Transition from Assyrian Threat to Babylonian – Isaiah 36-37

Bible Passage:  Isaiah 36-37

The Assyrian invasion was part of God’s discipline to teach His people to trust in Him alone.

Even King Hezekiah had at first put his trust in treaties and treasures (2 Kings 18:13-16), only to learn that the enemy would keep his wealth but not his word.  Judah had negotiated to get help from Egypt, an act of unbelief that Isaiah severely rebuked (Isa 30:1-7; 31:1-3).

God’s great purpose in the life of faith is to build godly character.  Hezekiah and his people needed to learn that faith is living without scheming.

Chapter 36 contains one of the most insolent and blasphemous words found in the Bible.  The Assyrian chief of staff reproached God (37:4, 17, 23-24).  He esteemed the greatness of his king (of Assyria – 36:4, 13).  He wanted the people of Israel to hear these words so as to frighten them (36:11-12).  This was a psychological warfare!

He demeaned their allies – Judah had blundered by trusting Egypt.  He accused Hezekiah of failing by tearing down the altars.  No help was going to come to them.  They were already defeated!

The coup de grace of the chief of staff was that everything Assyria had done was according to the will of the Lord!  How could Judah fight against its own God?

Now Hezekiah and Isaiah told the people to trust in the Lord.  Despite the constant barrage of abuse and big talk from the chief of staff, the king ordered that no one was to reply.

Sometimes we are also faced with challenges to our faith.  We may be questioned, ridiculed or even mocked because of our beliefs.

But in reading today’s passage, I learn that insolence is best answered with silence.  Jerusalem’s deliverance did not depend on negotiating with the enemy but on trusting the Lord.

The key thing here is knowing how to turn to God.

Hezekiah asked Isaiah to pray for the nation.  And the king called out to the Lord for help.

In the building up of our faith, the word of God and prayer go together (Rom 10:17).  That is why Isaiah sent the king a message from the Lord.  His word of encouragement had 3 points:

1. Do not be afraid
2. The Assyrians will depart
3. The “great king” will die in Assyria

The Assyrians sent another threatening letter.  Now Hezekiah took it before the Lord and prayed.

It is worthwhile to take a look at Hezekiah’s prayer (37:15-20).  He affirmed his faith in the one and true living God, and he worshipped Him.  God is the “Lord of Heaven’s armies” (Ps 46:7, 11).  He is the Lord who “made the heavens” (Ps 96:5) and knows what is going on in His creation.

His eyes sees our plight and His ears can hear our pleas (Ps 115).  Hezekiah did not want deliverance merely for his people’s sake but that God alone might be glorified.

God responded with another threefold message of assurance:

1. Jerusalem would not be taken (37:22, 31-35)
2. The Assyrians would depart (37:23-29)
3. The Jews would not starve (37:30)

And it truly happened.

The Assyrian king left Judah a defeated man.  And back in his homeland, he was assassinated by his own sons (thus fullfiling Isaiah’s prophecy) in the temple of his god!  His own god could not even protect him and he dared to even mock the God of Judah.

God hears our prayers when we turn to Him.  The only question is:  do we know how to go to Him?