This time, we’ll look at the Hebrew verb “natsal,” נצל. throughout addition to being used frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, this verb is important because it tells us a lot about how God interacts with humans. The stem “natsal” means “to separate, to snatch” in its basic sense. However, in addition to these basic meanings, “natsal” can also imply to spare, take, take away, keep away, escape, rip out, and save, rescue, redeem, depending on word choices and sentence structure.
It’s frequently about ripping out of need, running from danger, and saving for agony. Notably, the Lord God is the object of “natsal” in a great number of the instances found in the Old Testament text. In this way, He reveals Himself to humanity as a God of help and salvation. This frequently entails a passive kind of “natsal,” or being given, like Jacob encountered following his battle in the location he named “Peniel”: “Because my life has been “natsal” or delivered, even though I have seen God face to face.”Genesis 32:30[1]
Hezekiah and Jerusalem in need
The chronicle of Sennacherib’s siege of Jerusalem during King Hezekiah’s reign is replete with references to the verb “natsal,” which means “to save” (2 Kings 18–19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36, 37). High-ranking rabsakeh, Sennacherib’s emissary, says Hezekiah shouldn’t believe that God could protect him from the threat posed by the powerful Assyrian monarch who is on the march. He seems to be well aware of Hezekiah’s [confidence] in the Lord, which is a unique testimony! He encourages the people to reject the advice that Hezekiah gives them to put their trust in God. “Do not allow Hezekiah to mislead you, for he will not be able to “natsal” or save you,” the rabsakeh declares. 18:29 (2 Kings 18).
Hezekiah’s assertion that “the Lord will surely “natsal”/deliver us” (2 Kings 18:30; Isaiah 36:14–15) should also not cause you to lose confidence in the Lord. Hezekiah’s statement of confidence is turned into a lie by this rabshakeh, who promises them lies: “…and do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying: The Lord will “natsal”/deliver us” ( 2 Kings 18:32). How did Hezekiah’s [unwavering trust] in the Lord come to be known to this high official?
It is amazing that he makes an effort to threaten Hezekiah’s and all Judeans’ faith assurance. “Has any of the gods of the nations ever “natsal” or delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria?” he asks, mockingly blaming God and equating Him with several other helpless idols who were likewise unable to “natsal” or defend their devotees.18:33 (2 Kings). “Who among all the gods of the lands has delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?” he asks, caustically capping his god-provoking ridicule.Isaiah 36:19–20; 2 Kings 18:35). King Hezekiah sends messengers to the prophet Isaiah to request spiritual support in this difficult situation, and he also seeks the way of humility and prayer.
“Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me,” the Lord responds, promising salvation (2 Kings 19:6-7). The blasphemies shall be answered by Him. Sennacherib orders the rabshakeh to go even farther when he returns and responds to the provocative remark by stating to Hezekiah, “Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you.” 2:10 in 2 Kings.
He now calls the Almighty God a liar! Gods are nothing, thus Hezekiah’s God is also nothing. “Have any of the national gods ever “natsal” or given birth?””And shall you be “natsal”/delivered?” is the provocative question he poses as he concludes his blasphemous argument.Isaiah 37:11; 2 Kings 19:11–12. “For I will defend this city to “natsal”/save it, for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David,” God Himself would respond to this derisive query (2 Kings 19:34). In this way, the Lord’s angel fought on behalf of Judah and routed the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35-37). Jerusalem will not be abandoned by the Lord!
Faith
It was well known that Hezekiah had a great faith in the Lord, the God of Israel. King David 18:5. And he took action in that assurance. His self-assurance and faith inspired and served as an inspiration for many others in his town and period. However, the Lord also gives us an illustration of faith in His Word for the present, at this moment and circumstance. Unfailing, the Lord is the all-powerful Savior, almost “natsal” or saved.
Seeing how the enemy, among other things, attacks and controls our faith confidence is a vital, contemporary lesson (Ephesians 5:16). But like Hezekiah and the Judeans, those who cling to their faith in the Lord know that it is not in vain. Salvation is offered by the Lord![3]
Notes
[1] Only the stem “natsal” is named here and in the sequel; the various verb forms as they appear in the Hebrew text are not mentioned.
[2] “Chief cup bearer” is the meaning of the phrase “rabsakeh,” which most likely denotes a high military rank.
[3] A second article teaches you even more on this verb “natsal”.
© Copyright dr. Annechiena Sneller-Vrolijk
