2 Kings 19:29-38 – Believing in God

Just as God had given King Ahaz a sign promising His deliverance, here in 2 Kings 19:29-38, He also gave Hezekiah a sign. While the signs given to them were  different, the message was the same. Both promised His deliverance. He assured both the kings that He would deliver them from their oppressors if they put their trust in Him. However, Ahaz scornfully rejected his, while the message given to Hezekiah was embraced by him responsively.

The sign to Hezekiah has been in verses 2 Kings 19:30-32. For two years, though the land had been ruined yet it would produce enough to sustain the people. But in the third year they would cultivate the land, and …sow, reap, plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. The message to Hezekiah concluded with the promise of a bright future for Judah. She would once again experience prosperity. A remnant would be raised from the survivors of Mount Zion. This also assured him of the certainty of his message and that God  Himself would see to its accomplishment.

Turning to the immediate crisis that Hezekiah was experiencing then, the Prophet Isaiah in verses 33-35, prophesied that the king of Assyria would not set foot in Jerusalem to come against it. For by the way he came so he would return home. God, Himself would defend it. He would make it His business to defend Jerusalem for His own name’s sake and the sake of David.

Miraculously, God delivered Judah from the hand of Sennacherib. Dramatically, 2 Kings 19: 35-36 said that the angels of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 Assyrians in their camp. Those who were not slain woke up shockingly in the morning to discover the massive numbers of dead Assyrians. Though the reaction of Sennacherib was not described, he must be utterly devastated and left for his home in Nineveh hastily. Then two of his sons, namely, Adrammelech and Sharezer, assassinated him and then fled to the land of Ararat. He was succeeded by Esarhaddon, another of his sons. Ironically, verse 37 tells us that he was murdered in the house of Nisroch his god, the one whom he believed had helped him to conquer many lands. It was truly pathetic to know that his god could not even protect him in his own temple!  

There are two ways we can live our lives. We can emulate Ahaz, or we can follow the example of Hezekiah. We can try to build our reputation and trust our own inventiveness, or allow God to direct our lives and tell His story through us. But we need to know that living for Him requires that we yield to His will and make needful changes to promote His glory. It calls for a life of obedience, but it will be a worthwhile life. So choose wisely and trust God.