August 16, 2011
Isaiah's account of the Assyrians attacking Hezekiah and Judah. I've already written about this in II Kings 17:1 - 18:37 (Continued) so I am just going to note the things I have marked in this passage.
1) The king of Assyria was full or arrogance. He had no idea the LORD was using him (Isaiah 10:7). He taunts the people of Judah. I love how the NIV translates verse 5, "On what are you basing this confidence of yours?" He used every method imaginable to try and gain control. Taunts. Threats. Lies. Misrepresentations. Put-downs. Promises. Scare tactics. Half-truths. Fear. Humiliation. Nothing was off limits, he would try anything.
2) Hezekiah asks God for help. The key—going to the LORD. God responds through Isaiah, "Don't be afraid of what you have heard. Don't be frightened by the words the king of Assyria has spoken against me... I will cause him to die by the sword."
3) The king of Assyria was busy fighting another king but just had to get in another threat. So, he sends a letter with a messenger. "Don't be fooled by the god you trust... don't believe him..." Look at all I've done! No one has been successful against me.
4) Hezekiah took the letter to the temple and spread it out before the LORD. "Hear, LORD... Listen... Open your eyes... See." Listen to what they are saying. They are powerful. The things they are saying about their power is true Lord. They have been successful at bullying others. Now LORD, save us! So that ALL will know that you LORD, are the only God." (The same prayer we pray from I Kings 18:37).)
Then God speaks. He speaks out about the king of Assyria. You have insulted me (God). You have raised your voice against me. You have a proud look on your face which is against me. You have used your words to insult me. Then God says, You (king of Assyria) have said, "My... I... I... I... I... my... I..." but long ago I, the LORD, planned these things. I, the LORD, designed them. I, the LORD, allowed them. I, the LORD, KNOW what all you do. I, the LORD, KNOW your motives. So, "I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth. THEN I will force you to leave..."
The king had no idea! He thought he was just insulting and threatening the people of Judah. He wasn't—he was insulting and threatening God himself. He thought he was just attacking the people of Judah. He wasn't—he was attacking God himself. He thought he was in control of his life and that it was his cunning, his power, his might, and his victories. It wasn't—God had allowed him enough rope to hang himself. God was in control. God was using him. And when it came time for enough to be enough, God said you will do what I require you to do. I will force you to leave. Isaiah 37:9 - "He will not enter... he will not fight... I (God) will defend and save (you)." The king could make all the threats he wanted, but God is the one who had the final say. God decided what the king was or was not allowed to do and when enough was enough.
Then—the angel of the LORD went out and fought the battle. 185,000 were killed. Later two of the kings sons killed him with a sword as he was worshiping his god Nisroch which fulfilled what God said would happen in Isaiah 37:7.
In Isaiah 38 Hezekiah becomes ill. He prays to the LORD and God says, I have heard; I have seen; I will deliver; and I will defend.
In Isaiah 38:17 - Hezekiah says, "It was for my own good that I had such troubles." It is always for our own good. Transformation seldom happens without times of trial and testing. We can honestly say any and all the troubles we have had throughout our lifetime has been for our own good. Including "the storm" which we are still in four and one half years later.
When you search for God with all your heart you will find Him. He will let you find Him! There is no better place to be and live. He is faithful. His promises are true.
As for me and my house, we choose to believe!
Addendum: 5/18/15 ~ I have written in the margins of my Bible, "Don't look around—look up!" I have that written beside God's promise found in Isaiah 41:10 - "So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you."
LORD, we claim Your promises. We put our faith and trust in You.
Next Entry: Isaiah 40:1 – 41:29
Isaiah's account of the Assyrians attacking Hezekiah and Judah. I've already written about this in II Kings 17:1 - 18:37 (Continued) so I am just going to note the things I have marked in this passage.
1) The king of Assyria was full or arrogance. He had no idea the LORD was using him (Isaiah 10:7). He taunts the people of Judah. I love how the NIV translates verse 5, "On what are you basing this confidence of yours?" He used every method imaginable to try and gain control. Taunts. Threats. Lies. Misrepresentations. Put-downs. Promises. Scare tactics. Half-truths. Fear. Humiliation. Nothing was off limits, he would try anything.
2) Hezekiah asks God for help. The key—going to the LORD. God responds through Isaiah, "Don't be afraid of what you have heard. Don't be frightened by the words the king of Assyria has spoken against me... I will cause him to die by the sword."
3) The king of Assyria was busy fighting another king but just had to get in another threat. So, he sends a letter with a messenger. "Don't be fooled by the god you trust... don't believe him..." Look at all I've done! No one has been successful against me.
4) Hezekiah took the letter to the temple and spread it out before the LORD. "Hear, LORD... Listen... Open your eyes... See." Listen to what they are saying. They are powerful. The things they are saying about their power is true Lord. They have been successful at bullying others. Now LORD, save us! So that ALL will know that you LORD, are the only God." (The same prayer we pray from I Kings 18:37).)
Then God speaks. He speaks out about the king of Assyria. You have insulted me (God). You have raised your voice against me. You have a proud look on your face which is against me. You have used your words to insult me. Then God says, You (king of Assyria) have said, "My... I... I... I... I... my... I..." but long ago I, the LORD, planned these things. I, the LORD, designed them. I, the LORD, allowed them. I, the LORD, KNOW what all you do. I, the LORD, KNOW your motives. So, "I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth. THEN I will force you to leave..."
The king had no idea! He thought he was just insulting and threatening the people of Judah. He wasn't—he was insulting and threatening God himself. He thought he was just attacking the people of Judah. He wasn't—he was attacking God himself. He thought he was in control of his life and that it was his cunning, his power, his might, and his victories. It wasn't—God had allowed him enough rope to hang himself. God was in control. God was using him. And when it came time for enough to be enough, God said you will do what I require you to do. I will force you to leave. Isaiah 37:9 - "He will not enter... he will not fight... I (God) will defend and save (you)." The king could make all the threats he wanted, but God is the one who had the final say. God decided what the king was or was not allowed to do and when enough was enough.
Then—the angel of the LORD went out and fought the battle. 185,000 were killed. Later two of the kings sons killed him with a sword as he was worshiping his god Nisroch which fulfilled what God said would happen in Isaiah 37:7.
In Isaiah 38 Hezekiah becomes ill. He prays to the LORD and God says, I have heard; I have seen; I will deliver; and I will defend.
In Isaiah 38:17 - Hezekiah says, "It was for my own good that I had such troubles." It is always for our own good. Transformation seldom happens without times of trial and testing. We can honestly say any and all the troubles we have had throughout our lifetime has been for our own good. Including "the storm" which we are still in four and one half years later.
When you search for God with all your heart you will find Him. He will let you find Him! There is no better place to be and live. He is faithful. His promises are true.
As for me and my house, we choose to believe!
Addendum: 5/18/15 ~ I have written in the margins of my Bible, "Don't look around—look up!" I have that written beside God's promise found in Isaiah 41:10 - "So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you."
LORD, we claim Your promises. We put our faith and trust in You.
Next Entry: Isaiah 40:1 – 41:29
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