During Hezekiah's reign, the leader of Assyria besieged the city of Jerusalem and made boasts about how futile their attempts at battle would be against the mighty army of Assyria. Egypt would not help and God would not answer them - - according to the Assyrian leader. Isaiah also sends word to King Hezekiah "Don't be afraid of his words. He will hear a rumor, return to his own land and fall by the sword there."
After another round of threats, Hezekiah took the written demands of Assyria before the Lord, laid them out and pleaded for God to demonstrate His strength, power and glory. God answered Hezekiah's prayer and punished Sennacherib (the Assyrian leader) for his blasphemy. The Assyrians would not enter the city or even remain to build siege mounds. An angel went through the camp, killing 185,000 troops in their sleep; Sennacherib returned to Nineveh and was assassinated by his sons while worshiping in the temple of his false god.
Hezekiah was blessed with recovery from an illness, and his life was prolonged 15 years. The king responds with a psalm of joy for God's merciful dealings with him. Yet Hezekiah does not always respond with such wisdom. Later, when an envoy visits from Babylon, the king foolishly displays the entire wealth of Judah, arousing the interest in the Babylonians to siege and plunder the nation.
Yet, even in the midst of this troubling news, God provides words of comfort for His people. Judah, though doomed to captivity, would have a future day of peace and safety. God once again promises to send His promised One to rescue His people. God would punish His people, but He would not abandon them.
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