A second account of Hezekiah’s victory over the Assyrian king Sennacherib. These psalms reflect our emotion when in trouble, and when we are delivered
We have read about Hezekiah here in 2 Kings, in Isaiah and in 2 Chronicles. That’s because his story is so important to the overall story line that God is showing us through Israel’s history.
By now, having read the story twice before, we don’t need to recap what happened. Although, I notice that this passage leaves out some details….The king of Israel north was “picking on” Hezekiah, and had recruited the Syrian king to help him. Between the two of them they were making life miserable for Israel south, so Hezekiah calls up “the enemy of his enemy”….The king of Assyria. Yes, the very king that would one day threaten his own kingdom. Hezekiah, along with all the nations around him had been paying tribute to Assyria, to avoid a war with them. Because of that, Hezekiah felt that Assyria would feel obligated to come to his aid. They did, and soundly defeated Israel north (Samaria) in battle. The people were all exported to other lands where they would be less likely to consolidate and rebel. There’s something sad about knowing that the two parts of David’s kingdom were so angry with each other that they eventually destroyed one another.
Things quieted down for a while after Israel north was defeated…for about 10 years. At about that time Hezekiah had become fairly well established and had acquired some wealth, etc. He decided to quit paying tribute to Sennacherib, and that’s why Sennacherib mobilized his army and traveled down to Jerusalem. Before Hezekiah consults the Lord (at least I don’t think God told him to do this) he takes all the gold and silver from the temple, even stripping it off the doors and walls. These are the ornate decorations that Solomon had made, all likely melted down and destroyed by Assyria. So, Sennacherib had demanded a large payment to withdraw, and then went back on his word and didn’t withdraw. He had in mind to crush the city so that it would never rebel again.
The point of this whole retelling several times seems to help me understand our spiritual battle. When we try to do it on our own, we make foolish mistakes that are very costly. We end up squandering valuable resources and giving up possessions that we don’t have to. It’s good to remind ourselves at this point that the only reason we are in this position is because we have wandered away from God’s will for us in some way. Of course in Israel’s case, they were worshipping false gods, cheating their neighbors, etc.
I am also reminded that the devil lies. He cannot be trusted, and any payments or bribes that are given to him hoping that he will withdraw are simply a waste of money. We sometimes think if we “scratch” our carnal itch just a little it will feel better and go away. But it doesn’t happen like that. You can’t look at a “little bit” of porn and be satisfied. You can’t hold deviant fantasies, take just a few small things without paying, tell “little white lies” without them causing you to want more. The devil is never satisfied. And if he ever tells you “it’s just this once”…he’s lying. If he tells you “you can handle a little bad behavior”…he’s lying.
Third, I am reminded that I am saved only when I humble myself and cry out to God. When I am obedient and trust in God the size of the enemy doesn’t matter. Now, if I am living in disobedience and then say “I will trust in God to protect me” I could be in for real trouble. The problems could be coming from God himself, trying to get me to realize that I am drifting.
As I read today I think about how one decision changes the whole story line. The decision to call upon God led to victory without a shot being fired. The decision to pay the ransom led to the temple being pilfered by the Assyrians. Later in life Hezekiah would make one bad decision that would eventually cost him the kingdom. Saul made a bad decision when offering sacrifices that cost him the kingdom, David made a bad decision when counting the people that nearly got everyone killed.
Thinking of Sennacherib, it was his arrogance that lost him 185,00 men…and later his life. One loud, brash, arrogant statement that was uttered without thought of who had sent him in the first place.
One defiant decision, one arrogant statement, one heart that isn’t humble. That’s all it takes to unravel a kingdom. I suppose the very same is true for a church.
“Lord, I am not missing the thought you have for me today. Keep me humble as I consider the many ways in which you are blessing this congregation. May all the victories be your victories. May all the praise and glory be yours, and may I and other leaders like me never take credit for what you are doing. I know where our success comes from, it’s from You, and Your hand of favor upon us. Now Lord, teach us to be more like You, allow us to see you even more clearly than we already do. Fill each of us with your knowledge and Your presence, so that we will never drift away, or make foolish decisions.”
Enjoy the Psalms from today’s reading. They both celebrate God’s favor and reflect the cry of a repentant heart when God has placed them in difficult times. Hard times can be good for us when it leads us to this sort of confession.
Faithfully,
PR