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Rabshakeh and the Argument for Religious Equality Isaiah 36-37. Modern Religious Equality. Modern society takes pride in being tolerant and pluralistic
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Rabshakehand the Argument for Religious EqualityIsaiah 36-37
Modern Religious Equality • Modern society takes pride in being tolerant and pluralistic • The popular notion today is to accept all beliefs; tolerate everyone (except those who have the truth); don’t exclude anyone (except those who have the truth) • In a world of where “politically correct” is more important than truly correct, all beliefs are equally valid, equally real, and equally valuable
Background • Jerusalem is surrounded by the Assyrian army, c. 701 B.C. (2 K. 18-19; 2 Chron. 32:1-23; Isa. 36-37) • The Assyrian King Sennacharib sends his captain and ambassador, Rabshakeh, to tell the people to surrender
Background • Rabshakeh advanced the following argument: • Stop putting your trust and confidence in God (2 K. 18:19-32; Isa. 36:4-10; 2 Chron. 32:10-12) • Your God is no different than all the other gods (2 K. 18:33-35; 19:8-13; 2 Chron. 32:13-19 [see especially v. 19]; Isa. 36:18-20 and 37:8-13) • Rabshakeh’s arrogance and blasphemy did not go unnoticed or unpunished by God (Isa. 37:23)
Modern Religious Equality • Your God is no different than the gods of world religions (Acts 17:22ff; 1 Cor. 8:5-6) • Your savior is no different that other saviors (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5) • Your church is no different than other churches (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-6) • Your Bible is no different than other religious writings (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)
Modern Religious Equality • Don’t let the modern-day Rabshakeh shake your trust and confidence in the one, true God • Patiently wait for the truth like the people did and do not follow man-made arguments (Isa. 36:21-22) • Pray to God like Hezekiah did and continue with your confident trust (Isa. 37:14-20) • Offer exhortation to the faithful like Isaiah did and do not be discouraged (Isa. 37:5-7, 21-35)