11/02/2014 - A WRONG COMPARISON

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Now therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you like this, and do not believe him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand? 2 Chronicles 32:15

The invasion of Jerusalem, as expected by the Assyrians, did not happen because the King of Assyria offended the Lord. Years before, the Assyrians had invaded the kingdom of the North, called Israel, and had taken the people captive because the king and the people had fallen away from God. Now they wanted to do the same with Judah, but they faced a king that served the true God. May the enemy always meet you in the same condition!

Hezekiah was not shaken in his faith. On the contrary, he acted like a prophet. He told his people in the open square of the city gate that the Lord was with them, and that the Assyrians were with their arm of flesh. This proved to be right, for no one can destroy he who is firm in the faith on the only Rock that exists. It is a proved fact: those who belong to the Lord will always defeat their enemies.

Sennacherib, King of Assyria, did not expect to encounter the true God. However, he met him on the wrong side. If he had paid attention to what Hezekiah said to his servants, he could have been saved. The perverse Assyrian King told the Hebrews not to be persuaded by their King Hezekiah, but they did not follow his advice. Those who trusted in the servant of the Lord were not led astray.

Truly, Hezekiah did not provoke them to do evil, but let himself be used by the Holy Spirit to tell the truth to the people. If he had acted naturally, he would have “thrown the towel” and asked for terms of peace. If he had done so, he would have displeased the Warrior of Israel. Pay attention to your attitudes before a threat from the enemy. In all circumstances, it is better not to offend the Lord.

The Assyrian King told the people not to give credit to the King of Judah. But he spoke to the wrong people. The citizens of that kingdom had learned many years before with King Jehosaphat, that if they trusted the Most High, they would be safe, and if they trusted the prophets, they would prosper (2 Cr. 20:20). They chose to trust in God and His prophet, and thus, were safe and prosperous.

How impertinent Sennacherib was to compare the Lord to the “gods” of the nations! That is why he had such a tragic end. He returned home humiliated, without his 185 thousand soldiers killed by the angel of God. It will be the same to those who offend the Father and the person that leads His people. One thing is certain: the Almighty does not forsake those who put their trust in Him (Psalm. 37:28).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares