The narrative account in Isaiah 36-37 is permeated with brute power and force.

In the context of the imperial invasion of King Sennacherib of Assyria who swept through the countryside and attacked one city after another, the king sends his emissary together with a great army to Jerusalem to go and meet with Hezekiah, the king of Jerusalem. Hezekiah in turn sends his own officials to meet with this imperial delegation. In the language of the Judeans, the Assyrian Emissary delivers the following message to the people of Judah:

Don’t let the king lead to you to believe that he will be able to save you. Don’t follow your king in trusting in the God of Israel. Forget about all those beautiful, but empty, promises that God will save you. Your God, as also the other gods of your neighboring cities, are useless. Rather, pledge allegiance to the king of Assyria. He promises you a life of peace and prosperity. Who would not want to eat from your own vine and fig tree and drink water from your own cistern? You could do so unhindered under our rule, until the day ...