The Kingdom Series – ‘Sennacherib’s Threat’

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The Kingdom Series – ‘Sennacherib’s Threat’

By David White  

“And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that his purpose was to make war against Jerusalem…” (II Chronicles 32:2)

     The challenges before us today, regardless of how numerous and frightening they appear, can only prevent us from accomplishing the will of God if we place more faith in their ability to stop us than in God who has called and positioned us for this hour. 

     Bursting with arrogance and pride, Sennacherib, the cruel and wicked King of Assyria, defiantly boasted in his ability to gain control and bring down Jerusalem as well as the entire nation of Judah. The king declared, “Who is there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed that could deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand?” (II Chronicles 32:14)      

    It was becoming more and more apparent to Hezekiah, his leaders and the people, as to Sennacherib’s true intentions. Sennacherib, whose name means bramble of destruction, had come to make war against the cities of Judah. 

   Anyone who would not submit or stood in his way would have to be removed or destroyed, which included Hezekiah the king of Judah. The future of an entire nation as well as that of future generations was hanging in the balance. 

     Yet Hezekiah did what anyone facing the prospect of captivity, tyranny and destruction should do. He called upon his God who alone could deliver them from any conspiracy, plot or evil strategy of a wicked and ambitious king whose hunger for power and hatred for God dictated his every move. 

     After making preparations strategically and militarily, (see II Chronicles 32:5-6), Hezekiah gathered the people and encouraged them with this advice, "be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles" (II Chronicles 32:7-8). 

     Those who followed Sennacherib rose up in defense of their king and angrily spoke out against the Lord God and His servant Hezekiah. They called out with a loud voice in the language of the people of Jerusalem, “to frighten them and trouble them, that they might take the city.” 

     Later we get a clearer picture of the situation facing Hezekiah and how he responded when we read, “therefore wrath was looming over him, (Hezekiah) and over Judah and Jerusalem” (II Chronicles 32:25). Sennacherib had already gained much territory and was pushing hard towards Jerusalem. The situation looked hopeless.

 

     Yet the Scriptures declare, “Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah” (II Chronicles 32:26).

     King Hezekiah stood face to face with the evil king of Assyria who was doubling down in his effort to destroy Judah. But Sennacherib’s threat was not overcome with Judah’s military might nor by their negotiations or compromises. Hezekiah along with the people humbled themselves before the Lord their God. Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet prayed and cried out to heaven.  

     Hezekiah’s leadership in this looming crisis opened the door for the following to occur: “Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven. Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefaced to his own land. And when he had gone into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring struck him down with the sword there. Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side” (II Chronicles 32:20-23).

     Darkness arises in every generation as a bramble of destruction. Yet history confirms that salvation and deliverance comes from where it always has, above. 

     The great need of this hour is for leaders to emerge who, with humility and wisdom, will above all else, lead others to call upon the only One who is both able and mighty to save.

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