This dense and varied chapter contains several important events, too many to cover in detail. As Judah is threatened by Assyria, Hezekiah and his higher-ups humble themselves, seeking Isaiah and God for help. Isaiah prophesies and speaks God’s responses to Hezekiah’s prayers / inquiries.
“…Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord… and [prayed]: ‘O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.’ ” (v14-19)
Hezekiah prays powerfully, honestly, and earnestly to God. Some of my favorite scripture passages are prayers – examples of how others have spoken to God.
Let’s break this down a little. Here are some of the key elements in this prayer:
– Acknowledging God: Hezekiah addresses God for who He is, and what He has done. Hezekiah acknowledges that he, and everything / everyone else, are not as capable or knowledgeable as God.
– Respect: Hezekiah asks God to ‘incline His ear and hear’ his prayer. He realizes that God is not obligated to hear or respond, and he humbly requests an audience with God.
– Contrasting God and Mankind: Hezekiah contrasts God’s creation of heaven and earth against small works of mankind’s hands (those which are easily destroyed).
– Stating Concern: Hezekiah states his concern that Assyria is powerful and threatens the wellbeing of entire nations (including Judah).
– Stating Wrongdoing: Hezekiah points out that Assyria are in the wrong, having mocked and insulted God and His people. Confession of sin would also fall into this category.
– Request: Hezekiah asks for Judah’s deliverance from these oppressors.
– Motivation: Hezekiah desires that God deliver His people so that He is glorified and made known to all the kingdoms of the earth.
We could break each of these aspects down much further, though I’ll only encourage us on one of them right now: motivation. Why do we make our requests known to God? Do we want alleviation from suffering, better financial stability, healing from sickness, some peace in our lives, or God to be glorified throughout all the world? It’s not wrong to have a few different motives for talking to God, though putting God’s will and motivations ahead of our own is pretty important, and is easy to accidentally overlook. I urge us all (myself included) to put God’s will and glory ahead of our own well-intentioned motives, praying like Hezekiah (and Jesus) did.
Father God, our one true Lord, the Living God of Israel, You are mighty in deed. You spoke heaven and earth into existence with Your sovereign command. We are humbled by Your awesome power. Father we praise You for delivering us from sin and evil, and we humbly ask that You hear our requests. We ask for Your forgiveness, and Spirit of guidance upon us as we face life’s challenges. May we be joyful and grateful in all circumstances, glorifying you to all the nations, forever and ever, in accordance with Your will. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training