The Pilgrim Path---Second Chronicles 32: 20—23

Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword. So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of all his enemies, and he provided for them on every side. And many brought gifts to the LORD to Jerusalem and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from that time onward.

HEZEKIAH---ISAIAH & The Purpose of the LORD…

A large military “presence” is assembled against Jerusalem. Assyria’s King has let the inhabitants of the city know that they will soon be devastated like all the other foes they have ever faced. The end is near (or so the Assyrians believe). True, the LORD had used the Assyrians like an “ax” in his hand for judgment toward nations. They need not believe that they would be spared judgment themselves. Take a listen to the LORD’S message through the Prophet Isaiah, beginning in Isaiah chapter 37, verse 21:

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word that the LORD has spoken concerning him:

“She despises you, she scorns you---

The virgin daughter of Zion;

She wags her head behind you---

The daughter of Jerusalem.

“Whom have you mocked and reviled?

Against whom have you raised your voice

And lifted your eyes to the heights?

Against the Holy One of Israel!

By your servants you have mocked the Lord,

And you have said , ‘With my many chariots

I have gone up to the heights of the mountains,

To the far recesses of Lebanon,

To cut down its tallest cedars,

Its choicest cypresses…

VERSE 26: Have you not heard

That I determined it long ago?

I planned from days of old

What now I bring to pass…

VERSE 29: Because you have raged against me

And your complacency has come to my ears,

I will put my hook in your nose

And my bit in your mouth,

And I will turn you back on the way by which you came.

VERSE 33: Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it.

VERSE 34: By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the LORD.

---Prayer was significant in turning “back” the enemies of God’s people. Isaiah makes it clear that the LORD had already “ordained” this amazing episode---long ago (determined it long ago),---but it is intriguing is it not? We must be reminded that prayer---is often what releases the purpose of the Almighty. The LORD Jesus said, “Keep on asking, seeking, and knocking.” The God-Man taught persistence in prayer…

---Personal engagement by the angel of the LORD: Isaiah 37: 36 “And the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.”

---Proud King departed: Somewhere ---from a vantage point, Sennacherib had watched his military encircle Jerusalem. He had probably snickered at the words of the Rabshakeh---down at the walls of Jerusalem---trying to terrify the inhabitants to death! Whoa---the angel of the LORD changed everything. Well, another couple of days in the reign of a tyrant. Back home he goes---Only to be murdered by his own sons (Adrammelech & Sharezer) when he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god (as Dr. Phil would ask, “how’s that working for you?”).

---Point to remember: THE LORD will get the last laugh. It will not be funny for those who do not belong to Jehovah-Jesus.

From Dr. Raymond Ortlund, Jr.---“There are two ways you can live. You can hide the ugly details and try to get God to collude with you in assembling a little personal world of make-believe for your own reputation and comfort. Or you can let God tell “his” story in your life. You can bow to his will and promote his glory, whatever adjustments that may require, because his glory is your salvation. If you choose the first way, you will be endlessly frustrated. God will always seem to be against you, and you will have no fortitude. But if you choose God’s way, he will draw near with empowering mercies, and you will become living proof, against the odds, that God is the true Savior.”

HYMN

Who trusts in God, a strong abode in heaven and earth possesses;

Who looks in love to Christ above, no fear his heart oppresses.

In you alone, dear Lord we own sweet hope and consolation:

Our shield from foes, our balm for woes, our great and sure salvation.

Joachim Magdeburg, 1572 / translated by Benjamin H. Kennedy, 1863

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason