No. 24. >> How do Chapters 36 through 39 fit into the historical and literary context of Isaiah? >>DR. R. REED LESSING: Chapters 36 through 39 provide a nice balance with Chapters 6, 7 and 8 in Isaiah. Remember we talked about that being Isaiah is diary writing. Telling us a little bit more of a narrative of the life and times in Isaiah as opposed to much of the book which is simply oracles and messages and sermons. 6, 7 and 8 in Isaiah concern the prophet's ministry during mostly the reign of Ahaz. Ahaz, the king that didn't trust the Immanuel sign. 36 through 39 concerns Isaiah's ministry during the reign of Hezekiah. Hezekiah is a beautiful king. This type of Christ who trusts Yahweh implicitly when the enemies are gathering around the holy city of Jerusalem. So in a literary way, these chapters fit nicely in the first 39 chapters of Isaiah. They also function in this way. And let me just simply provide an overview for you of 36 through 39. As I said, the most explicit references to Assyria are in the prose accounts of Isaiah in Chapters 7 and 8 mostly and then again in 36 and 38 occur right here. Chapters 7 and 8 reflect the Syro-Ephraimitic Crisis. And Chapters 36 through 38 derive from the Assyrian attack on Judah in 701 BC. As we've already said, these two accounts are constructed in such a way as to highlight the responses of these two Judahite kings, Ahaz, Hezekiah. The connecting links are in 7:3 and 36:2. Quote: These dialogues take place on the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to Washerman's field. In both texts, Assyria is the decisive imperial power. And in both texts, Isaiah speaks directly to a king. First Ahaz, later Hezekiah. In both Isaiah admonishes the king not to fear the challenge before him. 7:4 and 37:6. And in both texts there's an overt reference to signs. The 7:14 and 37:30, 38:7 and 38:22. These similarities highlight the different ways in which the king responds to Isaiah. Ahaz does fear. Hezekiah does not. These events in Chapters 36 through 39 are narrated in both Isaiah and in II Kings 18:13 through 20 Verse 19. What transpires in Isaiah provides a key for understanding the presence in Assyria in much of the first part of Isaiah. Chapters 36 through 39 address the question that must vex those in Isaiah's day. Who does the Lord support? One could hear Isaiah preach and conclude that the Lord supported the efforts of Assyria. But the Assyrians were only the means by which the Lord was disciplining his people. Remember Isaiah 10 Verse 5: They are just the rod of the Lord's anger. In Assyria is not God's final word. Isaiah says that God will protect Jerusalem for my own sake and for the sake of David, Chapter 37 Verse 35. Chapters 40 through 66 address the questions: Why did we get exiled to Babylon? And will we ever return to Judah? The presence of the Babylonian leader, Merodach-baladan in Isaiah 39 answers these questions. Isaiah Chapters 36 through 39 then may be outlined as follows: Sennacherib's thwarted attempt to capture Jerusalem, Chapters 36 and 37. Second, Hezekiah's illness and restoration of health, Chapter 38. And finally, the embassy from Merodach-baladan concluding with the prediction of Babylonian exile in Chapter 39.