Prepared to Stand (Isaiah 36:1-22)
Hezekiah's Reforms (2 Chronicles 29-32)
Hezekiah's first 14 years were very productive/fruitful.
Not many 25 year old men take life as seriously as Hezekiah did. This was not because he was a career minded young man.
Instead, he was a man consumed with reforming a nation that had gone a long way down a path that led away from and dishonored God.
High places had been in the land since the days of Solomon. Hezekiah's own father was instrumental in bringing all sorts of idols and alters into the temple.
His first command as a king was to the priest: Consecrate yourselves and then the temple.
The temple had been so defiled, it took 16 days to remove all the items that were not supposed to be their.
He reinstated the daily sacrifices. He invited all Israel to celebrate the Passover – something that hadn't been done since the time of Solomon.
His reforms resulted in reinstating the music that God had prescribed through Nathan and David.
And the high places all over the land were removed so that sacrifices were only made to God by Aaron's descendants at the temple in Jerusalem.
Hezekiah was instrumental in preparing the people of Jerusalem and Judah to return YHWH, the covenant God of Israel.
As Christians, there are times when we need to stop and reassess the things that we have allowed to interfere with true devotion to God.
Clearing out the things that hinder a close relationship with God is essential for a victorious (1 John 1:1-5) Christian life.
Sennacherib's Taunt, Part 1 (36:4-12)
Somehow the Assyrian's sensed or were aware of some degree of confidence among the remnant in Jerusalem.
And based upon several prophecies we've seen this year, Judah had heard that Assyria would get as far as the outer walls but that they would not enter the city.
But also, this people had a very faithless track record (Judah did). That is, up until the reforms that God brought through Hezekiah.
He uses a 3-fold approach to point out Jerusalem's helplessness to combat Assyria:
Verse 5 – strategy and military strength – empty words. They didn't have the military to defeat Assyria.
Verse 6 – depending on Egypt was futile – they probably want to take you themselves.
Verse 7 – depending on the LORD your God. He addresses the high places that Hezekiah tore down.
These were some pretty compelling arguments by this field commander. And to make things worse, he adds to the taunt to emphasis his point.
Verse 8 – I will give 2000 horse if you have that many men. There is not army.
Verse 9 – you are depending on Egypt for chariots and horses but even the least of our commanders could take you on.
Verse 10 – I am on a mission from God. He has given me this task.
To make matters worse, this commander was not being discrete about his comments. The intent here was to cause fear and dissent among the people and soldiers.
He chose to speak in Hebrew and refused to use Aramaic. He was using psychological warfare and loving it.
His final words call for a mutiny on the part of the people of Jerusalem:
In verses 13-20, he basically pits Sennacherib against Hezekiah. He promises food, shelter, and your own land if they would only surrender to him.
He claims that they are being misled by Hezekiah who is claiming the Lord will deliver.
He points out all the nations around whose gods were unable to save them.
Note: A close walk with God is no guarantee of smooth sailing in life. In fact, opposition is often an indication of being in God's will.
The Response From Jerusalem (36:21-22)
Sometimes the best response to a taunt is silence.
Silence
This guy had spoken a lot of compelling things, many of them true.
From a purely human perspective, it was futile to believe that Jerusalem would not fall to Assyria. All the other fortified cities of Judah had fallen. It was just a matter of time before Jerusalem fell as well.
They had nothing to repel the onslaught. And Assyria had all the time in the world. They could siege the city for years and starve them out (eluded to in verse 12).
So there really were no word that could do justice in this situation. And so they remained silent.
This was an unprecedented thing. As one of our leaders brought up on Saturday, there was hardly ever a time throughout Scripture where we don't see moaning and complaining by someone during a difficult situation.
And many times when the situation isn't as seemingly hopeless as this one.
But these people had been through 14 years of returning to God.
They had been spending this time repenting of sin. Prayer and worship. Returning to the covenant God had made with them.
And they were more willing to take God's promises seriously.
They had heard the prophecies of the coming invasion and they knew the reason it was coming. It was because they had rebelled against God.
It was not undeserved. But they also saw that God was faithful to His word – his promise not to bring down Jerusalem, despite appearances, was going to come true because God said it would.
Humility
These representatives of the king, verse 22, returned to the king with their clothes torn.
This tearing of clothing was a way of showing grief. They were not too high or dignified to rend their garments and humble themselves at this time.
And rather than talk among themselves or even entertain their own ideas and doubts, they obediently brought word back to Hezekiah.
Principle: God equips the righteous to withstand the assaults of the wicked.
Had Hezekiah's reforms not taken place, what might the results of this interchange been?
→ Fight against Assyria and go out in a blaze of glory
→ Surrender and take the 'good' land promised by Sennacherib
→ Certainly would not have discerned the false claims of Assyria's commander
→ Certainly would not have remained silent and rested in the assurance that God was with them
Applications:
What circumstance is God allowing in your life to test your faith? How are you responding to that test?
How has your relationship with God and His word prepared you for the challenges you face today?
How are you being equipped for the challenges that will inevitably come?
Persistent in Prayer (Isaiah 37:1-38))
Sometimes the most difficult thing to do is not to do but to depend. When faced with a challenging situation, as men, we like to address the problem head on. Waiting is not our strong suit. Especially when we feel as though we might be able to arrive at some type of solution.
But sometimes, there are just no solutions to arrive at. Sometimes God brings us to that place where we have nothing to contribute to the solution. Where we are faced with the need to turn to the only one who has any way of addressing the issue at hand.
What often is the last resort, prayer, is actually the most active and effective action you and I can ever take. Too often I have found myself at the end of myself finally getting serious about prayer.
As we will see in chapter 37, that is the first thing Hezekiah does – prays.
Hezekiah Prays (37:1-4)
The first thing he does is goes into the temple.
Interestingly, had he not had brought about all the reforms, he would not be able to do this.
His father Ahaz was never seen going to the temple to seek the Lord.
At the same time, he sends his officials to have Isaiah pray for the remnant. He doesn't just see this as between himself and God, but this is something in which he employs the prayers of others.
And notice how he brings his request. Verses 3-4 show that Hezekiah sees beyond his present dilemma and sees this issue being about the glory of God and His reputation.
He knows what God has said regarding His protection, but He also doesn't just sit idly by.
He doesn't presume on the grace of God. He doesn't somehow think that he's earned God's favor therefore God must do what I need him to do.
There is a balance of faith leading to action in prayer and ultimately prayer that aligns with the will of God and for the glory of God. There is an expectancy that God will answer but always according to His will and His timing.
God's Answer (37:5-7)
God had an answer before the messengers even asked Isaiah to pray.
God's answer was to affirm that He in fact had heard the blaspheme and that He was going to bring judgment (and justice) on Sennacherib.
The Letter (37:9-13)
Sennacherib receives word that Egypt is on the move.
It seems that he would like to gain a quick surrender so he presses his point, now addressing Hezekiah in a letter.
In verse 10, it seems that Sennacherib had heard about God's prophecy that Jerusalem would not be taken.
So he hits that point first. Don't let your god deceive you. As if he can really save you.
And to back up his statement, he puts forth the many examples of nations just like Judah who thought their gods would save them.
But none did. All fell. And he knew that Hezekiah was aware of that fact.
He completely misunderstands the nature of the God Hezekiah is depending upon. He believes Hezekiah's god is made by man rather than being the God who has made man.
The enemy always wants us to doubt God – to doubt His goodness, His faithfulness – to question His perfect character.
Hezekiah Prays, Again (37:14-20)
Hezekiah enters the temple one more time, carrying the letter this time.
Notice the way he approaches God.
Lays out the letter before him – symbolic of laying out what is concerning him
But rather than beginning with the problem at hand, he starts with the solution – God. He begins by praising God for who He is, acknowledging the Almighty God. The true God. Israel's God. The One between the Cherubim. The Sovereign Lord over all nations. (Verse 16)
His petition is for God to hear what Sennacherib has said against God. It is God's honor that is at the forefront of his petition. (Verse 17)
Then finally he addresses the evidence sited by Sennacherib: other kingdoms and other gods. But now, after acknowledging God for who He is, he is in a position to rightly identify the fallacious arguments Sennacherib made and ask God, according to His will, for deliverance. (Verses 18-20)
What an amazing pray and what a great model to follow.
I can't tell you how many times I have gone straight to God with a problem and neglected recognition of His attributes.
Attributes that often put the problem at hand in a correct perspective.
How does God answer this prayer?
God's Answer (37:21-38)
We don't have time to read this entire passage, but a brief look at the details and how they address the prayer of Hezekiah:
Addressing Sennacherib (22-29)
37:22-25 – God points out that it is YHWH, the Holy One of Israel that Sennacherib is blaspheming. And He goes on to point out the pride of this king in thinking that it was his own power and might that brought about all the victories he had experience.
37:26-27 – God points out Sennacherib's incomplete understanding and God's omniscience and omnipotence. Long ago God had ordained and planned and then brought to pass the very thing that Assyria was accomplishing. Sennacherib thought he was serving his own purposes but neglected to recognize that he is an instrument in the hand of Sovereign God.
A Sign for Hezekiah (30-32)
God graciously provides a sign to Hezekiah which includes provision of food.
Since Assyria is occupying the land, food was scarce. But God was going to take care of that at the same time he was taking care of justice.
God Will Defend Jerusalem (33-35)
Not enter the city.
Not shoot an arrow into it.
Go back the way he came.
God was doing this for the sake of David his servant.
This too would include his promise to David regarding his coming descendant who would reign forever.
God Executes Justice (37:36-38)
God carries out justice against Assyria which will serve to fulfill His promise to Hezekiah as well as His own word through the prophet Isaiah.
186K soldier die in the night.
Sennacherib withdraws back to Nineveh.
Sennacherib is executed by two of his sons.
Principle: God works through the prayers of His people to accomplish His divine purpose.
Applications:
What are your prayers more centered on, your circumstances or God's ability to answer them?
How have you seen God work through prayer in your life, even when the answer was not what you expected?
Guard Against Pride (Isaiah 38:1-39:8)
This last division deals with a disease or boil that Hezekiah has. And it is a life-threatening ailment. This is still the 14th year of his reign and what a year it was!
Ill To the Point of Death (38:1-3)
Hezekiah is 39 years old and now he discovers he is going to die.
That's pretty young, especially for a guy who had been such a radical reformer. You can understand God taking out a wicked king early, but one that is so devoted to pursuing God?
It kind of seems that may have been Hezekiah's attitude too.
He cries bitterly, (2 Chronicles), and prayer to God recounting his faithful walk and obedience.
15 More Years (38:4-8)
Once again, God sends word through Isaiah to Hezekiah.
His message is that he has 15 more years to live.
And that God would deliver him and the city from Assyria.
So this event must have occurred before 37:21 and following.
If you want a bit more detail on the events surrounding this healing, see 2 Chronicles.
And so the Lord gives him another sign. Actually, the Lord gave him an option of how the sign would unfold.
Either the shadow moves forward or backward ten steps. And Hezekiah selected the backwards option.
He got his sign and his healing and 15 more years.
A Song of Praise (38:9-22)
The remainder of the chapter is pretty much a song of praise highlighting the way God brought him from the verge death back to life.
The song is filled with a humble attitude and a grateful heart.
Again, 2 Chronicles give detail that shows he wasn't so humble immediately after his healing but was instead proud. But God humbled him.
An Unwise Choice (39:1-8)
Chapter 39 details the visit of some envoys from Babylon. They came bearing gifts to show their concern for his illness and recovery.
Probably a diplomatic move to establish alliances, especially since they had a common enemy in Assyria.
Hezekiah was so delighted to see them that he gave them the grant tour of everything he owned.
Almost as if he was proud of all his possessions to the point of bragging.
Whatever the motive was, however, it was not a wise move. Because Isaiah comes and is not too pleased with him.
He points out that there is a day coming when all these treasures will be carried off to Babylon.
And even some of your descendants with be servants and eunuchs in the Babylonian king's palace.
His response is less than remorseful – “He said that the word of the Lord is good.” But he was thinking, at least it won't happen when I'm around.
I don't want to knock Hezekiah, but it is easy to fall prey to such thinking.
Many have run a good race (so to speak) and then later in life become lax. Rest on past victories. And become complacent about things they used to be passionate about.
That is a danger that you and I must guard against. We must persevere to the end. Remain faithful followers of our Lord even (and especially) when we think we've contributed our fair share.
That kind of thinking can lead to pride and a certain fall.
Principle: Past performance is no protection against future folly.
One of the best safeguards against pride is a grateful heart to God. Everything I have and am able to do comes from and belongs to God.
Applications:
What answered prayers have you yet to thank God for?
Who have you shared an answered prayer with lately?
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