2 Kings 19
Bible Passage: 2 Kings 19
Yesterday we had read about how Hezekiah relied on God and did what was right in God’s eyes. His resoluteness in following God is further challenged in today’s passage when the king of Assyria continued in his taunts and threats against the kingdom of Judah.
How Do We Respond In A Crisis? (vv. 1-13)
When Hezekiah heard the report of the Assyrian’s demand for the surrender of Judah (see 2 Kings 18:31-32), he was filled with grief. Tearing his clothes and donning sackcloth, he went with a heavy heart to the temple of God to pour out his soul before God.
He wanted to know what the will of God was in this crisis. He did not want to act on his own.
And he did not want to do be the only one in his kingdom seeking God’s will.
He got all his leading officials and priests (all dressed in sackcloth) to meet Isaiah so that he might hear the word of God through His prophet.
In briefing Isaiah on the emergency, the king’s delegation also explained Hezekiah’s deep concern. This was….
- “a day of distress” filled with anguish of heart for every true Israelite;
- “a day of rebuke” – Hezekiah was wondering if God was chastising His people
- “a day of disgrace” – Hezekiah was worried that perhaps now God was about to reject and cast off His people completely (cf. Deut 32:15-38; Jer 14:12)
How do you respond in a crisis? What would you do when faced with a situation against insurmountable odds and seemingly no way out?
Let’s learn from Hezekiah.
He responded by worshiping God. He responded in repentance. He responded with prayer (see also vv. 14-19). He also enlisted others to pray and was open to God’s guidance through them.
Is this our typical response?
Only The Lord (vv. 14-19)
In 2 Kings 19:14-19, we read about Hezekiah’s action of spreadhing out the letter before God in the temple. This was a simple action of faith… very much like a child bringing a broken toy to a father for repair, here was Hezekiah laying out the issues before God for God’s resolution.
The Lod was and is the only true God.
He is the One who controls the destinies of all nations. He is the Creator and Consummator of all things.
Only the Lord will do in this case.
Hezekiah pleaded with God to take notic of Sennacherib’s blasphemy. His prayer, like that of Daniel’s (Dan 9:17-19), was concerned most of all with God’s reputation.
Sometimes when something bad happens, for example a serious illness… your family members or friends may mock at the God you believe in and call for you to give up your faith. They may question the power of God and even make disparaging remarks about Him.
When crisis happens, and when we are in troubled times, do we focus on God and see how He is being affected in it all?
You can always tell it to Jesus. And let Him handle things.
God Answers (vv. 20-37)
God’s answer was not long in coming. Isaiah sent a message from God to Hezekiah, assuring him that his prayer has been heard. The major portion of the message is divided into three poetic sections:
- a reply to Sennacherib regarding his misguided boasting (vv. 21-28);
- a sign for Hezekiah that God would deal with Sennacherib and deliver His people (vv. 29-31)
- a prophetic declaration for all that Sennacherib wouldn’t even begin the battle of Jerusalem, let alone conquer the city (vv. 32-34).
It is not evident from this chapter but history shows that Sennacherib would fight another five campaigns after this but he would never return to Judah.
Some 20 years later, two of Sennacherib’s son assasinated him and another son succeeded him as king. The last vestige of the divine prophecy to Hezekiah finally stood complete (cf. vv. 7, 37).
God’s program may seem to tarry (cf. 2 Peter 3:3-9), but it will be accomplished.
When have you been impatient for God to act? Does it help for you to recognize that time as we know it is only His concession to our human needs?
The lesson of the story of Hezekiah in yesterday’s and today’s passage is clear. Tell me what you have learned 🙂
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PS
2 Kings 19:35 And it came to pass on a certain niht that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of Assyrians 185,000; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses–all dead.
The enemy was eliminated by the LORD in one night.
Did it mean that the Israelites’ life was a bed of roses there after?
No, 2 Kings 19:29 recorded that the sign of the LORD was with the people was that:
– this year they were to eat wild crop grows of itself,
– 2nd year, same as 1st;
– 3rd year they could sow and reap, plant vineyard (ie better food) and eat.
God does not promise a bed of roses.
God promises “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)
What does God require of His people amidst their day-to-day troubles? 2 Kings 19:30 And the remnants who have escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.”
God wants His people to grow even when they are in troubles.
Why? bec His people are not of this world.
Thus when His people grow in troubles, they have victory over their circumstances (like Lazarus in Luke 16:20-22).
Take root downward, root in Christ the Rock.
Bear fruit upward, bring glory to God and benefit to man.
In the midst of day to day troubles, the air testifies of God and His love.
Breath in deeply and entrust in His love.