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Isaiah 37:1-38:22


The benefits and advantages of reading through two bible-reading programs has surfaced today. In the other program I use 2 Chronicles 32 is the Old Testament passage. Juxtaposed with or passage for today, I see something I’ve wondered about and never fully grasped until today. Today I see a time line. In fact this revelation gives me more understanding of the Galatians passage Mike has highlighted, >> I love verse 1 - "Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." This is such a great teaching. And one that I have a hunch we do not follow often enough... >> (This passage comes with several caveats— one being conditional based on the words, “you who are godly…” I don’t know if Paul is using a bit of sarcasm, but everyone who is a Christian is not godly—and we are also warned to be careful and not to fall in the same temptation we are trying to rescue the person from. This means you must really no yourself and not operate from a position of what you want to be. The question needs to be asked, “Why would there be a strong warning not to fall into the same temptation?” ‘cause we are usually hit with an argument from the person who is falling into sin on why it is not a sin and if you have do not have a good understanding of what you believe and why, you will fall into the same pit your are trying to pull someone out from. . In addition, a lovely preacher once said, “Don’t preach in a bar if you like wine.”

Jerusalem was under attach only after Sennacherib, Assyria’s general, had destroyed all the other fortified cities in Judah, thus the use of the word “remnant” in today’s readings. As Anka has already mentioned, the God of Judah, was Isaiah’s God way before Hezekiah prayed to Him directly and He became Hezekiah’s God. We also see that the king of Judah became deathly ill AFTER the victory and his song or praise to God came AFTER his healing. But why was Hezekiah allowed to become sick, “Pride” In the 37th chapter we read what God spoke about and against Assyria:

Isa 37:26 Certainly you must have heard!
Long ago I worked it out,
in ancient times I planned it,
and now I am bringing it to pass.
The plan is this:
Fortified cities will crash
into heaps of ruins.
Isa 37:27 Their residents are powerless;
they are terrified and ashamed.
They are as short-lived as plants in the field
or green vegetation.
They are as short-lived as grass on the rooftops
when it is scorched by the east wind.
Isa 37:28 I know where you live
and everything you do
and how you rage against me.
Isa 37:29 Because you rage against me
and the uproar you create has reached my ears,
I will put my hook in your nose,
and my bridle between your lips,
and I will lead you back
the way you came."

If we flip back to our readings, we did in 2 Chronicles 32, 2 Chronicles 32 we get, “the rest of the story.”

The LORD sent a messenger and he wiped out all the soldiers, princes, and officers in the army of the king of Assyria. So Sennacherib returned home humiliated. When he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword. The LORD delivered Hezekiah and the residents of Jerusalem from the power of King Sennacherib of Assyria and from all the other nations. He made them secure on every side. Many were bringing presents to the LORD in Jerusalem and precious gifts to King Hezekiah of Judah. From that time on he was respected by all the nations. In those days Hezekiah was stricken with a terminal illness. He prayed to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a sign confirming that he would be healed. But Hezekiah was ungrateful; he had a proud attitude, provoking God to be angry at him, as well as Judah and Jerusalem. But then Hezekiah and the residents of Jerusalem humbled themselves and abandoned their pride, and the LORD was not angry with them for the rest of Hezekiah's reign. Hezekiah was very wealthy and greatly respected. He made storehouses for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, and all his other valuable possessions. He made storerooms for the harvest of grain, wine, and olive oil, and stalls for all his various kinds of livestock and his flocks. He built royal cities and owned a large number of sheep and cattle, for God gave him a huge amount of possessions. Hezekiah dammed up the source of the waters of the Upper Gihon and directed them down to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah succeeded in all that he did. So when the envoys arrived from the Babylonian officials to visit him and inquire about the sign that occurred in the land, God left him alone to test him, in order to know his true motives. The rest of the events of Hezekiah's reign, including his faithful deeds, are recorded in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, included in the Scroll of the Kings of Judah and Israel. Hezekiah passed away and was buried on the ascent of the tombs of the descendants of David. All the people of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem buried him with great honor. His son Manasseh replaced him as king.
(2 Chronicles 32:21-33 NET.)


Hezekiah fell into the same sin the king of Assyria fell into, Pride. He did not realize that he was part of God’s plan. Instead, he thought that God was part of his plan. Pride blinds you into thinking, “It’s all about you.” The King of Assyria thought he was bigger than Israel and Judah’s God, he too did not know that he was part of a plan. He thought he was, “All that and a bag of chips,” he thought he was a God slayer because he had slain other gods.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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