2 Kings 19:14-20, 29-31
The city of Jerusalem is surrounded by the Assyrian army. Other cities around them have fallen to the empire, including the entire northern Kingdom of Israel (a separate entity from the southern Kingdom of Judah – the subject of today’s reading). The Assyrian king calls out, “It’s pointless to resist.”
In other words, the situation is not looking good.
2 Kings 18 sets the scene: Assyrian King Sennacherib, his spokesperson the Rabshakeh, and the Assyrian army have threatened Jerusalem and mocked God. Our Scripture reading today tells us how Hezekiah, the king of Judah, responds. 2 Kings 18:3 lays the groundwork for Hezekiah’s character by telling readers, “He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, just as his ancestor David had done.” We see that play out in his reaction to the Assyrian army.
After seeking advice from the prophet Isaiah (yes, the same one with his own book), Hezekiah receives another threat from Assyria (v. 8-13) and then prays to God (v. 14-19). His prayer is at the heart of our lesson today.
In his prayer, Hezekiah models the type of kingship the Lord intended for his people, namely, as vice-regent for God, the true ruler. He claims that the Almighty alone is God over the kingdoms of the earth. The Lord is not a national deity like the gods of the peoples around them. The Almighty is supreme over all nations as the one and only Creator (Psalm 47:2-9). Hezekiah also appeals to God to deliver Jerusalem so that God’s glory will be seen among the nations (1 Kings 8:42; 1 Samuel 17:46), which was God’s purpose in establishing Israel (2 Samuel 7:23; Psalm 67:1-2; cf. Isaiah 26:18). Hezekiah reminds the Creator of that purpose. The Almighty responds to Hezekiah’s prayer through the prophet Isaiah, who announces the certain defeat of the Assyrian army and restoration of the land of Judah. God will not allow others to profane God’s name or destroy God’s people (Isaiah 26:11; 59:17).
Application
How do we respond when we feel surrounded by our enemies? When we can’t imagine an outcome without heartbreak and pain? Hezekiah models a type of leadership that turns to God when disaster seems inevitable. Rather than believing that he, as the king, has what is needed to solve the problem, Hezekiah chooses to turn to God and to remember God’s promise for Israel: to be a blessing to the nations.
Moreover, this Bible story demonstrates that God hears our prayers and responds. In this particular situation, God answers exactly how Hezekiah hopes. Judah is protected; the people of God are spared from slavery, death and exile.
This is a hopeful outcome. However, I will be honest, friends. I sometimes struggle to believe what this story tells us about God’s response in times of trouble. I think, for instance, of a good friend whose 28-year-old brother just died from cancer. I know many people who prayed for this man’s health and recovery. I was one of them. And yet, the family of this young man is left to mourn. Where is God in this?
Scripture instructs us to pray and includes many stories where prayer offers insight, comfort, and miracles (such as today’s reading). But the substance and purpose of prayer remain mysterious. Is it to connect with God? To align our desires with God’s desires? To offer protection? To worship? Yes. Is a positive outcome guaranteed? No, not all the time. But God’s instruction and the examples given to us in divinely-inspired Scripture remain true.
Sometimes, like in today’s reading, we get exactly what we ask for in prayer. But I think more often than not, the purpose of prayer lies in the action of connecting with God. My main takeaway from today’s Scripture is the way that God listens to Hezekiah. God is present to Hezekiah in his prayer, just like I believe God was present to my friend and my friend’s brother as they prayed for healing. Just like God is present to all those who call out to the creator in times of need around the globe.
I don’t know how to answer the questions of why suffering happens or God’s power to stop it or why it appears that God only answers some prayers. But I do believe that God is present when we call. And we can model the leadership of Hezekiah when we turn to our creator in times of crisis, acknowledging our own fallibility and limits.
Questions:
- In his prayer, Hezekiah names God’s promise for Israel. He claims this for himself and his people. Some interpretations say he reminds God of the promise. What promises does God have for us today? How can we remind one another of them?
- Share a time when your prayer was answered in a clear way. Share a time when God’s answer was not clear, at least not in the way that you hoped. How do you hold these things together?
- What do you think about prayer? What is its purpose?
