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In this episode of Resurrection Radio Podcast, we learn about the difficulties that existed for Judah in the time of King Hezekiah and Isaiah. We learn that King Hezekiah is confronted by a messenger from Assyria who mocks the living GOD Almighty and issues threats against the nation of Judah. We learn that King Hezekiah decides to trust in GOD Almighty and go to Isaiah to learn about what he could do to help the nation.
We learn that
through King Hezekiah's response, we believers learn that our faith
in GOD Almighty is necessary to continue moving forward. We learn
that when difficulties happen, we must go to GOD Almighty and pray
and allow GOD Almighty to help us. We learn that from King Hezekiah's
response, GOD Almighty is able to protect the Kingdom of Judah from
the Assyrians. We learn about the response of GOD Almighty through
Isaiah and then through GOD Almighty's response.
We also learn about the manner that King Hezekiah prayed to GOD Almighty. We learn that he began by glorifying and praising GOD Almighty. This tells us believers that praying is important because GOD Almighty hears our prayers and in Revelation it is stated that our prayers ascend to the Highest Heavens like incense. We can learn that the Kingdom of Judah was protected by GOD Almighty's grace, King Hezekiah's humble faith, and by Isaiah's steadfast obedience to GOD Almighty.
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Manuscript of Episode
Prophecies of Isaiah
In the Scriptures, we are able to understand the different prophecies of Isaiah. We are able to understand when we read the Scriptures through the Spirit of Truth and the wisdom of GOD Almighty. Through knowledge we can partially understand, but through wisdom we can totally understand those prophecies of King Jesus Christ, the Day of the LORD, and the Thousand Year Reign of King Jesus Christ. While we have covered the prophecies of the future times, we have not covered the time of Isaiah.
There are specific prophecies in the time of Isaiah that are told to Isaiah. We learn that Isaiah judges specific nations like the Philistines. There are specific times for the kingdom of Judah that there is difficulty. We learn about prophecies in the time of Isaiah that tell that the nation of Israel was going to be afflicted by the Assyrians if they do not repent. That is for the Northern Ten Tribes. Then we know there is the prophecy of the exile for the Southern Two Tribes if they do not repent of their sin. These prophecies also tell us of the grace of GOD Almighty to send a prophet in order to preach repentance prior to the start of those prophecies. If they repent, they are able to continue with the blessings and abundance, but if they continue to sin, they have difficulties.
Sennacherib's Messenger to the Kingdom of Judah
There is a specific chapter in Isaiah of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. Sennacherib is trying to afflict King Hezekiah, the king of the Southern Kingdom. We see Judah is having difficulties with Assyria. This is the story of King Hezekiah humbling himself before GOD Almighty, and GOD Almighty resolving everything.
“Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah, and took them. And the king of Assyria sent Rab-shakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fullers’ field. Then came forth unto him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. And Rab-shakeh said unto them: ‘Say ye now to Hezekiah: Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria: What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? I said: It is but vain words; for counsel and strength are for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me? Behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it; so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust on him. But if thou say unto me: We trust in the LORD our God; is not that He, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and to Jerusalem: Ye shall worship before this altar? Now therefore, I pray thee, make a wager with my master, the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. How then canst thou turn away the face of one captain, even of the least of my master’s servants? yet thou puttest thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen! And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? The LORD said unto me: Go up against this land, and destroy it.’”- Isaiah 36: 1-10
Hezekiah is being given a description by this messenger about how Assyria has destroyed nations. GOD Almighty was using Assyria to judge the sin of Israel. We learn that GOD Almighty cares for them, and there is a remnant that is protected. This allows the nation to go back to a time of healing. There is no full end of Israel or Judah because of the love of GOD Almighty for David and Moses. They were great individuals because they had faith in GOD Almighty.
The messenger breaks everything down for Hezekiah, numbering everything that is going against King Hezekiah. If you think you can trust in Egypt or a nation, those nations cannot help. That is one part. In specific times, the people of Israel do not want to obey GOD Almighty, they think they can go to other nations. That does not happen. That is the judgment of GOD Almighty.
The people of Israel knew that like the prophecies that were stated in Isaiah. There is anger against Egypt for having afflicted the people of Israel in the past. Egypt was not going to return to the peak because they afflicted Israel. When we learn that nations try to get help from Egypt, they are afflicted. We learn that the messenger of the king of Assyria tells King Hezekiah the options they have. If there is a trust in diplomacy, it will not help.
“But
if thou say unto
me: We trust in the LORD our God; is not that He,
whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath
taken away, and
hath said to Judah and to Jerusalem: Ye shall worship before this
altar?”- Isaiah 36: 7
I do not if there was idolatry in the Southern Kingdom. King Hezekiah goes to Isaiah to ask what he can do. It is interesting knowing this description, that the messenger was speaking lies so that the people would not believe King Hezekiah. This was to cause doubt from the people against Hezekiah. This was the messengers attempt to cause intrigue. This was to cause the people of Israel to doubt the leadership of Hezekiah.
“Now therefore, I pray thee, make a wager with my master, the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.”-Isaiah 36: 8
The messenger says that they were to provide for them specific equipment telling Hezekiah that they have greater military strength, resources, things like that. If they thought that they could fight against them, they needed to reconsider. This was to show that Assyria was the dominant power at that time. They afflict Israel because of idolatry, but Judah is protected because they believe in Jesus. We know that they believe in GOD Almighty so they are protected.
It does not matter what the messenger says because GOD Almighty is in control. This reminds us of GOD Almighty's protection for those that obey GOD Almighty. This is why I love this story so much. The story reminds us that the resources, diplomacy, and connections do not matter. What does matter? GOD Almighty matters.
The messenger lied saying that GOD Almighty was using Assyria to destroy Judah. This was to cause Hezekiah to doubt his belief. If they are righteous, they have nothing to doubt. They do not have to doubt GOD Almighty. This is their adversaries trying to cause them to doubt GOD Almighty, the truth, and what is happening. This is interesting because through it all, we see Hezekiah's response.
Faith Defies Doubt
“Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rab-shakeh: ‘Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Aramean language, for we understand it; and speak not to us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.’ But Rab-shakeh said: ‘Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words?”- Isaiah 36: 11
They are going through difficulties. Specifically that it is interesting that the people that were helping King Hezekiah, Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah were servants of King Hezekiah. They tell the messenger to speak in another language so that not everyone could hear. They are asked to speak in Aramaic and not in Hebrew so that other people do not hear what is being said. That is so the people of the city do not hear. The messenger speaks in Hebrew to try to demoralize their adversaries by letting everyone hear these things. Specifically to Hezekiah and those in the vicinity to doubt Hezekiah's leadership. This is specific to cause difficulties for Hezekiah but we see what Hezekiah does.
“Then Rab-shakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said: ‘Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. 14 Thus saith the king: Let not Hezekiah beguile you, for he will not be able to deliver you;”- Isaiah 36: 13-14
The messenger was sent to cause doubt to the leadership that exists.
“Neither
let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying: The
LORD will
surely deliver us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the
king of Assyria.”- Isaiah 36: 15
Trying to foment doubt and cause the people to doubt Hezekiah and to doubt GOD Almighty. The messenger says that how can GOD Almighty help. These are the lies of evil. We know that GOD Almighty is in control so we do not listen to the messengers. It is not based in reality. GOD Almighty is on the Highest Throne in the Highest Heavens. If we are righteous, we have nothing to fear.
“Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying: The LORD will surely deliver us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hearken not to Hezekiah; for thus saith the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig-tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern; until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards. Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying: The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Who are they among all the gods of these countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’- Isaiah 36: 15-20
The messenger does not see the reality of GOD Almighty. They falsely equivalate GOD Almighty to idols and that is a big no no. We know GOD Almighty does not have any equal. This is in order to cause people to doubt the leadership of King Hezekiah. King Hezekiah has his kingship by GOD Almighty and is from the promise of David, the word of GOD Almighty, the eternal word of GOD Almighty.
This is a time of difficulty for King Hezekiah. This is a time of testing to see where we go. The option was Egypt, but King Hezekiah says that is not an option, and he goes to GOD Almighty.
“But they held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, saying: ‘Answer him not.’ Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rab-shakeh.”- Isaiah 36: 21-22
They did not respond because the king told them not to respond. There was knowledge to know what to respond. The people that were with Hezekiah let him know what was stated. This is a time of difficulty. There are times of difficulties for righteous individuals. During these times we have to think that when there are difficulties, we go to GOD Almighty. Hezekiah shows us like Moses, Jesus, and David. Hezekiah being from the lineage of David. I do not know if he was a great grandson specifically but is from the lineage of David. The response of Hezekiah is important and gives hope.
Even when the messengers state what things seemed to be like, they falsely equivalate GOD Almighty with other beliefs. That tells us that they do not know GOD Almighty. That causes a reversal to occur. Assyria takes the fortified cities of Judah but GOD Almighty responds.
“And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.”- Isaiah 37: 1
What is the first thing that Hezekiah does? He repents of whatever sin may have occurred and places on sackcloth. Hezekiah covers himself with sackcloth. This is something that was done in the past to show that there was repentance from sin and that they were humble to GOD Almighty. This was a method to show a contrite heart. King Hezekiah then goes to the house of the LORD to know what he can do. King Hezekiah goes to GOD Almighty and does not go to the leaders of the military or to the idols or the people who practice idolatry. King Hezekiah goes to GOD Almighty. What do we do? We go to GOD Almighty. King Hezekiah does not look for help from other nations. King Hezekiah goes to GOD Almighty. King Hezekiah goes to Isaiah the prophet.
“And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.”- Isaiah 37: 2
This tells us the importance of Isaiah. The importance of a prophet. When they do not know what to do, they go to GOD Almighty. They go to the prophet. This reminds of the time of David. We see the distinction between David and Saul. David goes to GOD Almighty to know what he has to do.
Hezekiah Trusts GOD Almighty
Hezekiah goes to the house of the LORD to know what he needs to do. He does not go to the leader of the military, to Egypt, or to those that practice idolatry, no, Hezekiah goes to GOD Almighty. There are options, yet Hezekiah chooses to go to GOD Almighty. Hezekiah goes to Isaiah the prophet to know how GOD Almighty can help.
“And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz. ”- Isaiah 37: 2
We learn about the importance of Isaiah. The importance of the prophet of GOD Almighty. When they do not know what to do, they go to the prophet. We see the distinction that is made when King Hezekiah decides to go to the prophet of GOD Almighty. We learn in the time of David that David goes to GOD Almighty to ask for help. We see that when Saul does not have prophets, priests, or David, who are considered men of GOD Almighty, Saul goes to the medium. That is a distinction that exists. We learn that going to a medium is a no. We learn that King Hezekiah goes to Isaiah. That is a yes. They go to GOD Almighty and the prophet. GOD Almighty and the prophet have the answers. This is what they say:
“And they said unto him: ‘Thus saith Hezekiah: This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of contumely; for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to taunt the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD thy God hath heard; wherefore make prayer for the remnant that is left.’”- Isaiah 37: 2-4
It is a time of difficulty because Assyria has great might but does not have GOD Almighty. That is how we have to rephrase this. We have GOD Almighty. What happens? Isaiah tells them:
“So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah. And Isaiah said unto them: ‘Thus shall ye say to your master: Thus saith the LORD: Be not afraid,” - Isaiah 37: 5-6
What does GOD Almighty tells us in the Scriptures. Do not be afraid. There are difficulties, but we are to remind ourselves that trusting in GOD Almighty will always provide the best results for the Christian believer.
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