyrian invasion to the Babylonian captivity.  The discipline of the nation was due to their sinful disobedience (vv.22-24).  But along with the predicted judgment came the promise of Israel being regathered, forgiven, and blessed.

The LORD wanted to remind them who He is, what He has done, and what He can do for them.  Twice in this chapter God said, "Fear not."  Here are the reasons why they did not need to fear the future.
1. I created you. (v.1a)
Man is not the result of some cosmic accident.  Creation is not just a Genesis issue.  God claims to have personally brought the universe and life into existence.  He is the Owner of all things (Psalm 24:1)

2. I formed you. (v.1b)
As a potter works the clay for His own design and purposes, so the LORD takes full responsibility for the shaping of this nation and its people.  The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesian 2:10, "We are his workmanship."

3. I redeemed you. (v.1c)
Literally, He bought them out of slavery.  This is an obvious reference to the Exodus.  At great cost, through the shedding of blood during the Passover, the people were freed.  "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" for us (1 Corinthians 5:7).

4. I called you. (v.1d)
In Genesis 12, God called Abraham and subsequently made an unconditional covenant with his descendants.  He called the nation out of Egypt.  This calling of God was in order for them to fulfill His plan.  They were on an assigned mission.

5. You are mine. (v.1e)
Now, they are twice His-by creation and by redemption.

6. I will be with you. (v.2a)
Though they will face difficult days ahead, God's presence will never leave them.  He is and will be right there with them all the way.  "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

7. I will protect you. (v.2b)
There is no need to feel overwhelmed or give up.  He will bring His people through the toughest of circumstances.

8. I am your Savior. (v.3)
The LORD claims exclusivity.  There is no other Savior.  The Apostle Peter proclaimed, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

9. I love you. (v.4)
The God of the Bible is not detached from His creation.  He is a loving God who desires a personal relationship with each of us.

10. I will provide for you. (vv.19-21)
He will make a way for His people when there does not seem to be a way.  He will take care of His own when no resources are in sight.

11. I am he who blots out your transgressions. (v.25)
His promise to forgive and "I will not remember your sins" does not mean God has a memory lapse.  But once we have confessed our sins and He has cleansed us, He will not bring up our past against us.

 

It is a great day for Singing!

 Read Isaiah 42.

The people of Israel, called "my servant" in verse 19, were to have shown the world what a nation under God looks like.  Their obedience to the LORD should have pointed others to Him.  They are His people by creation and covenant (vv.5-7).  That will not change.  However, two things will happen in response.  First, God will deal with their disobedience.  Second, He will send "my servant" (v.1), a person this time, to lead them and the entire world.

We could be at a loss as to this person's identity.  Some have tried to claim him as an historical leader who fulfilled this role.  However, Matthew 12:15-21 quotes these verses, stating that this is no one else but Jesus.  Notice that the details do not fit His earthly ministry 2000 years ago.  So, some try to spiritualize the passage by saying that Jesus is ruling the world from heaven.  But look closely at the details.

What will characterize this international servant-leader?  (vv.1-4)
1. He will be chosen by God.
This will not be a leader by human empowerment, but one sent from the Father on an earthly mission.  "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

2. He will be a delight to the Father.
At the baptism of Jesus, the Father spoke for all to hear.  "And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.'" (Mark 1:11)

3. The Spirit of God upon Him.
On one occasion in the synagogue, Jesus read aloud Isaiah 61:1-2: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me."  Then, He said, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

4. He will judge all nations.
This certainly has not taken place yet.  One day, the LORD will exercise His power of ownership over His creation.  See verses 13-17.  Some count God's patience as silence (v.14).  There is coming a rude awakening, especially for those who have put their trust elsewhere (v.17).

5. He will be quiet and gentle.
Isaiah wrote in 40:11, "He will feed his flock like a shepherd.”  Jesus said in John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd."

6. He will be faithful.
In the depiction of the returning Christ in Revelation 19:11, He is called "Faithful and True."

7. He will establish His rule on earth.
The Bible contains more prophecies concerning the second coming of Christ than His first coming.  Revelation 20:1-6 describes the fulfillment of Jesus earthly reign for 1,000 years prior to making a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation 21.

Jesus is coming!  With this hope of the future secured, the instruction in verse 10 is to "Sing to the LORD a new song."  Today is a great day to sing as we await His return.

 

5 statements from God that will sustain You

 Read Isaiah 41.

God is sovereignly in control of nations to do His will, whether they know it or not.  He declared in these opening verses that it was not merely the notions of a great power to invade and conquer.  The LORD "stirred" or raised them up to fulfill His purposes.

Though Israel often failed in their obedience, God said that He would remain faithful to them.  In verses 8-9, He chose them as His own and will "not cast you off."  Though enemies will continue to endeavor to annihilate the Jews, the LORD repeatedly states that all their foes "shall perish" and amount to nothing (vv.11-12).

How have the Jews survived since the time of Abraham?  How are they sustained to this day in their national lack of spiritual awakening and obedience to the LORD?  Even more, how do we survive our personal challenges?  The answer is in verse 10.

1. I am with you.
"Fear not" is not whistling in the dark with positive thoughts.  Our peace comes from knowing that God is personally present with us.  We do not walk through trials alone.  There is no greater Friend.

2. I am your God.
We may become discouraged when our faith in other things or other people have disappointed us.  But God is ever faithful.  The Hebrew word here is Elohim.  He is the supreme ruler and in full control.

3. I will strengthen you.
In a time of Paul's own sense on inability, Jesus spoke to him.  "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

4. I will help you.
Sometimes God resolves issues without us to demonstrate His power and control.  Most often, He wants to show His grace as He enables us to face difficulties.  There is an old saying, "If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it."

5. I will uphold you.
Imagine, the Almighty God of the universe personally supplies His power to us as we have need.  There are no better hands in which we could trust our lives.

God's character does not change.  He cares for His own.  He cares for us.

How big is your God?

 Read Isaiah 40.

After all the pronouncements of coming judgments, the book turns to themes of great encouragement.  Terrible days are ahead.  Assyria will return and put enormous pressure on Judah in every way.  Babylonia will rise as the world power, conquer Judah and take them away captive for 70 years.  But there is hope.

God warned the people through Moses in Deuteronomy 28 that if they did not obey Him they would lose the blessing of being on the land He had given to them.  The national punishment for their sin had come.  In His faithfulness the LORD sent His spokespersons, the prophets.  Those messengers were preaching like voices crying out in the wilderness (v.3).  The people lived in a spiritually dry place, not much growth, and only a few listening to what God had to say.

The message of hope is the King is coming!  Prepare for Him now.  As with all the Old Testament prophets, they often blended the two comings of the Messiah and could not see the time distance between them.  Isaiah described His coming in great glory.  But when Jesus came the first time, all the Gospel writers attributed this passage to John, the Baptist.  He was preparing the nation for the Suffering Savior whom Isaiah describes in chapter 53.

Despite the challenges and rough days they will be facing, the focus of this message is on who God is.  The key question in verses 18 and 25: "To whom then will you liken God...?"
1. He is King of Kings (v.10)
When Jesus returns, as depicted in Revelation 19, He will rule the entire world.

2. He is like a Shepherd. (v.11)
Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd who cares, and even lays down His life, for His sheep.

3. He is all knowing. (vv.12-14)
There are five questions that have to do with the origins of knowledge and information.  The God of the Bible is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.

4. He is a living Being. (vv.19-20)
Following Christ is not a religion.  It is a relationship with a real Person.  Every religion is based upon a dead hero and/or a made up system of good works.  As an alternative, people worship inanimate objects of nature or idols crafted by humans.  Our Savior is alive!

5. He is the Creator of all things. (vv.21-26)
God is not an invention of man's ideas.  He not only owns the universe, but He superintends it as well.  Anyone reading this section would have known that the earth is not flat.

6. He is the eternal God. (vv.27-31)
With no beginning and no ending, the LORD is not a cultural whim or a belief of only a particular group. 
His endurance is unending.
His understanding is unsearchable.
His power is unlimited.
And, He freely offers His strength to us by His grace (v.31).

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (v.8)

 

Guarding personal character when under Pressure

 Read Isaiah 39.

Under threat from the Assyrians, any words of kindness would have been more than welcomed by Hezekiah.  History reports that the King of Babylon rebelled against Sennacherib and was actually deposed by him.  With the stated pretense of checking on Hezekiah's health, the Babylonians may have been looking for an ally.  Flattered by such attention, Hezekiah wanted to impress these visitors.  It is obvious that instead of giving God the glory for all His blessings, Hezekiah took credit.  Whatever the motive of the Babylonians, they now knew of all Judah's treasures.

The LORD sent Isaiah to confront Hezekiah concerning his pride and lack of discernment.  Indeed, the Babylonians later overthrew Assyria and then returned to conquer Judah.  One cannot read Hezekiah's response to the prophecy without sensing his self-focus.  

1. Beware of flattery.
This is especially so when it comes from those whom you do not know.  Receive the kind words at surface value with a "thank you" and then move on.  The admitted downfall of so many well-known people came when they began believing the flattering words others were saying about them.

2. Beware of a lust for kindness.
When people are under great pressure or in pain, there can be a lustful longing for any encouragement from nearly any source.  The emotions desire a pleasurable escape, even if temporary.  The devil knows how to provide the wrong sort of such escapes.

3. Beware of a lack of discretion.
At all times, we need to guard our thoughts and our words.  We need God's wisdom to discern daily interactions with other people.  Being prudent and careful about our behaviors is an indication of personal character.

 

6 insights on praying through Pain

 Read Isaiah 38.

In what he felt was the "middle" of his life (v.10), good King Hezekiah became severely ill.  The LORD sent Isaiah to inform the king that he would die.  It is obvious from the king's prayer that this sickness was not because he had done anything wrong.  Indeed, with quite a degree of confidence he was able to say to God that he had been faithful (v.3).

God heard his prayer and extended the king's life for fifteen more years.  The prophecy came with a miraculous sign (vv.7-8).  As it turned out, this episode was a test of Hezekiah's faith.  How would he respond under this threat?  Would he blame God or thank God?  Would he curse or pray?  Hezekiah made an A on the test.

What do we learn from this story?
1. Not all sickness is the result of sin or wrongdoing.
This was a faithful, godly man.  Passing this personal, life-threatening stress prepared him to trust God even more during the national threat.  God's tests are designed to strengthen us spiritually.

2. All healing is temporal.
Sooner or later, everyone will die.  Even Lazarus died again.  Hezekiah's healing simply gave him fifteen more years to serve the nation in a time of great need.  God answered his prayer in order for the LORD to fulfill His plan.  God was not through with him.  With 15 years of added life, history records that Hezekiah died in 686 B.C.  That places this stressful time in 701 B.C., the same year the Assyrians invaded.

3. It was for his welfare.
In verse 17, Hezekiah could see how this turned out for his benefit.  The Apostle Paul wrote: "All things work together for good" (Romans 8:28), but we have to look for and trust God for the purpose in pain.  This is a difficult task when it does not make sense to us.  The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:71: "It was good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes."

4. It is the mercy of God that we do not receive what we deserve.
High stress causes all our impurities to rise to the surface.  The king was grateful in verse 17 that the LORD "cast all my sins behind your back."  Acknowledging one's sins and receiving God’s forgiveness helps us understand His compassion on us.  It is also the basis for us to understand the sin of others and our ability to forgive them.  Those who know the mercy of God become merciful people.

5. Trust God and take your medicine.
Isaiah came with a treatment for the boil that cured the illness.  This was not a lack of faith on Hezekiah's part but thankfully receiving God's provision for him.

6. There is a promise for every pain.
God gave Hezekiah two promises in verses 5 and 6.  His life was extended, and his people would be protected from this enemy.  How crucial it is for our well-being and spiritual growth to know the word of God!  His written promises sustain us, come what may.

 

Will you trust Him when things get Worse?

 Read Isaiah 37.

The Assyrians surrounded Jerusalem with an overwhelming show of force.  They not only demanded immediate surrender, but they mocked the LORD saying that trust in Him was vain.  King Hezekiah said, "This is a day of distress, or rebuke, and of disgrace" (v.3).

The test of faith was on.  The question: Whom do you trust?  Judah did not have the resources to fight and win.  God had promised to protect them.  He even said through Isaiah that the Assyrians would be defeated and go home.  How could that possibly happen?  There was no answer but to cast their total dependence on the faithful LORD who had promised.

What did Hezekiah do?
1. He asked for prayer. (v.4)
The king first turned to his number one prayer warrior to ask for God's help.

2. He sought godly counsel. (vv.5-7)
In those days, the word of God was delivered through the prophets.  Isaiah provided advice straight from the LORD.  First, "Do not be afraid."  Fear is the opposite of faith.  Confidence in God pleases Him.  Second, God has a plan to fulfill His promise.  Most often He uses us in His plan, but, as in this case, He does not need us.  He is in total control

After those two major steps in the process, things became worse!  That is not an uncommon experience.  We think if we pray and do what is right, everything will be fine.  The reality is that the test of our faith may become harder.  When God acts in an impossible situation no one else can take the credit.  It also provides an unprecedented opportunity for personal spiritual growth.

What did Hezekiah do when things got worse?
3. He "spread it out before the LORD." (v.14)
Having received Sennacherib's threatening letter, the king physically laid the letter down in front of him as he prayed for God to intervene.  The Assyrians' biggest mistake was to assume that the God of Israel was just like all the man-made gods of other nations.  This had become a spiritual war.  The motive of Hezekiah's prayer was "that the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD." (v.20)

In verse 28, God said He heard every word.  God saw the complacency of some toward Him and the outright rage of others.  185,000 Assyrian soldiers died without one arrow having been shot from Jerusalem.  Sennacherib went home in disgrace and was assassinated by his own sons.

This actual, historically verified account cannot be dismissed by any naysayer.  Our God is all-powerful.  Our God is faithful to fulfill His every word.  Do not be afraid.  Spread it out before the LORD in prayer and trust Him.

 

Faith, when facing an overwhelming Situation

 Read Isaiah 36.

The fourteenth year of Hezekiah's reign places this event in 701 B.C.  Twenty-one years prior to this the Assyrians defeated the northern kingdom of Israel. They marched down the coast conquering city after city.   The last significant piece left standing in the land was Jerusalem.

Sennacherib sent thousands of troops to surround the city and demanded its surrender.  One of his field commanders, with the military rank of Rabshakeh, stood to negotiate the final terms.  King Hezekiah dispatched three of his most trusted men to the meeting.

 With enormous confidence and sarcasm, the Assyrian spokesman presented his case in no uncertain terms.
He began in verse 4 with the question that everyone must answer when facing an overwhelming situation.
"On what do you rest this trust of yours?"  Then, he made five pronouncements.  Some of these may sound familiar.

1. Hope is not a strategy. (v.5)
Positive thinking and words of affirmation about a crisis will not resolve the problem.  This is a war.  Just saying, "We will do the best we can and hope things will all work out" won't win the battle.

2. You cannot trust your neighbor to help you. (v.6)
In this case, Egypt was not the powerhouse of the past.  They could not be depended upon to come to Judah's rescue.  Isaiah had already said this in his messages.

3. You cannot rely on your own gods. (v.7)
Two things are at work in his point here.  One is that every city Assyria had systematically destroyed had their own faith systems.  None of them proved effective because they were false gods.  The big mistake by this spokesman was that he lumped the One true God along with all the others.  He, perhaps, thought that Hezekiah had lost his faith due to the removal of all the false altars to strange gods.  The truth was that the king had purged the land of all but worshiping the LORD.  (2 Kings 18)

4. You do not have enough resources to win. (v.8-9)
He even bet them that if they could come up with enough riders, he would give them 2000 horses.  But evidently, he knew Jerusalem did not have that many.  Even if they did, he sarcastically said that all of those could not win a fight with one of his captains.

5. This is what God wants. (v.10)
The pagan who did not know God at all tried to bully them by claiming to speak for the LORD.  He was lying and using it as a manipulative tactic.  Beware when someone who does not profess a personal relationship with the LORD and who has never read and studied God's word endeavors to quote God. 

This encounter caused the three men to return in near despair.  Much of what the Assyrian had said was true.  What could they do?  How could they respond?  How could they survive?

But God in His faithfulness had already delivered His word through the Prophet Isaiah.  Jerusalem would not be conquered by the Assyrians.  Indeed, the Assyrians would be defeated and go home.  That required a ton of faith. 

Jeff and Sherri Easter sing a wonderful gospel song that says:
"Over and over, again and again, God is faithful.
Over and over, again and again, through it all He's made me able
To stand and survive, to come through alive, when it sure looked like I could not win.
But Jesus is with me, so I'll claim the victory, over and over again."