King Sennacherib of Assyria Invades Judah
August 24, 2020
Commentary
King Hezekiah had faithfully obeyed the Lord’s instructions. At this point King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah (v. 1). He attacked the fortified cities with the goal of capturing all of them. When Hezekiah heard that Sennacherib was planning to sack Jerusalem (v. 2), he and his leaders worked out a plan to cut off the supply of water outside the city so the Assyrians would have no water when they came to attack (vv. 3-4). Hezekiah’s workers repaired the broken sections of the city wall and the landfill on the east side was strengthened (v. 5). He gave orders to make weapons and shields as well as appointing army commanders over the troops (v. 6).
Then he gathered the troops together and said, “Be brave and confident” (v. 7). There is no reason to be afraid of Sennacherib’s army because we are more powerful and the Lord fights on our side (v. 8). These words encouraged the army of Judah. Sennacherib sent a message (v. 9) saying, “I have Jerusalem surrounded; do you think you can survive (v. 10)? Your King is telling you the Lord will save you, but he is lying (v. 11). Didn’t he tell you to worship at one place (v. 12)? You have heard what we have done to other nations (v. 13) and their gods have not been able to defend them. Your God can’t do any better (vv. 14-15).” The Assyrian officials said terrible things about the Lord God and Hezekiah (v. 16). Sennacherib’s letter made fun of the Lord (v. 17). All of this was said in Hebrew so everyone would understand and be terrified (v. 18). The officials said the Lord God was like an idol (v. 19). Hezekiah begged the Lord for help (v. 20) and an angel killed everyone in the Assyrian camp (v. 21). The Lord rescued Hezekiah (v. 22) and every nation respected him (v. 23).
Application
I want to take every opportunity to share the Gospel with people I’m not confident will be in heaven.
2 Chronicles 32:1– 23 (NET)
1 After these faithful deeds were accomplished, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. He besieged the fortified cities, intending to seize them. 2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had invaded and intended to attack Jerusalem, 3 he consulted with his advisers and military officers about stopping up the springs outside the city, and they supported him. 4 A large number of people gathered together and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the district. They reasoned, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” 5 Hezekiah energetically rebuilt every broken wall. He erected towers and an outer wall and fortified the terrace of the City of David. He made many weapons and shields.
6 He appointed military officers over the army and assembled them in the square at the city gate. He encouraged them, saying, 7 “Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic because of the king of Assyria and this huge army that is with him. We have with us one who is stronger than those who are with him. 8 He has with him mere human strength, but the Lord our God is with us to help us and fight our battles!” The army was encouraged by the words of King Hezekiah of Judah.
9 Afterward King Sennacherib of Assyria, while attacking Lachish with all his military might, sent his messengers to Jerusalem. The message was for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem. It read: 10 “This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: ‘Why are you so confident that you remain in Jerusalem while it is under siege? 11 Hezekiah says, “The Lord our God will rescue us from the power of the king of Assyria.” But he is misleading you, and you will die of hunger and thirst! 12 Hezekiah is the one who eliminated the Lord’s high places and altars and then told Judah and Jerusalem, “At one altar you must worship and offer sacrifices.” 13 Are you not aware of what I and my predecessors have done to all the nations of the surrounding lands? Have the gods of the surrounding lands actually been able to rescue their lands from my power? 14 Who among all the gods of these nations whom my predecessors annihilated was able to rescue his people from my power, that your God would be able to rescue you from my power? 15 Now don’t let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you like this. Don’t believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to rescue his people from my power or the power of my predecessors. So how can your gods rescue you from my power?’”
16 Sennacherib’s servants further insulted the Lord God and his servant Hezekiah. 17 He wrote letters mocking the Lord God of Israel and insulting him with these words: “The gods of the surrounding nations could not rescue their people from my power. Neither can Hezekiah’s god rescue his people from my power.” 18 They called out loudly in the Judahite dialect to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, trying to scare and terrify them so they could seize the city. 19 They talked about the God of Jerusalem as if he were one of the man-made gods of the nations of the earth.
20 King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed about this and cried out to heaven. 21 The Lord sent a messenger and he wiped out all the soldiers, princes, and officers in the army of the king of Assyria. So Sennacherib returned home humiliated. When he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword. 22 The Lord delivered Hezekiah and the residents of Jerusalem from the power of King Sennacherib of Assyria and from all the other nations. He made them secure on every side. 23 Many were bringing presents to the Lord in Jerusalem and precious gifts to King Hezekiah of Judah. From that time on he was respected by all the nations.