"Sing to the Lord a New Song"

Hezekiah Seeks Isaiah's Help

When Hezekiah heard what had happened outside the wall with the Rabshakeh mocking God and taunting the people of Judah, Hezekiah sent for Isaiah and told him (through messengers) that this was the day of disgrace. When Hezekiah's servants met with Isaiah, the prophet sent word to Hezekiah not to be distressed at the comments of the Assyrians. God said that He would put a spirit in the Assyrian king that would cause him to hear rumors and return to his own country. Afterward, he would die by the sword in his home country.

The Rabshakeh heard that there was a fight at Libnah, so he left to help—but before he left, he reissued the threats from the king of Assyria. Hezekiah responded in faith again by going to the temple and praying for deliverance from the Assyrian army. In his prayers, he made a powerful statement of faith. He spoke to God about how these other nations had false gods that were destroyed. He then asked God to save the people of Judah because He was the one true God, and this would make that clear to all of the other kingdoms.

Isaiah sent a message to Hezekiah concerning Sennacherib, king of Assyria. Isaiah explained that God had heard what Sennacherib and his servants had said about Him and Judah. God had listened to the bragging about how powerful the Assyrian army was. In the words Isaiah had received from God, God pointed out that through His providential nature, He knew everything that happened and everything that would happen. God said that Sennacherib would not fire a single arrow into Jerusalem or come into the city. God promised that He would defend the city for His sake and for the sake of His servant David.

While the Assyrian army slept, the angel of God killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. The Assyrians then returned home, and King Sennacherib was in the temple of his false gods when he was killed by his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer. They then escaped into the land of Ararat. Esarhaddon, Sennacherib's other son, assumed the throne of Assyria.

Hezekiah's Sickness and Recovery

Hezekiah became deathly ill, and Isaiah came to him and told him that God had sent a message that he should put his affairs in order as he would soon die. Hezekiah faced the wall from his sick bed and cried. He prayed and asked God to remember that he had been a faithful servant and had obeyed God. God sent Isaiah to Hezekiah again, and Isaiah told Hezekiah that he would receive an additional fifteen years of life. God had heard Hezekiah's prayer, and He promised that He would deliver Hezekiah and the city of Jerusalem from the hand of the king of Assyria. As a sign of this, the sun's shadow went back by ten steps.

A Poem from the King

When Hezekiah was healed of his deadly illness, he wrote a poem praising God for what He had done for him and Judah. He wrote of his sadness when he thought he would die at a young age, and then he ended the poem with praise to God for saving him. Hezekiah had been healed when Isaiah said that he should take a cake of figs and apply it to his boil.

Babylon Sends Envoys

Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with presents and letters for King Hezekiah. Merodach-baladan had heard that Hezekiah had been sick and had recovered from his illness. Hezekiah welcomed the envoys. He showed them all of the treasures of Judah as well as the armory and storehouses—he showed them everything. Isaiah came to Hezekiah and asked him what these men had seen. Hezekiah said that he had shown them everything. Isaiah replied that everything that Hezekiah had shown the men would one day be taken to Babylon. He said that even Hezekiah's sons would be taken and made to be eunuchs in the palace of Babylon's king. Hezekiah was content that there would at least be peace during his days.

Summary

Hezekiah sought the help of God through Isaiah as the Assyrian army gathered around Jerusalem, threatened the city, and mocked God. God answered the prayers for help by sending the Assyrians away. Hezekiah became ill and was told he would die. He prayed to God and was given fifteen more years to live. Babylon sent envoys to Hezekiah with gifts, and he showed them all that he had. This would not bode well for the future. Isaiah prophesied that one day, Babylon would take away everything that the envoys had been shown. That would be after Hezekiah's death, however.

Application and Reflection

Application

The Assyrians taunted King Hezekiah, and instead of answering them with his own words, he told his army to remain silent. He then took the problem to God and turned it over to Him. When we face difficulties in life, we should turn them over to God as King Hezekiah did.

Reflection

When King Hezekiah was sick, he was told that he would soon die. He took this information to God in prayer, and God gave him fifteen more years. When you have a problem, do you take it to God in prayer?