ISAIAH 36-39

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 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…
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.