Pastor Michael Talley | September 8, 2024
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Isaiah 36-39
Good morning. If you have your Bible, please turn to Isaiah 36. We are halfway through our study in the book of Isaiah. One of the most unexpected discoveries I have made is that most of the book focuses on the kings of Judah. I didn’t expect myself to talk about Uzziah & Ahaz & Hezekiah so much. You might have thought – like I did – that the prophets came to bring a message to the people, & they certainly did at times. But Isaiah’s primary ministry was to the kings. It was the king’s job to lead the people spiritually. The prophets kept them honest. But, of course, as throughout most of Isaiah’s life, the kings refused to listen to him. Their ears were clogged; their hearts were hard.
The poor spiritual leadership of King Uzziah & especially King Ahaz had sent the nation into a tailspin of fear & anxiety & corruption & betrayal. Isaiah was forced to watch his beloved nation fall apart. By ch36, where we begin our story this morning, the nation of Judah was on her last thread. In fact, it’s probably unfair to speak of the “nation of Judah” at this point. It was really just a city. The Assyrians had taken 46 of the 47 cities in Judah, & the survivors from these little towns were huddled together in the 15-acre city of Jerusalem. That’s how far the nation had fallen. Oh, & at the beginning of 36, the Assyrians were knocking on the door, ready to invade. It was one of the darkest days in the history of God’s people. There was a legitimate possibility that the sun would set on an empty land. (This is what happens to a nation when its kings reject God).
But, as it turned out, according to God’s sovereign plan, a new king was on the throne: King Hezekiah. In the nation’s darkest hour, he had the humility to pray. This is what Isaiah has been preaching his entire ministry. In these chapters, we will find out if it actually works. Is faith in God a legitimate strategy in the real world of human affairs?
Let’s find out. We are going to study chapters 36-39 this morning. This is a tight unit that highlights the wonderful & complex legacy of King Hezekiah. This is a tricky corner of Isaiah to preach because of the way that Isaiah presents his life. Hezekiah was a hero, but like every hero, he was flawed. And you cannot escape the fact that Isaiah wants us to see those flaws. He doesn’t try to shave off the bumpy edges like most of us do when we talk about our heroes; Isaiah wants to expose them. I hope to explain why at the end of the sermon. This morning, we are going to look at the life of King Hezekiah, but we must look at the whole picture: the good, the bad, & the ugly. Or, to say it in biblical terms, we need to look at King Hezekiah’s faith, his mortality, and his pride. This will be the outline for the morning. Hezekiah’s faith, mortality, & pride.
Let’s start with the good stuff. In chapters 36 & 37, Hezekiah exhibited a type of faith that put him in the same category as King David. It’s stunning. Look at 1-2. [1] In the 14th year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. [2] And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field.
The situation could not have been any worse. As we already discussed, the Assyrians had cut through Judah & obliterated everything. The only town that remained was Jerusalem. The main Assyrian army was garrisoned about 30 miles southwest at a little town called Lachish. They had Egypt on their mind. But while they were in the area, the King of Assyria, Sennacherib, wanted to check Jerusalem off his to-do list. So he sent an emissary – the Rabshakeh – with a great army to intimidate the citizens of Jerusalem into a quick & bloodless submission.
Before we get into his speech, we need to pay attention to where he stood. In v2, we find that he was standing by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field. That seems like a throw-away detail, but it’s not. It’s very important. This was where, if you remember, Isaiah gave his first official speech in ministry, way back in ch7 to the terrified young King Ahaz. Look at v3. [3] And the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz… at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field. [4] And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint…
Those were the first words in Isaiah’s ministry. Isaiah knew this spot well. Of course, King Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s call to trust in God. He chose to partner with Assyria. Isaiah warned him: they might come through in the short-term, but if you trust in Assyria, they will come back to destroy you! Well, look what happened! The Assyrians were standing on the very spot where Ahaz failed. This little detail represents God’s poetic justice. You cannot rebel against him & get away with it. You will reap what you sow. (…) But I also think it represents God’s undeserved mercy. It feels like a 2nd chance. Jerusalem, the offer still stands if you want to turn to me in trust… Ahaz failed, but I am ready to save you…
In v4, the Rabshakeh begins his brutal speech. Look at the first few verses. – [4] And the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? [5] Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me? [6] Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. He will go on like this for the rest of the ch. This is not an organized speech; it’s a battering ram. He is trying to tear down every strand of confidence so they would quickly surrender. The Assyrians had the resources to pull off an invasion or an extended siege, but it was quicker & cheaper to force a surrender. So, he engaged in psychological warfare to terrify the people. The message can be boiled down to a single idea: you are all alone. You have nowhere to turn. Give us the keys to your city or we will come get them. Your choice.
The Assyrians had done their homework & they knew what the real issue was. In v5, he asked: [5] Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? Linger on that question. This had been Isaiah’s message for decades. Quietly turn to God. Don’t trust in alliances; don’t trust in horses. Put your faith in the Lord. Well, this philosophy might sound pleasant in times of peace, but how does it stand up against an army? The Rabshakeh is trying to make Isaiah’s message look foolish. In a battle, would you rather have words or a sword? A sentence or a gun? Faith is sentimental, but at the end of the day, we live in a world of power, not words. Talk is cheap. If you want anything in this life, you must go out & get it.
Hezekiah will put this philosophy to the test. At the end of the speech, he went into the temple, tore his clothes, & asked Isaiah to intercede for him. It’s a stunning development, the type of spiritual leadership the nation had not seen since David. Isaiah fired back a quick & assuring response. Look at c37, v6: [6] Isaiah said… ‘Thus says the LORD: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me. [7] Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’” I love this so much. “Don’t be afraid of these boys at your front door. God will take care of them with a whisper.” Isaiah didn’t see the most powerful army in the world; he saw a group of middle school boys causing trouble. This is what faith does. It puts our problems in perspective. Sure enough, the Rabshakeh was drawn away from Jerusalem because Sennacherib needed him in the south. But the Assyrians sent a threatening letter to King Hezekiah, warning them that they would return!
This is the set up for one of the greatest prayers in the Bible. When Hezekiah received the letter, he did not tear his clothes or cower in fear. He did not even go to Isaiah. Something had changed. The King went directly to God. He went into the temple, spread the letter before God, & offered this prayer. Look at c37, v16: [16] “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. [17] Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. [18] Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, [19] and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore, they were destroyed. [20] So now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD.”
I want to highlight 2 points about this prayer. First, notice how God-centered it is. Hezekiah spent most of the prayer acknowledging who God is. This might seem like a waste of time: the army is coming! Get to business. But this was the business. Hezekiah was humbling himself before the sovereign Lord of the universe. This should always the main business of our prayers. Hezekiah simply remembered that God was in charge. He was not just the God of the 15-acre city; he was the God of everything. He owns it all because he created it all, & because he created it all, he controls it all. I wonder how our lives would change if we spent this much time exploring the sovereignty of God in our prayers. I imagine that most of us bring our big problems to a vague & distant & small God. But when God becomes big, your problems become vague & small & distant. This is the power of prayer.
Second, notice why he asked for deliverance. He didn’t beg God to save the so they could keep their comfortable lives together. No, he asked for deliverance so that the kingdoms of the earth may know that he alone was Lord. Hezekiah understood the real issue. God was not respected among the nations. Hezekiah had proof in his hand – Sennacherib had the audacity to mock the living God. Hezekiah wanted God to act for the sake of his own glory. Lord, do this work so they will know that you are different.
From start to finish, Hezekiah’s prayer was focused on God. He humbled himself before a sovereign God & asked that God would be glorified in their salvation! This is it! The King of Judah finally got it. The text says that the Lord heard his prayer & answered in the most spectacular way. The Assyrian army was obliterated overnight. When the few survivors woke up, they found 185,000 dead bodies. (…) Are mere words a strategy for war? Well, I guess it depends on the words. (And who those words are prayed to).
Isaiah puts such a magnificent exclamation point at the end of ch37 that it feels like it must be the end of the book. He’s probably toward the end of his ministry at this point. Can you think of a more satisfying conclusion? For 37 chapters he had been beating the drum: Trust in God! He will save you! Faith in God is a legitimate strategy for life in the real world! Hezekiah vindicated his message. He could have ended here, & his book would still be cherished as one of the greatest works in human history.
But this is, in my opinion, where Isaiah set himself apart. The nation must have thrown a massive party that night, singing songs about the great Hezekiah, but Isaiah wasn’t content. Something kept nagging at him. Without diminishing Hezekiah’s greatness, Isaiah knew that he was not the long-awaited Messiah. This is not the child who would set up an everlasting kingdom & hold the government on his shoulders. He prayed a good prayer, but he was not the Prince of Peace. Hezekiah’s star was rising, but Isaiah had the wisdom to look beyond it. In chs38-39, he will show the rapid fall of King Hezekiah to make us hunger for something more. Let’s briefly look at these stories.
In ch38, Isaiah introduces us to Hezekiah’s mortality. Look at the first 3vs. [1] In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” [2] Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, [3] and said, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
As the story goes on, God heard Hezekiah’s prayer for healing & he graciously answered. He extended Hezekiah’s life by 15 years. Perhaps you have always viewed this story in a positive light. But I think it is mixed at best. On one hand, it does demonstrate that God is concerned about our physical health. There is no question about that. Jesus confirms that. God is concerned about the little details of our lives & it is most appropriate to come to him when we are physically sick. But unfortunately, I do not think this is a good template for us to pray when we are sick. I don’t know why we do this, but it seems like we are always scouring the Bible for a master key. Here’s the diet that will change your life; here’s the prayer that will unlock your future & guarantee healing. Don’t come to Isa38 for that kind of prayer. You probably noticed it, but this prayer is fundamentally different from the one he prayed in ch37. This one is self-centered (whiny?). Where is God’s sovereignty?
I believe that Isaiah included this chapter to show us that King Hezekiah was mortal. Yes, he got an extra 15 years, but he will still die relatively young. He was 39 when he got sick; he will die at 54. He was not the long-awaited Messiah. I believe Isaiah also included this story as a parable for the entire nation. Yes, God did save the city of Jerusalem from the hands of Assyria. But it was only a temporary extension, about 150 years. This will become abundantly clear in the next chapter.
In chapter 39, Isaiah gives us the 3rd & final story in King Hezekiah’s life & it is tragic. He will expose Hezekiah’s pride. Look at the first 3vs. – [1] At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters & a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. [2] And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. (teach them about the Lord, Hezekiah! The nations are coming to your door!) And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.
At this point in history, the Babylonians were not yet a global Empire. That would come in another 150 years. Merodach-baladan was basically a terrorist that was trying to recruit Jerusalem to join his rebel alliance to take down Assyria. He came at Hezekiah with flattery, & amazingly, Hezekiah took the bait. When Isaiah heard about it, he was livid. And he immediately predicted the fall of Jerusalem. Look at the final verses of this section: [6] Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. [7] And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” [8] Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”
What a punk! King Hezekiah had the faith to stand against the Assyrians at the front door, but his pride invited the Babylonians in the back door. And they would take the nation down. If you still had any doubts, they should be silenced by now: King Hezekiah is not the long-awaited Messiah. He was just another self-seeking leader in search of his own personal comfort. At least the destruction won’t happen in my day… whew.
With these words, we come to the end of the first section of Isaiah. One of Isaiah’s primary questions has been answered: Is God worthy of our trust? Is faith in God a legitimate strategy in the real world? YES. But the question we asked at the very beginning of this study remains: how will this rebellious nation become that righteous nation that God desires? They’re still not there yet. Isaiah knows that the healing must go deeper: God must drill to the core & remove their sins. This is the bigger problem than Assyria. How would God accomplish this? Was it even possible to remove their sins? That is the subject of Isaiah 40-66. And it’s one of the greatest sections in the Bible. Isaiah has written these first 39 chapters to make us hungry for the real Messiah! In ch40, Isaiah will begin dreaming of a Messiah whose kingdom would last forever; he would dream of a servant who would not beg for his own healing, but astonishingly, take on the sickness of his people for their healing. He would speak of a Messiah who refused to be drawn away by the pleasures of sin because he was on a mission to remove their sin. It’s remarkable. That’s what we have waiting for us over the next 5 weeks.
But as we close our time this morning, let me offer three quick lessons from the complex life of King Hezekiah.
First, we can learn from his faith. Don’t let the failures at the end of his life discount his faith. Hezekiah’s prayer stands as a wonderful model for us in our time of need. I imagine that many of you came into church today with an army at your front door. Your life is falling apart (maybe because of your own spiritual idolatry) & you are totally out of options. Humble yourself & pray like Hezekiah! Remember the sovereignty of God, & ask that whatever happens in your life, God would receive the glory! Don’t pray for outcomes; pray for his glory! This is a prayer that God loves to answer.
Second, let us learn from Hezekiah’s mortality. Life is short. I believe that we should pray for healing. James 5 commands it! Christians treasure life, & we hold on to every second God gives us. But remember this: even the most miraculous healings will only extend your life by a few years. Let us set our hearts on eternity. We have a better understanding of the afterlife than Hezekiah had so we don’t need to melt down. This text hit me in a very personal way this week. I had totally forgotten until I began the study, but the Lord remembered that exactly 15 years ago, to the day, I was in a room at Mission Hospital in Asheville, recovering from a major surgery on my gut. I was in so much pain when I went in for emergency surgery that I honestly did not expect to wake up. But I did. I learned a glorious truth that day that has been with me ever since: life is short, but God is good. When we learn to number our days, we get a heart of wisdom. As you come to the end of your life, you might think that your horizons are getting smaller; but if your heart is set on seeing Jesus, your horizons should only expand.
Finally, let us learn from Hezekiah’s pride. I think it is very interesting that Hezekiah was spiritually strong when he was physically weak. When he had nowhere to turn, he turned to God. Do not despise your weakness! But when he was rich & powerful & receiving compliments, he became spiritually weak. Spiritual success is often far more dangerous than an enemy at the gate. May we learn how to keep in step with the Spirit & walk in humility & faith on the difficult days, but also on the good days. Let’s pray.