The Prayer of Hezekiah

At the Beach in New Zealand.

In 2 Kings chapter 18 we are reading about King Hezekiah and that Sennecherib is threatening Jerusalem. In 2 Kings chapter 19 the deliverance of Jerusalem is foretold, the prayer of Hezekiah is recorded, and Senncherib’s fall is prophesied by Isaiah.

We find the prayer of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 19:14 and the answer to his prayer in 2 Kings 19:20, where it says:

“Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennecherib king of Assyria.'”

King Hezekiah discovers three things Sennecherib got wrong:

FIRST of all Sennecherib thought he had it only to do with Israel and the King of Israel.

2 Kings 19:22

King Hezekiah learned that the enemy did not only fight against him but also against God. That meant that Sennecherib did not have much of a chance to win.

We can learn that anyone fighting God is doomed to destruction.

SECONDLY Sennecherib thought it was his plan to go to war.

2 Kings 19:25

The most mightiest people of this earth are only tools in the hands of the Lord.

THIRDLY Sennecherib counted himself already the conquer before the battle had started. He boasted and called to Hezekiah: 2 Kings 18:23. But the Lord said: 2 Kings 19:28.

And what does it say in Psalm 1:6?

There we read:

“FOR THE LORD WATCHES OVER THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT THE WAY OF THE WICKED WILL PERISH.”