Old Testament in a Year

2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13
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Well, it was bound to happen.  Assyria conquered Israel.  They were bound to go after Judah / Jerusalem soon enough.  Tough to stop an ego / power like that.  It’s “never enough”.  So, we get the bold boasts before the walls of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib of Assyria’s representatives in Second Chronicles 32.  Verse 14 includes this boast, which probably didn’t make God too happy: “Name just one time when any god, anywhere, was able to rescue his people from me! What makes you think your God can do any better?”

It’s great to see that Hezekiah took all of this to God in prayer in verse 20 – “Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.”  Good move!  How often in our lives today, when challenges come our way, do we take the challenges everywhere else BUT to God?  Wouldn’t it be easier to take them directly to God?  Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or whatever – can we simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them?  Below is a painting of “The destruction of Sennacherib and his army” by the artist Rubens (1577-1640), which is currently at the Alte Pinakothek Museum in Munich –

Hezekiah later in this chapter receives envoys from Babylon.  You’ll recall from our Second Kings readings (full details are in Second Kings 20:12-20) that unfortunately, Hezekiah is a bit too hospitable with these envoys.  He believes showing off his wealth will prove that he has worldly power and that the Babylonians will respect him and Judah.  Isaiah sees that Hezekiah is relying on worldly wealth and not God, and Isaiah delivers a word from God that Judah will be exiled to Babylon.  Indeed, this comes true in 115 years from when Isaiah delivers this word. How about us, in our lives today – do we try to impress people with our worldly wealth or toys or stuff, like Hezekiah was trying to impress the Babylonians?  And further, do we actually try to rely on this worldly stuff rather than rely on God?

Worship Video: King Hezekiah’s prayer to God in our 2nd Chronicles readings today reminded me of Chris Tomlin’s fantastic song “How Great Is Our God:”

Do you know how great our God is? Click here for His Greatness!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

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