Isaiah 37
Today's Passage: Isaiah 37
Isaiah 37 is very similar to another well-known Old Testament story. Let me explain.
In our passage, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and his army are closing in on the nation of Israel. Sennacherib makes this claim: Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria (v. 10). Then, he begins bragging at what Assyria has done and asks the question: Have the gods of the nations delivered them? This is a big mistake. Sennacherib begins mocking God. He is basically saying, “No other gods have saved their nation, so why should yours?” But, he clearly doesn’t know who the true God is.
King Hezekiah, the king of Israel, is in distraught. He knows under his power there is nothing he can do to save the nation. Instead, he turns to God. And Hezekiah’s response is awesome: hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God (v. 17)… save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord (v. 20). Hezekiah is concerned for the glory of God and wants everyone to know who the true God is.
God hears and honors Hezekiah. God strikes down 185,000 Assyrians and king Sennacherib dies from the hands of his sons.
Isaiah 37 should recall the famous story of David and Goliath. Goliath mocked God continually. David hears Goliath mocking God and asks: For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David’s response was one of being offended for the glory of God, much how Hezekiah acted. In both situations, God honored David and Hezekiah and brought deliverance to His people.
Do you get offended for God’s glory? Our culture very much likes to make fun of who God is and what He has done. We see it in TV shows, music, even some churches. What should our response be to someone/company who mocks God?
Written By: Brice Stockton
Isaiah 37 is very similar to another well-known Old Testament story. Let me explain.
In our passage, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and his army are closing in on the nation of Israel. Sennacherib makes this claim: Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria (v. 10). Then, he begins bragging at what Assyria has done and asks the question: Have the gods of the nations delivered them? This is a big mistake. Sennacherib begins mocking God. He is basically saying, “No other gods have saved their nation, so why should yours?” But, he clearly doesn’t know who the true God is.
King Hezekiah, the king of Israel, is in distraught. He knows under his power there is nothing he can do to save the nation. Instead, he turns to God. And Hezekiah’s response is awesome: hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God (v. 17)… save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord (v. 20). Hezekiah is concerned for the glory of God and wants everyone to know who the true God is.
God hears and honors Hezekiah. God strikes down 185,000 Assyrians and king Sennacherib dies from the hands of his sons.
Isaiah 37 should recall the famous story of David and Goliath. Goliath mocked God continually. David hears Goliath mocking God and asks: For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David’s response was one of being offended for the glory of God, much how Hezekiah acted. In both situations, God honored David and Hezekiah and brought deliverance to His people.
Do you get offended for God’s glory? Our culture very much likes to make fun of who God is and what He has done. We see it in TV shows, music, even some churches. What should our response be to someone/company who mocks God?
Written By: Brice Stockton
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