Isaiah 37:1-20

The Rabshakeh has sought to intimidate God’s people.  He has a strong case since his army has, in fact, destroyed a lot of nations who trusted in their gods.  He says: their gods could not stand up to me and neither will your god!  When Israel was about to enter the land, Moses taught them a song (Deut. 32).  This song would remind them of their God and warn them not to turn to idols.  In that song is this line: For their rock is not like our Rock (Dt. 32:31).  Now, in the face of the powerful Assyrian, that was all put to the test.  Was Israel’s Rock any different than the rocks of cities and nations that could not stand up to Assyria?  What should Hezekiah do in the face of this intimidation?

Hezekiah did what a righteous king always did.  He inquired of God!  First, he sent his delegation to the prophet, Isaiah (37:1-7).  Isaiah gave them assurance from God that there would be an answer.  The answer is that 1) God would sent a spirit upon the king of Assyria; 2) the king of Assyria would hear a rumor and return to his own land; and 3) there God would cause him to die by the sword.

Can you imagine Hezekiah’s thoughts when, shortly thereafter, word was that the Assyrians were packing up to leave.  But lest Hezekiah and Jerusalem think this was a sign of weakness the Rabshakeh engaged in another round of intimidation through a letter sent to Hezekiah.  Don’t think I won’t be back.  Your time is coming.  Your god will not be able to deliver you!

Hezekiah did such a wonderful thing at this point.  He had gone to the prophet; now he came directly to God, the One who made him king to be God’s ruler over God’s people.  He brought with him the letter he had received and spread it out before God.  And he prayed to God in the most simple and powerful prayer.

·        He came to God properly, not only with respect and honor but by identifying God according to the situation.  He is Israel’s God who dwells between the cherubim (the angels at each end of the Ark of the Covenant), the God over all the nations, the Creator of heaven and earth.  He is not simply a city or national or regional god.

·        He presents the problem plainly, opening up his heart to God. 

·        And he makes request for deliverance for the most correct reason there can be: so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD!

Tomorrow we will consider God’s answer.  For now let us follow up the question about confidence from yesterday with the question of how we express that confidence.  When problems come do you immediately go to work on your own answer?  Or do you inquire of God?  When the problems increase in strength do you enter God’s throne room where you can spread the issue out before Him and then seek His glory and honor?  Your Rock is not like their rock.  But He gives more grace.  Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).