September 20, 2010
Hezekiah hears what the king and men of Assyria are threatening. The first thing Hezekiah did was to go into the temple of the LORD. He took his problems to God. He sent men to Isaiah to see what God said about the situation. The LORD said, "Do not be afraid of what you have heard. Don't be frightened... I (the LORD) will put a spirit of fear in him, I (the LORD) will cause him to die by the sword." The commander goes back to the king and the king of Assyria sends another venomous letter to frighten them. "Don't believe him... you've seen what we have done to the other countries... where are those kings now?"
Either the LORD saved Hezekiah and Judah, or they were done.
God replied, "I have heard your prayers... This is what I have against the king of Assyria." You have insulted me. You have raised your voice against me. You have a proud look which is against me. You have sent your messengers to insult the LORD. You have said "my" chariots...;"I" have gone...; "I" have cut down...; "I" have done this...; "I" have done that...; but what you don't know is, I (God) allowed those things to happen. It wasn't your power, it was me (God) allowing you to go your way. "I know when you rest, when you come and go, and how you rage against me. Because you rage against me, and because I have heard your proud words, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth and I will force you to leave my country the same way you came."
Hezekiah, I will give you a sign, "The strong love of the LORD, All-Powerful will make this happen." The LORD continues, "He (the kings of Assyria) will not enter the city... he will not fight against it... he will return to his country.... he will not enter the city... I (the LORD) will defend and save this city..." And, that night the angel of the LORD went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp.
It may appear that "the proud" are in control, BUT it is God who allowed their pride to become their downfall. When God says enough is enough He will force them out. The LORD hears our prayers. He knows the plans He has for us. (Jeremiah 29:11–13) When it is time for "the storm" to be over; it will be over. He has promised us His protection and we believe Him. (Her Name Was Jane)
God fulfilled His promise. The king of Assyria was killed by his own son. Later, Hezekiah became ill and was going to die.Hezekiah prayed and the LORD heard and answered his prayer. God caused the shadow to go back ten steps as proof of His power. Unfortunately, Hezekiah later became self-sufficient and prideful, showing strangers all that was his. God rebuked him and told him that in the future everything would be taken away and the people would be captive. In his selfishness he didn't see or mourn the big picture. He was only grateful that it wasn't going to happen to him or in his lifetime. He had done so much right, but in the end he failed.
LORD, may we always be dependent on you as our source of strength. May we always have the order correct.
Addendum: 5/19/14 ~ Hezekiah prayed for extra years and God gave him fifteen more years. During that time his son Manasseh was born. When he became king, he did many hateful things. Manasseh did "what the LORD said was wrong... He did more evil than the Amorites before him." If Hezekiah had accepted God's will for his life Manasseh would not have been born.
Oh, how we mess things up when we think "our rights" are more important than God's will.
Next Entry: II Kings 22:1 – 23:35
Hezekiah hears what the king and men of Assyria are threatening. The first thing Hezekiah did was to go into the temple of the LORD. He took his problems to God. He sent men to Isaiah to see what God said about the situation. The LORD said, "Do not be afraid of what you have heard. Don't be frightened... I (the LORD) will put a spirit of fear in him, I (the LORD) will cause him to die by the sword." The commander goes back to the king and the king of Assyria sends another venomous letter to frighten them. "Don't believe him... you've seen what we have done to the other countries... where are those kings now?"
Either the LORD saved Hezekiah and Judah, or they were done.
God replied, "I have heard your prayers... This is what I have against the king of Assyria." You have insulted me. You have raised your voice against me. You have a proud look which is against me. You have sent your messengers to insult the LORD. You have said "my" chariots...;"I" have gone...; "I" have cut down...; "I" have done this...; "I" have done that...; but what you don't know is, I (God) allowed those things to happen. It wasn't your power, it was me (God) allowing you to go your way. "I know when you rest, when you come and go, and how you rage against me. Because you rage against me, and because I have heard your proud words, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth and I will force you to leave my country the same way you came."
Hezekiah, I will give you a sign, "The strong love of the LORD, All-Powerful will make this happen." The LORD continues, "He (the kings of Assyria) will not enter the city... he will not fight against it... he will return to his country.... he will not enter the city... I (the LORD) will defend and save this city..." And, that night the angel of the LORD went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp.
It may appear that "the proud" are in control, BUT it is God who allowed their pride to become their downfall. When God says enough is enough He will force them out. The LORD hears our prayers. He knows the plans He has for us. (Jeremiah 29:11–13) When it is time for "the storm" to be over; it will be over. He has promised us His protection and we believe Him. (Her Name Was Jane)
God fulfilled His promise. The king of Assyria was killed by his own son. Later, Hezekiah became ill and was going to die.Hezekiah prayed and the LORD heard and answered his prayer. God caused the shadow to go back ten steps as proof of His power. Unfortunately, Hezekiah later became self-sufficient and prideful, showing strangers all that was his. God rebuked him and told him that in the future everything would be taken away and the people would be captive. In his selfishness he didn't see or mourn the big picture. He was only grateful that it wasn't going to happen to him or in his lifetime. He had done so much right, but in the end he failed.
LORD, may we always be dependent on you as our source of strength. May we always have the order correct.
God
↓
Man
Addendum: 5/19/14 ~ Hezekiah prayed for extra years and God gave him fifteen more years. During that time his son Manasseh was born. When he became king, he did many hateful things. Manasseh did "what the LORD said was wrong... He did more evil than the Amorites before him." If Hezekiah had accepted God's will for his life Manasseh would not have been born.
Oh, how we mess things up when we think "our rights" are more important than God's will.
Next Entry: II Kings 22:1 – 23:35
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