Hezekiah III

The Assyrian King is Sennacherib (S). He marches with an immense army to confront Hezekiah, who has not paid the tribute as his father had. It is here the weak faith of Hezekiah falters. He pays the tribute (S) demands. He takes some of his own wealth and unfortunately raids the precious metal in the Temple of the Lord to make up the balance. Hezekiah does not know if this will appease (S) so he does what he can humanly do to stave off disaster. He stops a major water supply to hinder (S) and his army. While stopping this water supply, he drills through solid rock to bring the water into Jerusalem so if a siege happens, there will at least be a good water supply in Jerusalem. He also fortifies the walls and bulwarks for protection. To add to Hezekiah’s dilemma he falls extremely sick. The Prophet Isaiah brings a message to him: “You will not recover from this illness. You will die.” (S) sends some negotiators to Jerusalem. I would say they equate our nation’s Secretary of State, Secretary of the Army, and Chief of Staff. I will call them (S3). They come with a plan. First they come within the hearing of the people of Jerusalem and speak loudly in the language the people can understand. Hezekiah has his own team of negotiators. We will call them (H3) who urge (S3) to speak in the Assyrian language. (S3) declines that because they want the people to hear their proposals hoping to discourage and dishearten them. They call out these things: “We will provide you with 2,000 warhorses but you won’t be able to put even that many riders on them.” “You are depending on Egypt to come to your rescue but they are so weak they will do more harm than good.” “You cannot believe Hezekiah. He tells you your God will help you but he has been destroying the worship of your God.” [(S) and (S3) have misunderstood: Hezekiah was destroying idolatry and the idols King Ahaz had erected.] “No other god has been able to stand against us. We have destroyed all of the gods of other nations.” [That was true but it won’t be this time.] Then (S3) gives a letter to (H3) with a list of their demands and the threats they have made. In the meanwhile, Hezekiah has turned his face away from people and poured out his heart in prayer to God. Isaiah had just barely left the palace. God stopped him and gave him new words for Hezekiah. “Hezekiah will recover.” “I will add fifteen years to his life.” “He will be up, on his feet and in three days worship in the Temple.” I will destroy this great Assyrian army. No harm will come to Jerusalem. They will not even shoot an arrow over the wall into the city. (S) will return home in shame and be killed by his sons.” I will give a sign to prove My words.- ‘The shadow will go backwards ten degrees on the sundial.’ Sure enough, a fig-poultice was applied to Hezekiah. He recovered. He took (S)’s letter to the Temple and spread it out before the Lord. God renewed the promises He had made through Isiah. The sundial shadow did indeed go backward. Hezekiah was able to celebrate the goodness of the Lord. God made these promises to bring glory and honor to His own name and because he remembered His promises to King David and the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Hezekiah was able to lead his people in praises to the holy God.

Scriptures to Read

II Kings 18:17-18

II Kings 18:19-21

II Kings 18:22-25

II Kings 18:26-30

II Kings 18:31-35

II Kings 19:1-7

II Kings 19:20-34