I explained yesterday that Hezekiah broke ties with Assyria as part of his commitment to serve God alone. Hoshea, the last king of Israel, had paid taxes (called ‘tribute’) for a while to Assyria but had also decided to rebel. Hoshea, however, was not relying on God’s protection but on that of Egypt. In the end Egypt did not save him. Hezekiah, however, trusted in God. At first his faith took a stumble when the Assyrians under Sennacherib ploughed into Judah angrier and stronger than ever. Hezekiah paid an exorbitant tribute to keep them away. But it seems that God wanted to give Hezekiah another chance to exercise his faith and so, perhaps by divine providence, Sennacherib would not accept Hezekiah’s offer of peace. So, Hezekiah soon found the Assyrian army at the walls of Jerusalem. We can only imagine how terrifying this must have been. The Assyrians were not an empire to trifle with. They made great exhibitions of cruelty to their victims to drive fear into the nations before them. Imagine sitting in your home with your children around you knowing that a cruel and merciless army was poised outside to inflict unimaginable suffering on you and your loved ones. The Assyrians wanted the Jews to feel this fear. Never was there a moment of greater tension for a king than this moment. But Hezekiah was ready for it. He had dedicated his life to God. He therefore saw this dilemma as God’s problem, not his. Is your life in God’s hands? Are you ready to face anything?
Dedicate yourself to God.
Read 2 Kings 18:17 – 19:8
