The battle lines were drawn. Assyria is going to attack Judah. Hezekiah’s back is against the wall and he is racing to build up their defenses before the coming invasion. Assyria has been rolling over every nation in their path. They are the world super-power of the day. No one has been able to stop them. They are a rolling bulldozer, and they are headed for Judah!
While Hezekiah’s back may be against the wall, his faith is grounded in the grace, power, and faithfulness of God! He knows full well that from the human perspective, Judah doesn’t stand a chance. However, he also knows this will not just involve humans! Hezekiah knows that God is in control and victory or defeat ultimately lay in his hands. If Judah will serve the Lord, the Lord will fight for them. Hezekiah boldly declares, “With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight out battles” (32:8).
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had an entirely different point of view! He boldly declared, “For no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand...How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand” (32:15)! Hezekiah would not leave God out of the equation; Sennacherib never had God anywhere near his equation! In his mind, he was above all gods. He could defeat any nation, and therefore, any god!
So what happened? The Lord sent an angel to destroy the Assyrian warriors, and Sennacherib returned home only to be killed by his sons! “So the Lord saved Hezekiah...from the hand of Sennacherib” (32:22). You can’t avoid polar opposites in this life, but you better be sure you are on the Lord’s side when you are involved in one!
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