Hezekiah – Part V
Hezekiah’s trust in God shines brilliantly during one of the darkest moments in Jerusalem’s history. Despite being gravely ill, Hezekiah rises from his sickbed to rally the people, showing true leadership. In 2 Chronicles 32:6-8, Hezekiah gathers the people and speaks to them “comfortably,” urging them to “be strong and courageous.” His words reflect the encouragement Joshua gave the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, and echo Elisha’s calm assurance in the face of a vast enemy army. Hezekiah leans on the examples of faithful men from Israel’s past, knowing that their strength came from the Lord.
This speech isn’t just about inspiring confidence—it’s about redirecting the people’s trust from military power to God’s help. He reminds them that while the Assyrians may have a mighty army, they rely only on “the arm of flesh.” In contrast, Hezekiah assures his people that “with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” It’s a message that centres on divine power over human strength, a reminder that victory does not come from numbers or weapons but from God’s ability to deliver His people.
Hezekiah’s actions and words underscore the vital importance of faith in times of crisis. Though weak in body, his spirit is unwavering, and his trust in God fuels the nation’s courage. The people, in turn, “rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah,” taking comfort in their king’s faith. This scene vividly portrays the power of spiritual leadership and the peace that comes from relying on God’s promises, no matter how formidable the opposition might seem.
Assyria’s Threat and the Rabshakeh’s Taunts
In the face of Assyria’s relentless expansion, the threat against Jerusalem becomes very real as Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sends his chief officer, the Rabshakeh, to deliver a message of intimidation. This envoy, skilled in rhetoric and psychological warfare, stands at the gates of Jerusalem and speaks directly to the people, bypassing Hezekiah’s authority in an attempt to undermine the city’s morale. His goal is not merely military victory but to break the people’s faith in their king and their God.
The Rabshakeh’s strategy is cunning, using manipulation and deceit to shake the people’s trust. He frames his message as one of reason, appealing to the people’s survival instincts by warning them of the futility of trusting in Hezekiah and, ultimately, in the Lord. In 2 Kings 18:19-32, he mocks Hezekiah’s reliance on God, claiming that Jerusalem’s only hope is surrender. The Rabshakeh highlights Assyria’s overwhelming power, stating that even Egypt—whom he compares to a “bruised reed”—would be of no help to them. He assures the people that the city will fall, promising that resistance will only lead to famine, thirst, and death.
One of the Rabshakeh’s most insidious tactics is his use of Scripture to twist the truth. He references Isaiah’s and Micah’s prophecies, attempting to use the words of Jerusalem’s own prophets against them. For instance, he mocks Hezekiah’s removal of the high places, suggesting that this action had displeased God, while in reality, it was an act of faithfulness in restoring proper worship. By quoting from familiar passages and distorting their meaning, the Rabshakeh seeks to confuse the people, making it appear as though their own religious texts support his message of doom.
This manipulation is particularly dangerous because it sounds plausible. The Rabshakeh’s words blend truth and lies so seamlessly that they could easily deceive those who are not spiritually discerning. He even offers an enticing alternative to war: if the people surrender, they will be led away to a land filled with abundance, where they will have their own fig trees, vineyards, and water to drink. It’s a twisted echo of the biblical promise of prosperity, but one rooted in subjugation and exile rather than freedom under God’s protection. The Rabshakeh’s promises mirror the serpent’s in Eden, offering safety and security, but at the cost of forsaking God.
The Rabshakeh’s challenge reflects the subtlety of false messages that believers face, not only in Hezekiah’s time but throughout history. His tactics highlight how easy it is for truth to be twisted just enough to sow doubt and lead people astray. The people of Jerusalem are faced with a profound test: to discern between the false comfort of the Rabshakeh’s message and the true security found in trusting God, even when circumstances seem hopeless.
This account serves as a powerful reminder of the need for spiritual discernment. Just as the Rabshakeh manipulated Scripture for his own purposes, false teachings today can appear convincing, using familiar language but distorting the truth. Believers must remain rooted in God’s word, trusting His promises and resisting the subtle deceptions that seek to weaken their faith.
The Living God vs. the Arm of Flesh
The Rabshakeh’s confrontation with Jerusalem is more than just a test of military strength—it’s a spiritual battle between faith in the living God and reliance on human power. As Sennacherib’s spokesman, the Rabshakeh boldly blasphemes against God, mocking the idea that Hezekiah’s faith in the Lord could save the city. His message is clear: no god has ever been able to stand against the might of Assyria, so why should the God of Israel be any different? This brazen defiance is not merely an attack on Hezekiah’s leadership but a direct challenge to the authority and power of the living God.
In 2 Kings 18:33-35, the Rabshakeh lists the conquered nations whose gods failed to protect them, concluding that Jerusalem’s fate will be the same. He accuses Hezekiah of deceiving the people by promising that God would deliver them, declaring that trust in the Lord will only lead to their destruction by famine and thirst. This reproach echoes the tactics of earlier enemies of Israel, such as Goliath, who similarly mocked the God of Israel and relied on brute strength to intimidate God’s people.
However, Hezekiah’s response stands in stark contrast to the Rabshakeh’s blasphemy. Despite his grave illness and the overwhelming threat of the Assyrian army, Hezekiah’s faith remains steadfast. He recalls the words of earlier faithful leaders like Elisha and Joshua, who also faced seemingly insurmountable odds but trusted in God’s power rather than their own. When Elisha was surrounded by the Syrian army, he reassured his frightened servant by praying for his eyes to be opened, revealing that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16-17). Hezekiah, like Elisha, knows that human strength is no match for divine power.
In addressing the people, Hezekiah echoes the words of Joshua, who had commanded the Israelites to be “strong and courageous” when entering the Promised Land (Joshua 1:9). Just as Joshua led the people into a new chapter of their history with faith in God, Hezekiah calls on Jerusalem to trust in the Lord in their moment of crisis. In 2 Chronicles 32:7-8, Hezekiah declares, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” This statement draws a stark line between the worldly power of Assyria and the divine protection that God provides to those who trust in Him.
Sennacherib’s boasts, detailed in Assyrian records, portray him as the ultimate ruler, whose military might and riches make him invincible. He is described as “king of the world,” a title that reflects the hubris of earthly powers that exalt themselves above God. Yet, Isaiah’s prophecies offer a profound contrast to this arrogance. While Sennacherib boasts of his strength, Isaiah speaks of the coming Messiah, the true King who would rule with justice and righteousness. In Isaiah 9:6-7, we read of the promised child, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” whose reign will bring everlasting peace and justice. The contrast could not be starker: Sennacherib represents the fleeting power of earthly kings, while the Messiah represents the eternal reign of God’s Kingdom.
This theme of trusting in God rather than human strength is also echoed in the New Testament. In 1 Timothy 4:10, the Apostle Paul reminds believers that “we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” Paul’s words reinforce the message that true security and salvation are found not in wealth or military might, but in God alone. Later, in 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul warns against placing trust in “uncertain riches” and urges believers to “set their hope on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
The Rabshakeh’s threats and Sennacherib’s boasts illustrate the danger of relying on human power and riches. The Assyrians believed that their strength and conquests would guarantee their dominance, but they failed to recognize the sovereignty of the living God. In contrast, Hezekiah’s faith in God reflects a deeper understanding of where true power lies. His reliance on God, not military strategies or wealth, ultimately leads to Jerusalem’s deliverance.
For believers today, the story of Hezekiah serves as a reminder to place our trust in the living God rather than the “arm of flesh.” In times of trial, when worldly powers seem overwhelming and the forces arrayed against us are strong, we are called to remember that God’s power surpasses all human strength. Just as Hezekiah led his people through one of the greatest crises of their time by trusting in God, so too are we invited to place our faith in Him, knowing that He will fight our battles and sustain us through all challenges.
Jerusalem’s Silent Faith: Holding Peace Under Siege
As the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib surrounded Jerusalem, the tension within the city must have been palpable. Yet, in the face of this overwhelming threat, Hezekiah instructed the people to remain silent. In 2 Kings 18:36, we read, “But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded, ‘Do not answer him.’” This instruction, delivered amid the Rabshakeh’s taunts and threats, demonstrates Hezekiah’s steadfast faith and leadership, urging his people to rely not on words or counterarguments but on the power of God’s protection.
The silence of Jerusalem was a powerful act of faith. Rather than engage with the blasphemous words of the Rabshakeh, who tried to undermine their confidence in God, the people held their peace. This was not a silence born of fear or resignation, but a deliberate and faithful act of obedience to Hezekiah’s command and, ultimately, to God. In the face of the Assyrian terror—an army renowned for its cruelty and success in conquest—the calm inside Jerusalem stood in stark contrast. While the Assyrians sought to instil fear and submission, the people of Jerusalem, under Hezekiah’s guidance, chose quiet trust in God’s power to deliver them.
This silence under siege is reminiscent of earlier biblical instructions to “be still” and know that God is in control (Psalm 46:10). In their silence, the people of Jerusalem demonstrated that their trust was not in their own ability to answer the Rabshakeh’s accusations, nor in the strength of their walls, but in the Lord’s ability to save. Hezekiah’s leadership, rooted in his unwavering faith, turned a moment of potential panic into one of quiet confidence in God.
As the siege wore on, the people may have found solace and strength in the songs of Isaiah. Two passages from Isaiah, in particular, seem to capture the spirit of faith that sustained Jerusalem during this trying time. Isaiah 26:3-4 declares, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” This promise of perfect peace for those who trust in God aligns with the silent faith of Jerusalem’s inhabitants, who placed their hope not in human intervention but in divine deliverance.
Similarly, Isaiah 12:2-3 speaks to the deep wells of spiritual sustenance that faith in God provides: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” These verses would have been a source of comfort for the people as they endured the physical and psychological strain of the siege. Just as Hezekiah had ensured that the physical waters of the Gihon Spring were redirected into the city, the spiritual waters of God’s salvation were available to all who placed their trust in Him.
The silence within Jerusalem, then, was not just a passive waiting. It was an active expression of faith in the living God. As the Assyrian army surrounded the city, boasting of their power and mocking the God of Israel, the people of Jerusalem held their peace, trusting that God would fight their battles. And as they waited in silence, it is likely that they recalled the promises of Isaiah, singing songs of hope and faith, and drawing deeply from the spiritual wells of God’s salvation. This quiet yet profound faith would ultimately be rewarded when the angel of the Lord struck down the Assyrian army, vindicating their trust in God’s deliverance.
The Angel’s Intervention: Deliverance from the Assyrians
The story of Jerusalem’s deliverance from the Assyrians reaches its dramatic climax in 2 Kings 19:35, where we read of the miraculous destruction of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers by the angel of the Lord. This singular act of divine intervention not only saved Jerusalem but also left a powerful testimony to God’s power and faithfulness. Despite the overwhelming odds, with Sennacherib’s vast army camped outside Jerusalem, Hezekiah’s steadfast faith in God was rewarded in a way that no one could have foreseen.
The account in 2 Kings is both vivid and succinct: “That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death 185,000 in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!” (2 Kings 19:35). Without a single sword being lifted in defense, the mighty Assyrian army was struck down. This intervention was not merely a stroke of fortune but a direct response to Hezekiah’s faith and prayer, as well as the prophet Isaiah’s reassurance that God would defend His city.
Interestingly, Sennacherib’s defeat is also indirectly corroborated by historical and archaeological evidence, most notably the Taylor Prism. The Taylor Prism is an Assyrian artifact that contains Sennacherib’s own account of his military campaigns. While Sennacherib boasts of his many victories, his account of Jerusalem is conspicuously vague. He describes shutting Hezekiah up “like a caged bird” but never claims to have captured the city. The absence of a victory report is telling, as Assyrian kings were not shy about documenting their conquests in detail. Sennacherib’s silence on the matter of Jerusalem’s fall speaks volumes and aligns with the biblical account of his humiliating defeat.
What we know from historical records and the Bible is that following the death of his soldiers, Sennacherib was forced to retreat to Nineveh, where his reign ended in disgrace. His defeat was a blow not only to his military might but also to the Assyrian reputation as an unstoppable empire. The “caged bird” imagery on the Taylor Prism reflects his frustration—he had besieged Jerusalem but failed to conquer it. This event, recorded both in the Bible and through Assyrian records, is a powerful testament to God’s sovereignty over even the greatest earthly powers.
The miraculous intervention of the angel also foreshadows another future deliverance of Jerusalem, as prophesied in Zechariah. In Zechariah 12:8-9, we read of a time when Jerusalem will again face a siege by an overwhelming force, referred to as the Gogian invasion. “On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem… On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.” Just as in Hezekiah’s time, when the city was surrounded and on the brink of destruction, God will once again intervene to save His people.
This future event is further elaborated in Zechariah 14, where the Lord’s intervention is described in more dramatic terms: “Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle” (Zechariah 14:3). In this prophecy, the scale of divine intervention is expanded to a global level, with the deliverance of Jerusalem standing as a central act in the final confrontation between the forces of good and evil. The parallels between Hezekiah’s Jerusalem and the Jerusalem of the last days are striking: both face overwhelming odds, both rely on God’s protection, and in both cases, God acts decisively to save His people.
The destruction of Sennacherib’s army can be seen as a prototype for the future deliverance of Jerusalem during the Gogian invasion. The same angel of the Lord who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers is portrayed as the defender of God’s people in the future, ensuring that Jerusalem remains a symbol of God’s enduring protection and sovereignty.
For believers today, the angel’s intervention serves as a powerful reminder that God is always in control, even when circumstances seem dire. Just as Hezekiah trusted in God’s deliverance, so too are we called to place our faith in God’s ability to save, even in the face of overwhelming threats. The story of Jerusalem’s salvation from the Assyrians underscores the importance of faith, prayer, and reliance on God’s strength rather than human power. In both Hezekiah’s time and in the prophesied future, the ultimate message is clear: God’s people will be delivered, and His purposes will prevail.
Spiritual Lessons: Faith in Times of Siege
The story of Hezekiah during the Assyrian siege is a powerful example of faith under pressure. Despite the overwhelming threat from Sennacherib’s forces and the immense fear among the people of Jerusalem, Hezekiah remained steadfast in his trust in God. His leadership and faith offer valuable spiritual lessons for believers today, particularly in times of personal or collective adversity.
Hezekiah’s faith is even more remarkable considering his physical condition. The Bible tells us that during the siege, he was gravely ill, yet despite his weakened state, he continued to lead the nation. From his bed, he directed the people to trust in God, rallying them with words of courage and reminding them of God’s power to save. His speech, recorded in 2 Chronicles 32:6-8, emphasised that “with him [the king of Assyria] is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” Hezekiah’s leadership serves as a profound reminder that even in moments of personal weakness, one can still inspire others through faith.
In times of crisis, like the siege of Jerusalem, Hezekiah turned to God’s word and prayer. His reliance on Scripture provided the foundation for his strength. Hezekiah drew from the stories of Joshua and Elisha, both of whom faced overwhelming enemies yet trusted in God’s power to save. His prayers, particularly in response to the Assyrian threats, demonstrated his absolute dependence on divine intervention. He knew that the strength of Jerusalem did not lie in its military capabilities but in the faith of its people and the promises of God.
This reliance on God’s word and prayer is a central lesson for believers today. In times of personal or spiritual siege, when we feel surrounded by challenges, we are called to turn to Scripture for strength. Passages like Isaiah 52, which speaks of Jerusalem’s deliverance, or Psalm 124, which celebrates God’s help in times of danger, offer comfort and hope. Psalm 124:7, for instance, compares the escape of God’s people to that of a bird freed from a trap: “We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.”
In the face of adversity, whether personal struggles or larger trials, Hezekiah’s example reminds us to trust in God’s providence. His faith shows that deliverance comes not from human effort but from God’s power. By turning to prayer and relying on the promises found in God’s word, we, like Hezekiah, can find the strength to endure, knowing that God is with us even in our most challenging times.
Jerusalem’s Salvation and God’s Reign Jerusalem’s Salvation and God’s Reign
Jerusalem’s miraculous deliverance from the Assyrian siege is a powerful reminder of God’s ability to save His people in times of great peril. Hezekiah’s unwavering faith, even in the face of overwhelming odds, shows us that true salvation comes not through human strength, but through reliance on God’s power and promises.
This event also points forward to the ultimate hope of Zion’s future redemption, when God’s reign will be fully established on the earth. As prophesied in Zechariah 14, Jerusalem will once again be delivered, and God will rule over all nations.
For believers today, this story encourages us to remain faithful, trusting in God’s deliverance no matter the trials we face. Just as God protected Jerusalem, He will sustain and guide us through every challenge, leading us toward His kingdom and the fulfilment of His promises.