Hezekiah Seeks the Lord in Assyrias Threat
Humble prayer invites divine intervention.
Isaiah 37:1-7 (BSB)
1 On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.
2 And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz
3 to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them.
4 Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”
5 So the servants of King Hezekiah went to Isaiah,
6 who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me.
7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”
What is the big idea of Isaiah 37:1-7?
Humble prayer invites divine intervention.
How does Isaiah 37:1-7 point to Christ?
Isaiah 37:1-7 reveals that humble prayer in crisis draws God’s attentive response. The gospel assures believers that Christ intercedes for his people and that no blasphemous power can thwart God’s saving purpose.
Authorial Intent
To portray Hezekiah’s humble response to crisis and the LORD’s promise to answer Assyria’s blasphemy.
Chapter: Isaiah 37
Hezekiah’s Prayer and the LORD’s Deliverance from Assyria
When Assyria blasphemes the living God and threatens Zion, Hezekiah brings the matter before the LORD, and the LORD vindicates His name, defends His city, preserves His remnant, and judges the proud enemy by His own power.