Leslie M. John
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed by the king of Assyria, nor
by all the multitude that is with him: for there are more with us than with him:
(2 Chronicles 32:7)
There was a King by name, Sennacherib. He is known for his pride, blasphemous
nature, and ridiculing attitude. 2 Chronicles Chapter 32 has the details of
Sennacherib’s downfall and Hezekiah’s victory.
Sennacherib sent blasphemous letters to Hezekiah, ridiculing the God of
Hezekiah. Sennacherib had ambition of besieging Lachish (v. 9), but hears that
Hezekiah is fortifying Jerusalem and encouraging his people to stand against the
invasion. Sennacherib comes in person to besiege it and before he wages a war
against Jerusalem, he sends messengers to make speeches demeaning the living God
and proclaiming his own great acts of courage. He himself writes letters to
frighten Hezekiah and his people to surrender the city. His tactics were of mean
nature in order to terrify the common people and persuade them to desert
Hezekiah.
Sennacherib, the blasphemer and a proud king compared our living God, the Maker
of heaven and earth, with the idol-gods of the nations. He treated the work of
men’s hands more than the works of living God. He had a great contempt for our
God. Addressing Hezekiah’s people he says:
Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you in this way,
neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver
his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less
shall your God deliver you out of my hand? (2 Chronicles 32:15)
Sennacherib had blasphemed the living God and fancifully ridiculed the living
God as the God of Israel only. His rude and impertinent and intemperate behavior
filled with profane attitude was the reason for his downfall and punishment.
Yes! Here comes the downfall of Sennacherib, the proud king. The Lord sent an
angel who destroyed everyone in the Sennacherib’s camp and saved Hezekiah and
the inhabitants of Jerusalem from his hand. Thereafter many brought gifts unto
the Lord to Jerusalem and gifts to Hezekiah, who was magnified in the sight of
all the nations from then on.
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz,
prayed and cried to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the
mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of
Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he had come
into the house of his god, sons that came forth of his own body struck him down
there with the sword. (2 Chronicles 32:20-21)
The proud king of Assyria was defeated by the Lord and humble king Hezekiah was
exalted. Those who take refuge in the Lord will find victory in him and respect
in the sight of men.
Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of
Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided
them on every side. And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and
precious gifts to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight
of all nations from that time on. (2 Chronicles 32:22-23)