As the kingdom of Israel worshiped idols and turned away from God, the kingdom of Judah was watching. They saw everything that was happening in the kingdom of Israel as a result of their idol worship, and what they saw served as a warning to stay faithful to the one true God and Him with their lives.
The book of 2 Kings reveals that the Northern Kingdom of Israel ultimately fell and was captured by the Assyrians because "they refused to listen to the Lord their God and obey Him. Instead, they violated His covenant—all the laws that Moses the Lord's servant had commanded them to obey" (2 Kings 18:7). This captivity was, of course, devastating. The book of 2 Chronicles gives us insight into what was happening in the Southern Kingdom of Judah during this time. Hezekiah was the king at the time. He was a good, God-honoring king. 2 Chronicles 32 reveals that while Hezekiah was king, the Assyrians were trying to invade Jerusalem, part of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and the location of God's temple. The king of Assyria at the time, Sennacherib, "sent letters scorning the Lord, the God of Israel" (verse 17). He wrote, "Just as the gods of all the other nations failed to rescue their people from my power, so the God of Hezekiah will also fail" (verse 17). The writer of 2 Chronicles observes that the king and his officials "talked about the God of Jerusalem as though He were one of the pagan gods, made by human hands" (verse 19). In light of these threats, Hezekiah and Isaiah, one of God's prophets, turned to God (verse 20). They remained confident in God's power and care over them and the Kingdom of Judah. As a result, God "rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from King Sennacherib of Assyria and from all the others who threatened them" (verse 22). Not only did God's power and provision encourage the people of Judah, but it also pointed other nations to Him. "From then on King Hezekiah became highly respected among all the surrounding nations, and many gifts for the Lord arrived at Jerusalem" (verse 23). In a culture defined by idol worship, nations around Judah were sending gifts to the Lord. Only God could do something so powerful.
Make no mistake, friends. When we stay faithful to God in a world that worships many other things as their gods, the world pays attention. The world sees His power on display and cannot help but turn to Him. May we remain faithful to the one, true God, and may God's glory be on display as a result of our faithfulness.
In our Bible study yesterday, you were challenged to acknowledge any idols in your life. These idols are any person or thing taking the place in your life that only God deserves. Today, your challenge is to follow Hezekiah's example and turn to God instead of the idols you have made in your life. Tell Him that you refuse to worship anyone or anything but Him. He is the only One worthy of our attention and affection.
1After Hezekiah had faithfully carried out this work, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified towns, giving orders for his army to break through their walls. 2 When Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib also intended to attack Jerusalem, 3 he consulted with his officials and military advisers, and they decided to stop the flow of the springs outside the city. 4 They organized a huge work crew to stop the flow of the springs, cutting off the brook that ran through the fields. For they said, “Why should the kings of Assyria come here and find plenty of water?”
5 Then Hezekiah worked hard at repairing all the broken sections of the wall, erecting towers, and constructing a second wall outside the first. He also reinforced the supporting terraces in the City of David and manufactured large numbers of weapons and shields. 6 He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: 7 “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! 8 He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.
Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
9 While King Sennacherib of Assyria was still besieging the town of Lachish, he sent his officers to Jerusalem with this message for Hezekiah and all the people in the city:
10 “This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: What are you trusting in that makes you think you can survive my siege of Jerusalem? 11 Hezekiah has said, ‘The Lord our God will rescue us from the king of Assyria.’ Surely Hezekiah is misleading you, sentencing you to death by famine and thirst! 12 Don’t you realize that Hezekiah is the very person who destroyed all the Lord’s shrines and altars? He commanded Judah and Jerusalem to worship only at the altar at the Temple and to offer sacrifices on it alone.
13 “Surely you must realize what I and the other kings of Assyria before me have done to all the people of the earth! Were any of the gods of those nations able to rescue their people from my power? 14 Which of their gods was able to rescue its people from the destructive power of my predecessors? What makes you think your God can rescue you from me? 15 Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you! Don’t let him fool you like this! I say it again—no god of any nation or kingdom has ever yet been able to rescue his people from me or my ancestors. How much less will your God rescue you from my power!”
16 And Sennacherib’s officers further mocked the Lord God and his servant Hezekiah, heaping insult upon insult. 17 The king also sent letters scorning the Lord, the God of Israel. He wrote, “Just as the gods of all the other nations failed to rescue their people from my power, so the God of Hezekiah will also fail.” 18 The Assyrian officials who brought the letters shouted this in Hebrew to the people gathered on the walls of the city, trying to terrify them so it would be easier to capture the city. 19 These officers talked about the God of Jerusalem as though he were one of the pagan gods, made by human hands.
20 Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with a sword.
22 That is how the Lord rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from King Sennacherib of Assyria and from all the others who threatened them. So there was peace throughout the land. 23 From then on King Hezekiah became highly respected among all the surrounding nations, and many gifts for the Lord arrived at Jerusalem, with valuable presents for King Hezekiah, too.
