7 Before proceeding further with his attack on trust in Egypt, the Rabshaqeh apparently feels it necessary to demolish the hope of another group of hearers who might dismiss his remarks about Egypt by saying that they trust the Lord. To them his response shows the care with which the Assyrian foreign office kept track of events in vassal countries. Hezekiah’s religious reforms would be a matter of no small import to the Assyrians. The gathering of all the priestly power into the royal city could