In the previous chapter (2 Ki 18) after the downfall of Israel, Judah was also taken under siege by Assyria. Rabshakeh, the Assyrian commander ridiculed the soldiers guarding the wall of Jerusalem for their foolish trust in God and urged them to surrender. As soon as this report came to Hezekiah at the beginning of this chapter, the king was greatly disturbed. He put on sackcloth and came into the temple. He quicky sent his messengers to Isaiah the prophet for his counsel and to plea God’s help on their behalf. The word of God came back to Hezekiah through Isaiah that first, Jerusalem would not fall to Assyria. Second, the prophecy that Sennacherib, the Assyrian king would die at the end (v6-7).

When Sennacherib heard that the king of Cush has set out to fight against him as well (v9), he sent another message to Judah . But this time, it was addressed to Hezekiah directly. It was another similar message to mock God and ridiculed Hezekiah for falsely believing that God would deliver him out of the hands of the Assyrians. This threat was not untrue as the northern Israel and the surrounding nations had all been defeated and the Assyria empire had been expanding.

After listening to the message and instead of going to Isaiah as in the previous occasion, Hezekiah now went into the house of God and prayed to God (v14-19). He confessed to God that the threat of Sennacherib was legitimate but he sincerely sought God for His help and intervention. God answers Hezekiah’s prayer through Isaiah in v20-34 with a lengthy and detailed prophecy that rebukes Assyria for mocking God and His people in trusting Him. The prophecy concludes by saying that Jerusalem will not be harmed at all by any forms of attack as God will defend this city for His own sake and the sake of His servant, David (v34).

The next verse marks the turning point of this chapter when the angel of the Lord struck down all 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in the camp. It was recorded that Sennacherib returned home to Assyria. A conspiracy rose against him and he was killed by his own sons in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in v7.

What can we learn from the example of King Hezekiah? In the previous chapter (2 Ki 18:3-7), he was being described as a king who did what was right in the eyes of God like David. He also removed the high places and destroyed worship of Asherah. He held fast to God and the Lord was with him. He trusted in God and there was none like him among all the kings of Judah. He was a king who feared God and drew near to Him when Judah was in imminent threat and danger from the Assyrians. God honored his faith and intervened miraculously by sending His angel to do the battle on his behalf in bringing down the huge army of his enemy. He also punished this king in the end for mocking Him and His people.

Dear brothers and sisters, do we fear God and revere His holy name like Hezekiah? Our God of the universe who created heaven and earth is also our God who saved us by sending Jesus to die on the cross and forgive our sins. Are we cowered by any words of the people in our workplace or school that weakens our faith and make us fearful?

Prayer : Dear God, thank you that Jesus is the Shepherd and Guardian of my soul and that my life is in Your hands. I confess that the insult or ridicule that is hurled at me has made me feel insecure and insignificant. But I claim upon my identity as a child of God - my security and significance are in Christ. No words of man nor any circumstance can sway and change this truth. In Jesus name. Amen.