Because I don't make much progress here while I'm leading my bible studies, it's been a full year since we were last in II Kings. In Chapter 17 we saw the official end of the northern kingdom of Israel and in Chapter 18 we read of the many victories of Hezekiah in Judah, because he did right in the sight of the Lord. However, the Blue Letter Bible chronological reading plan left us with a cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 18. Now the exciting conclusion of Hezekiah in II Kings 19.
When last we left Hezekiah the official sent by Sennacherib, King of Assyria had demoralized the Judean officials and tempted the people listening from the city walls to surrender voluntarily. The three Judean officials tore their clothes and passed along the dire message to Hezekiah.
Verse 1 of Chapter 19 opens with Hezekiah also tearing his clothes, covering himself in sackcloth and entering the house of the Lord.
Good job, Hezekiah.
God loves a humble and contrite heart, especially one that runs to the house of the Lord in trust that God can handle this situation.
He further shows wisdom by sending for Isaiah, the "voice of God" available to him with a specific message based on the words from the Assyrian official. Hezekiah knew that God had heard and seen it all.
MacArthur states this is the first reference in I and II Kings to this prophet even though he'd already served 40 years under Uzziah.
When the messengers got to Isaiah, in verse 6 he confirmed that the Lord had heard the blasphemy and Hezekiah need not be afraid. God assures Hezekiah that He will send the official away and that he would be killed.
Indeed Assyria did end up with other problems and tried to push harder for Hezekiah to surrender so they could be done in Judah.
In verse 10, the Assyrian official overtly discourages Hezekiah from believing God and God's assurances of protection. Yikes. Not something one should undertake without a good life insurance plan in place. He points out that no one else's gods helped them.
Once again, Hezekiah takes all of these threats and blasphemies and bring them before the Lord. What good instincts. I wish I was that reflexive with my cares and troubles. I want to be.
The Hezekiah prays, beginning in verse 15:
- With all of the pressures facing Hezekiah, what's the first thing he does? Praises the Lord and reaffirms the character of the Lord. To flatter? Is God vain and needs compliments? Of course not. Hezekiah needs to remember WHO GOD IS. what's His character, strength, and historical actions. He is the creator of heaven and earth. When we remember who God is, it make the rest of the prayer make more sense.
- Then Hezekiah asks God to see and hear his troubles. He's clear about the challenges he is facing.
- Only then, in verse 19, he lays down the petition, "deliver us"; but even then Hezekiah is wise enough to know the important thing to include in the petition portion of his prayer..."for Your name's sake". Not because we deserve it or have earned it, but to glorify the name of the Lord.
And the Lord sends an answer through Isaiah, starting in verse 20.
- God starts His response by clarifying that God is, specifically, answering Hezekiah's prayer. Prayer prevails when we are humble and have the proper view of the Lord and the proper attitude of glorifying the Lord.
- He points out the mocking of Assyria against Israel
- He highlights their reproach and blasphemy.
- He repeats their many boasts and braggings
- But then He makes it clear that these things only happened because He planned them since ancient times. The Assyrians can't even take credit for the accomplishments they did achieve.
- He assures Assyrian that even their most basic movements are known to him, particularly commenting on their arrogance and raging against Him.
"Because of your raging against Me, and because your arrogance has come up to My ears, therefore I will put My hook in your nose, and My bridle in your lips, and i will turn you back by the way which you came.
II Kings 19:28
Not a lot of interpretation needed there. Ain't gonna go well for ole' Assyria.
Starting in verse 29, Isaiah gives them a sign from God. They would eat from what was grown for two years, and then they could sow reap and plant again. That probably meant meager provision, but a remnant would survive and Jerusalem would be saved. And Assyria wouldn't even shoot an arrow; they would return by the way they came.
"For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.
II Kings 19:34
In verse 35 the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrians in their camp.
In verse 36, Sennacherib slinks home to Nineveh.
And then, finally, in verse 37, Sennacherib is struck down in his own god's temple and his son became king.
Apparently his god wasn't able to save him, just as the gods of his vanquished weren't able to save them.
And Jehovah Elohim, the Lord of hosts, will not be mocked. Amen.