The King Protects Us

Isaiah 36,37

The account in 2 Kings 18-19 is almost exactly the same. We pull from Isaiah because it is divided more "neatly" and we can simply read through both chapters.

A Reminder about Hezekiah: 2 Kings 18:1-8

Assyria had recently taken Israel. God had used Assyria as a punishment against their unfaithfulness and wickedness. Read more in 2 Kings 17

The Message from Sennacherib

Fortified Cities of Judah Taken

Rabshakeh (representative of Sennacherib) is sent from Lachish with a great army.

Hezekiah's representatives meet him.

The Rabshakeh essentially spouts Assyrian propaganda. No one to trust but Assyria! No one to deal with but them! No way Hezekiah could ever save them from Assyria.

Funnily enough, he gets it completely wrong by accusing Hezekiah of taking away the high places. These were usually places of idol worship. The Assyrians have no idea of how they worship God, and certainly don't care.

He mixes promises with threats in an effort to turn them against Hezekiah.

Hezekiah's representatives urge them to speak to them in Aramaic. Likely worried about who might hear these words elsewhere in the city.

The Rabshakeh ignores their request and speaks loudly in Hebrew, continuing his threats and promises. "Make peace, and you will be taken to a good land." He further asks if any other gods had delivered other nations from Assyria.

Hezekiah's people faithfully did not answer him at all, obeying the King's command.

Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah return to Hezekiah with their clothes torn (symbol of distress/grief) and tell him what the Rabshakeh said.

Seek the LORD and Pray for the Remnant

Hezekiah tore his own clothes when he heard it, put sackcloth on himself (uncomfortable clothes for grieving) and went into the temple (likely the temple grounds).

Hezekiah sent a message to Isaiah. "Today is a day of trouble, rebuke, and blasphemy."

"children have come to birth" (We are doing well in Judah), "but there is no strength to bring them forth" (We are unable to defend ourselves against this great threat)

His request for Isaiah: Lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left!

Israel in Solomon's day might have been able to stand up to Assyria, but not now. Judah is a much smaller kingdom than all of Israel was.

Isaiah replies not to fear the words Hezekiah has heard. They were blasphemy to the LORD.

The promise that Hezekiah trusted: "I will send a spirit upon him... he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land... I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."

A new message sent from Sennacherib.

More threats toward Hezekiah himself. Do not trust in the LORD! Look at all the nations we have conquered. There is no escape for you!

Hezekiah takes the letter, goes up to the temple (likely temple grounds), and spreads it before the LORD.

His prayer:

-Recognition of the LORD's place

-Begging him to incline His ear and hear, open His eyes and see.

-Recognition that what Sennacherib is saying about Assyria is true, but also the recognition that the gods they serve were not gods, but the work of men's hands.

-Because of this, he begs salvation from the hand of Assyria. NOT for Hezekiah's sake, but that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that He is the LORD, Him alone.

A powerful prayer!

He Will Protect the Remnant

God's reply to Hezekiah concerning Sennacherib

-The children of Israel are laughing at you!

-You think you have only come against Judah; in reality you have raised your voice, lifted up your eyes against the Holy One of Israel!

-You have trusted in your own might for your victories.

-Did you not know that I created all that you have conquered? From ancient times I formed it! Your victories are by my design. This is why the Israelites had little power, and were like blighted grain before you.

-I know where you live. I know your lifestyle. I know your anger against Me.

-Because you have flouted your rage and careless self-confidence before me, I will put My HOOK in your NOSE, my BRIDLE in your LIPS, and TURN YOU BACK BY THE WAY YOU CAME!

Back to addressing Hezekiah in v.30.

He then goes back to addressing Hezekiah in v.30. He will continue for the years to come, and eat of the field, sow and reap, etc.

God seems to be telling him that all this is aimed toward a goal with Judah - the Remnant from Mt. Zion. This will happen hundreds of years from now, when the Church begins in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

God comforts Hezekiah.

The King of Assyria would not even touch Jerusalem. Not even build a siege mound (a hill of dirt used to scale walls and invade).

"'He shall not come into this city', says the LORD"

God's attack on Assyria is carried out.

An angel of the LORD kills 185k in the camp of the Assyrians. Likely out of 200,000. Obviously, Sennacherib goes back home. He is struck down by his sons there while worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god.

2 Chron 32:7-8 - Hezekiah's words sum it all up so well. In the Chronicles, he is recorded as saying this before this story we have walked through even begins. He had the right kind of faith to oppose the enemies of the Living God.

Might ask, why are we studying Hezekiah in the OT? Why not spend all our time about Jesus?

Because the way God protected Hezekiah and avenged him and Jerusalem for His name's sake and for David's sake... is the same way He protects us in the Kingdom of Christ.

Eph 6:10-18 - We fight against very real spiritual forces of darkness. Protection is only possible if we put on the armor.