By Jay T. Robertson, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
GOD HEARS
2 Kings 19:10–19, 32–34
The Taunt (10–13)
King Hezekiah’s nation of Judah was under attack by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who had invaded Judah and captured many of its cities (2 Kings 18:13–16). He then had sent his top officials and a massive army to taunt Hezekiah’s three representatives in Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:17–37). In the lesson this week, we will focus on the third confrontation between Sennacherib and Hezekiah.
Sennacherib’s messengers attacked Hezekiah’s faith by casting doubt on the character of God. In the second confrontation, Sennacherib’s royal spokesman mocked Hezekiah for trusting in his God. He insisted Hezekiah had no dependable source of help from the Egyptians or even from God Himself.
In the third confrontation, Sennacherib’s messengers challenged Hezekiah not to let his God deceive him into thinking God would deliver him from the Assyrians. Recent history appeared to be on the side of the Assyrians. Sennacherib’s messengers taunted Hezekiah by reciting how the Assyrians had left a trail of defeated kings and their defeated gods with them. The path of destruction they described was the route from Assyria to Jerusalem. Each conquest moved the Assyrian army closer and closer to Jerusalem.
The Prayer (14–19)
Thankfully, Hezekiah did not believe the lies of the enemy. He did not surrender. He trusted in the Lord and cried out to Him in prayer. His view of the Lord was different from that of the pagan king. Hezekiah took the letter from the Assyrian messengers’ hands, read it for himself and then went up to the Lord’s temple and spread it out before God. Earlier, Hezekiah had asked Isaiah to pray about the impending attack, but now the king himself prayed to the Lord.
Hezekiah’s prayer consisted of three parts. First, Hezekiah recognized the Lord’s greatness. He began with adoration of God. The Lord was the God not only of Israel but also of all the kingdoms of the earth. He alone was the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Since the Lord was the Creator and ruler of all nations, Hezekiah could hope for deliverance in this seemingly impossible situation.
Second, Hezekiah explained his problem to the Lord. He expressed his sense of urgency. He was realistic about the situation. He acknowledged the Assyrians’ power and did not minimize their reign of terror or the history of their conquests. The major feature of Hezekiah’s prayer, however, was his passion for God’s glory and honor. Sennacherib had dared to insult the living God. More was at stake than simply the peace and security of Jerusalem. The very honor of God was on the line. The Lord delights in prayer that is more concerned with His glory than with our peace, prosperity or pleasure.
Third, Hezekiah asked directly for the Lord’s help against the Assyrians. Even in his petition, Hezekiah based his request on a concern for God’s glory, for he wanted God to be worshipped as the One True God. He cried out for God to demonstrate His sovereign power by defeating the Assyrians, and then all the kingdoms of the earth would know the Lord alone was God. Hezekiah wanted freedom for his people, but he never lost sight of Israel’s responsibility to bring recognition and glory to the Lord.
The Answer (32–34)
God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer through the prophet Isaiah. The Lord had heard Sennacherib’s taunting, mocking and boasting. God promised to put a hook in Sennacherib’s nose and a bit in his mouth (v. 28).
The Lord declared Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem, shoot an arrow there, come against the city with a shield or build a siege ramp against it. Instead, he would return home without ever entering Jerusalem. The angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers that night. The next morning Sennacherib broke camp and returned to Nineveh. One day after he returned home, two of his sons killed him. God will not be mocked and He hears the prayers of His people.
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