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2 Kings 19:20-34 – Praying through the Bible #121 – A Prayer that Humbles
Prayer is humbling. If it isn’t, we aren’t doing it right. After giving up on his own false solutions and defenses, Hezekiah turns to God in prayer. First, he asks Isaiah to pray (2 Kings 19.1-4). Isaiah responds with God’s answer of salvation (19.5-6). Then Hezekiah kneels before God Himself and prays (19.14-19). God’s answer is humbling.
Shockingly, God calls Israel “Virgin Daughter Zion” (19.21). This is the same city God called a prostitute (Hosea). Only God can turn a prostitute into a virgin. If God can do that, He can save Jerusalem from the world’s first Super Power War Machine. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that restores spiritual virginity to me.
Alarmingly, God asks and answers His own questions. When someone does that, you’re in big trouble! The Assyrians had mocked, blasphemed, raised their voice and lifted their eyes in pride against the Holy One of Israel (19.22). How? By taking credit for their own accomplishments. That should sound trembling alarm bells in all. Are we guilty of pride by saying, “I have done this,” and “I have done that” (19.23-24)?
Powerfully, God declares, “I designed it long ago; I planned it in days gone by. I have now brought it to pass” (19.25). Although Assyria “crushed fortified cities into piles of rubble” (19.25), it was God planned and approved. Assyria’s brutality was not part of God’s plan, but He was the power behind the throne. Assyria’s brutality will be reaped, “I will put my hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth” (19.28). Assyrians literally put hooks into people dragging them into captivity (2 Chron.33.11):
“One look at the graphic portrayals on archaeological reliefs that depicted their enemies’ headless and handless corpses; their captives being blinded, impaled, or flayed alive; or the lucky ones being led off to exile with hooks through their jaws is convincing enough to conclude that the Assyrians were not an enemy one wanted to annoy” (The Stones Cry Out, Price 265).
Defiantly, God protects Jerusalem proclaiming Sennacherib will not even “shoot an arrow there” (19.32-33). That night the angel of the LORD struck 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Never again did Sennacherib enter into the land of Judah although he lived for 20 more years. God frightened away little Sennacherib.
Humbling, God says “I will defend this city and rescue it for My sake and for the sake of My servant David” (19.34). This is humbling because God doesn’t save Jerusalem for Hezekiah’s sake. Maybe we should consider all the answers where God says “yes” to us to be for Jesus’ sake. Maybe that is why we pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer Challenge: If we could hear God’s answers to our prayers, what would He say? Do we think God says “yes” because we are so good? Are we better than Hezekiah?
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