Isaiah 36-39

God would use Assyria to bring judgment upon Israel and Judah for their disobedience

and idolatry (7:17-25; 8:1-22; 10:28-32; 17:12-14).

These judgments were to encourage repentance and purification of the remnant

(27:7-9).

But God also promised, through Isaiah, that Assyria would be defeated when Judah

repented (e.g. 10:1-34; 14:24-27; 17:12-14; 31:8,9; 33).

v. 4-10

What is this confidence you have?

On whom do you rely?

v. 13-20

Destroy a nation’s faith in their ruler, their God, and then themselves,

and there is not much left. This is Rabshakeh’s objective” (Hailey).

v. 16 -17 make peace with me (false hope)

v. 18-20 what’s the difference between your God and all the other God’s

VICTORY THROUGH FAITH

Prayer

fro the remnant

defend your honor God

v. 6-7

Sennacherib will return home and die (prophecy)

14. Hezekiah receives the letter, takes it into the temple, and lays his case before God.

15-20. His prayer:

a. Praises God as creator of the universe and ruler of kingdoms.

b. Pleads with God to notice Sennacherib’s reproach of the living God.

c. Recognizes Assyria’s victories over other nations and their gods of wood and

stone, which in reality were not gods,

“Shall Jehovah, the living and all-powerful God, be numbered among such

nonentities? The contest is clearly between Jehovah and the heathen deities”

(Hailey).

d. Pleads with God to save them so all may know that He is the only true God

(Deut 32:39; Neh 9:6; Psa 46:10; 83:18; Dan 9:18, 19).

21-25. Notice the tremendous power of prayer (cf. Psa 34:15; Jas 5:16; 1 Jn 3:22;

5:14).

37:26-29 God is responsible for their victories

God reveals

His “all-seeing eye” (Job 26:6; Psa 33:13,14; 90:8; Prov 15:11; Jer 16:17).

God promises that Sennacherib will not enter Jerusalem. Rather, he will return the

same way he will come (34). God will defend Jerusalem for two reasons:

a. To uphold His honor and integrity which had been blasphemed by Sennacherib

and

b. For His servant David’s sake ( i.e. because of His promises to David. Cf.

2 Sam 7:12 ff).

The Angel

God sent the angel of the Lord to destroy them in one night. This was prophesied in

17:12-14; Ex 12:12-23; 2 Sam 24:1-16.

HEZEKIAH’S SICKNESS AND PRAYER...........................................................38:1-8

1-3. Isaiah gives God’s message to a dying Hezekiah—set your house in order! Cf.

Gen 3:19; Eccl 3:20; 12:7; Heb 9:27.

Hezekiah’s response—pray to the Lord (cf. 37:4). He, like Nehemiah, was a great

man of prayer. Cf. 1:4ff; 2:4; 4:4; 6:14.

4-8. God’s response given to Isaiah. He has heard Hezekiah’s prayer, seen his tears,

and will add fifteen years to his life. What a comfort to know God listens! He promises

safety for Hezekiah and Jerusalem from Assyria.

Hezekiah had asked God for a sign to confirm His promise

CH. 39

Hezekiah did not seek God’s advice concerning these visitors, thus God left him

alone and on his own to try him (2 Chron 32:31). In a moment of pride he “showed

off” by allowing the men to see all the treasures (Cf. 1 Jn 2:16).

Isaiah gives God’s word to Hezekiah. “Everything” you have will be taken to Babylon

and your descendants will be servants in Babylon (cf. 2 Chron 33:11; 2 Kgs 24:

12-16; Dan 1:3-6). Verse 8 reveals Hezekiah’s calm and trusting acceptance of the

will of God (Lk 22:42).