Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Da sa en av de høytstående herrene til dem: «Si nå til Hiskia at den store kongen av Assur spør hvorfor du tør og sette deg opp mot ham? Hvilken trygghet har du? Hvem stoler du på? Du snakker om planer og hvor sterk du er i kamp, men dette er bare ord. Stoler du på farao i Egypt? Han er ikke mye til støtte! Han skader dem som lener seg til ham. Men hvis dere sier til oss: ‘Vi stoler på Herren vår Gud’, da lurer vi på hvordan du, Hiskia, kunne rive ned alteret Hans. Du hadde jo sagt til Juda og Jerusalem: ‘Dere skal tilbe foran dette alteret i Jerusalem’. Derfor vil jeg oppfordre deg til å gjøre et veddemål med min herre, Assurs konge. Gjør du det, så skal jeg gi deg 2000 hester, hvis du på din side kan skaffe ryttere til dem. Hvordan skal du kunne stå imot den minste av våre soldater? Hvordan kan du stole på at du får vogner og ryttere fra Egypt? Er det ikke fordi Herren selv vil det, at jeg nå har kommet opp mot dette stedet for å ødelegge det? Herren sa jo til meg: ‘Gå opp og ta landet og ødelegg det!’»
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, Rabshakeh, an Assyrian official, is speaking to Hezekiah, the king of Judah. He is questioning Hezekiah's confidence and asking what he is relying on for his strength and security. The message is about challenging the source of Hezekiah's trust and confidence.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where you have to protect your fort. Rabshakeh, like a big bully, is telling Hezekiah, who is the leader of the fort, that he doesn't believe Hezekiah can really protect his fort. He's asking Hezekiah what he thinks he can do to win the game.
Historical Background
This verse is from the Book of 2 Kings, written by prophets around the 6th century BCE. It was written for the Israelites, who were often under threat from surrounding nations. The Assyrian Empire was a powerful force at the time, and Hezekiah was facing the threat of an Assyrian invasion.
Living It Out Today
In modern terms, this verse can be seen as a reminder not to underestimate the power of faith and confidence. For example, a small business owner facing a larger competitor might be told they can't succeed. But just like Hezekiah, they might have strong confidence in their abilities and support system.
Why is Rabshakeh questioning Hezekiah's confidence?
Rabshakeh is questioning Hezekiah's confidence to intimidate him and to undermine the morale of the people of Judah, making it easier for the Assyrians to conquer them.
What is the significance of Rabshakeh's message to Hezekiah?
The message is significant because it shows the psychological warfare used by the Assyrians, trying to weaken Hezekiah's resolve by questioning his sources of strength and confidence.
How does this verse relate to the overall narrative of 2 Kings?
This verse is part of a larger narrative where Hezekiah, a faithful king, faces numerous challenges, including the threat from the Assyrians. It sets up the tension that is resolved later in the chapter.
What can we learn from Hezekiah's response to this challenge?
Hezekiah's eventual response can teach us about the importance of relying on faith and divine support, especially in times of great adversity, and not giving in to fear and intimidation.