LINK: 2 Kings 18
Parallel passages on the story of Hezekiah are found in 2 Chronicles 29-32 and Isaiah 36-39.
BACKGROUND
Judah finally has a good king, a really good king! Hezekiah "did right in the sight of the Lord." He took down the high places, broke the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and even broke apart the bronze serpent that Moses had made in the wilderness. Apparently, the people were worshiping the serpent. Hezekiah truly trusted the Lord, as opposed to many before him who only pretended to trust the Lord.
Assyria already took the kingdom of Israel among other countries in the area. When Sennacherib (king of Assyria) seized several fortified cities in Judah, King Hezekiah paid him tribute in an attempt to get him to withdraw. But Sennacherib did not withdraw and threatened Jerusalem with a siege. In his arrogance, the king of Assyria taunted and told the people that the God of Judah was no better than any other god. And since he had already overpowered the other gods in the area and taken their lands, Jerusalem and Judah should expect the same.
Stay tuned to see what happens in tomorrow's reading.
PRAYER
Let us cling to you, Lord, and never depart from following you. For you are the true God, not like any other god. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment