Christ-Light Connections: Hezekiah and the Assyrian Attack & Hezekiah’s Sickness

In a world infected by sin, we will face all kinds of troubles throughout our lives. What we face and suffer will be different and unique to each of us. Some trials will test our faith causing weakness, fear, and doubt. Yet, we always have a God who is changeless and unwavering. His promises are sure and will always bring us comfort.

The Christ-Light theme this week is God promises to help believers in times of trouble.

OT3 10A

Hezekiah and the Assyrian Attack — 2 Kings 18:1-19:30, 33-37

Context

Although God repeatedly called Israel to repentance, they continued to worship idols and carry out the practices of the surrounding heathen nations. After generations of rejecting God, God finally rejected them. In 722 BC, just a few years before this story, Israel was taken captive by Assyria. The residents were deported to the surrounding nations. Over time, they intermarried with the gentiles and ceased to exist as a nation. 

Big Ideas

Hezekiah did what was Right in the Eyes of the LORD (2 Kings 18:1-6)

The previous king, Ahaz, rebelled against the LORD by saturating the land with altars for idols. They were built on every street corner in Jerusalem and all over Judah. He also stripped the LORD’s temple of its furnishings and adopted heathen worship practices including child sacrifice. 

Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah, was a light of faith after a generation of darkness. He destroyed the idols, the altars, and the high places. He restored the LORD’s temple and reinstated proper worship practices. 2 Chronicles 29-31 goes into more detail about the revival during his reign.

On Whom are You Depending? (2 Kings 18:17-37, 19:8-12)

Sennacherib’s commander asks the perfect question in verse 20. “On whom are you depending?”

The commander was attempting to destroy Judah’s confidence by mocking the warriors and listing all of the gods of the land. So far, no other army or god was able to stand against Sennacherib. The Northern Kingdom had already been conquered, and the fortified cities of Judah were captured. Why should Jerusalem be any different? Did Jerusalem have reason to hope their God was more powerful than the other gods who had already been conquered?

When faced with trials, how would we answer the question, “On whom or what are you depending?” I wish my answer was “Jesus, only Jesus,” but my honest answer would probably sound more like “my mind, my abilities, my money, my friends, my government, and Jesus if I happen to need him.” Occasionally, God allows us to lose what we depend on so that we are reminded that we only need to depend on him.

Conversation Starter:

• Can you name a time you lost something you depended on? What did you go through? How did it affect your faith?

Hezekiah’s Prayer (2 Kings 19:14-19)

Hezekiah had nothing left to depend on but the LORD. He sought the LORD in the temple clinging to the hope that his God was more powerful than the gods that had already been destroyed. Hezekiah did not worship a man-made god, but rather the God who created all things. 

Hezekiah prayed for two things: the deliverance of his people and that the LORD would make it known to all nations that he alone is God. 

Conversation Starter:

• What can we learn about prayer from Hezekiah?

The LORD’s Answer (2 Kings 19:20-37)

In response to Sennacherib’s egotistical mockery, the LORD of Creation reminds him of reality. Sennacherib and Assyria had been tools of God’s judgment on the unbelieving nations (2 Kings 19:25). It was part of God’s plan that Sennacherib would illegitimize the idols of the land and punish the people for their faithlessness. Now it was time for Sennacherib to be judged for his unbelief and rage against the true God. 

Softly, the LORD turned to Hezekiah and promised years of rest and the survival of a remnant. The promises that he made generations ago to Abraham and David would be upheld. 

Conversation Starters:

• Why do you think the LORD chose to defeat the Assyrians by himself instead of enabling the people to do it?
• The Angel of the LORD is also considered to be the 2nd person of the Trinity, Jesus. What enemy did he defeat by himself?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides Law and Gospel points as well as application questions.

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OT3 10B

Hezekiah’s Sickness — 2 Kings 20:1-11

Context

Hezekiah had now been king for about 14 years and was around 39 years old. He had already stared death in the face when Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem and had witnessed God’s might as he destroyed the Assyrian army. 

Big Ideas

Hezekiah’s Illness (2 Kings 20:1-3)

Although the LORD had delivered Hezekiah from Sennacherib, he now faced a new enemy, death. Still, in the prime of his life, Hezekiah was not ready to leave earth but desired to have more time to praise the LORD and teach his children of the LORD’s faithfulness (Isaiah 38:19). 

Hezekiah’s prayer was not a request based on his own goodness but was based on his relationship with God. Because of faith, Hezekiah was devoted to the LORD, and because of faith, he was good in the LORD’s eyes. The chapters after this show that Hezekiah was indeed a sinful king in need of rescue from his own evil heart.

Conversation Starters:

• What would pray if you knew you were about to die?

The LORD’s Answer and Sign (2 Kings 20:4-11)

As if he couldn’t wait to show his child love, and before Isaiah could even leave, God sent Hezekiah his answer. He would heal him and give him fifteen more years on earth. There were no conditions and no strings attached, just life. But the healing was not instant as many biblical miracles usually were. Hezekiah had to wait three days for his figurative resurrection. 

To reassure Hezekiah, he was given a sign. God sent the shadows in the wrong direction as if to remind Hezekiah of his subtle power over all creation. All things are under his control.

The following chapters include Hezekiah’s failings and transgressions. Although the LORD gave him 15 more years, it was a life still infected by sin. Hezekiah still needed the LORD to rescue him from one more enemy. The readers of 2 Kings are left looking forward to greater and more complete salvation yet to come.

Conversation Starters:

• Read Isaiah 38:17. How was this for Hezekiah’s benefit?
• Why do you think God made Hezekiah wait three days? (Of what other resurrection does this remind you?)

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides Law and Gospel points as well as application questions.