2 Kings 18 Hezekiah Pt 3

Hezekiah and the people put Judah right before the Lord. Judah pulls away from Assyria but Sennacherib is having none of it!

I have to back up in our story a little. When we ended last time, I had Hezekiah going throughout Judah breaking down all the altars. I started reading in 2 Chronicles 31 about what actually happened. THE PEOPLE who had come to the Passover feast went home and ‘cleaned house’ throughout the land. And it didn’t end at the boundaries of Judah. Those who came from the tribes of Israel did the same in their lands.

After dealing with the idols and altars and every other abominable thing, the people’s hearts are wide open to the Lord. Hezekiah reminds the people of the offerings and support that Moses commanded they render to the Levites. And he organized the Levites to minister to the people.

Even though Judah is walking with the Lord, Sennacherib is still a problem. Let’s walk with the Spirit in the land of Judah as it turns back to the Lord with ALL its heart.

♥ ♦ ♥

There is an afterglow and a commitment in all the people who attended the Passover celebration. These two weeks have brought them closer to God than they ever thought possible. EVERY heart is committed to stamping out idolatry in the land.

The people return to their cities, and together, go through the hills and valleys looking for every high place, Asheim pole, and incense altar. With no command but that of the Lord in their hearts, the people destroy these things and grind them into dust.

This doesn’t just happen in the boundaries of Judah. Those who came from the tribes of Israel do likewise in their towns and cities. By the time the people are done, Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh are all cleansed of the gods that had taken root in their hearts and homes over the years. There was only ONE God left and it was the God of Israel who had birthed them as a people and a nation. When the people had finished cleansing the land, they returned to their homes and their hearts grew even stronger in the Lord.

While the people are cleansing the land, Hezekiah is putting things in order in the Temple. He appoints priests by their order, and service, according to the Law of Moses, to do the work in the Temple. “For burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the Lord and to give thanks and praise” (2 Chronicles 31:2). And he gives of his own flocks the animals required for the burnt offerings: “the burnt offerings of morning and evening, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts, as it is written in the Law of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 31:3).

Hezekiah then turns to the people of Jerusalem. “It is time that you each honor the Lord by presenting to Him what is commanded in the Law of Moses for the support of the Temple and those who minister to the people. Bring your tithes and first fruits to the Lord as befitting the people He has called as His own.”

Hezekiah doesn’t have to ask twice. As soon as the people hear his command, the contributions come pouring, and not just from the people in the city. The people from all over Judah start bringing their tithes and offerings to the Temple. There is so much coming in that piles begin to form. First one pile, then another. The piles grow each day.

Four months after Hezekiah’s command, he goes to look at the state of things. He is shocked by the amount that remains in piles. “Are the priests and Levites being cared for from this? Why is this not being distributed to them?”

“Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left, for the Lord has blessed his people, so that we have this large amount left” (2 Chronicles 31:10).

Hezekiah is very pleased with the answer. But these piles cannot be left out unattended. “Prepare more rooms in the Temple for storing the contributions of the people. Also, repair any damage or neglect that has occurred. Also, ensure that all your brothers are enrolled in the rolls of the Levites and that they too are cared for. Even those in the fields.”

As Judah is getting closer to the Lord, Israel is moving further away. Hoshea is not blind to what is happening in Judah. He sees the prosperity of the people and of Hezekiah and he is envious. He also hates the hold Assyria has over both kingdoms. Hoshea has tried several times to get Hezekiah to join with him against Assyria, but Hezekiah refuses. Hezekiah has learned from God’s judgment on previous kings NOT to ally himself with those who are not serving the Lord.

Hezekiah watches Israel as Hoshea continues to search out allies. And he sees when Shalmaneser king of Assyria comes up a besieges Samaria. Hezekiah’s heart goes out to the people of Israel. “If only they turned and sought their God” he laments. He prays for three years that they will turn and repent. That the Lord will save them.

They don’t turn so He doesn’t spare them. Hezekiah watches as Samaria falls and the people are taken to Assyria. His heart breaks for them, but there is nothing he can do.

Things quiet back down for a while and Hezekiah decides to break away from Assyria on his own. He trusts in the Lord to watch over Judah. He begins by withholding the tribute required under the agreement his abba made with Tiglath-pileser. Being that Judah was a willing servant, he hopes that Assyria will let them go on about their own way.

In the fourteenth year of the reign of Hezekiah, Assyria decides they don’t like Judah breaking away. Sennacherib goes after the cities of Judah, as Hezekiah knew they would.

King Hezekiah is in his throne room hearing concerns of the day brought by the people. The one he is currently dealing with is regarding ancient boundary lines. One man claims the other has moved them. Just as he is about to render his ruling the doors burst open and in rushes one of his trusted guards.

Hezekiah can read the distress in his face the moment it clears the doorframe. He holds a quieting hand out to the two men he had been dealing with and motions with the other for his guard to approach.

“What is it?”

“My lord, forgive the intrusion but I have just received word that Assyria is on the march again. They took Hebron two days ago and are now headed towards Lachish. At this rate they will be at the city wall of Jerusalem in less than a week.”

“Clear the room” calls out Hezekiah.

The men who were just arguing before him have lost all bluster. There are MUCH more important concerns now than the corner of a piece of property. They realize they may lose it all if Assyria continues its current conquest. They make their way out of the king’s throne room without another word.

Hezekiah stays his guard from leaving as the room is being emptied. He needs answers that the guard will most likely be able to provide.

“Does Sennacherib march with them” he asks as soon as the doors close.

“It is not clear my king but there does appear to be an upper guard as shown in the colors they are flying.”

“Good. Perhaps it is not too late. Fetch a messenger immediately.”

The guard rushes off to find a messenger for the king. He returns in short order with the best man he knows for the job. Both stand before the king and await his command.

“Take this down; ‘I have done wrong; withdraw from me. Whatever you impose on me I will bear’ (2 Kings 18:14b).”

The messenger quickly pens the king’s message and blots it dry before he presents it to him to look over. Hezekiah carefully reads it. After looking it over, Hezekiah seals it with his signet ring and passes it back to the messenger.

“Get this as close to Sennacherib as possible. Work your way through the ranks if necessary.” Hezekiah then addresses his guard. “You go with him and ensure his safety. This message MUST reach Sennacherib if the people are to have a chance.”

The two men turn on their heels and set off at a running pace. They clear the doors of the throne room in three strides. They should reach Lachish about the same time the Assyrian forces do. They will be carrying the king’s banner with them to ensure they are not thought to be attacking troops.

Hezekiah, loath to sit and wait, begins an inventory of what he has on hand to appease the king of Assyria. He expects the price to be high and demanded in gold and silver. His latest repair of the Temple has cut down the surplus significantly. The doors and doorposts had been recently recovered in gold. The inventory is completed before nightfall. All that remains is to wait.

The messengers reach the forward ranks of the advancing army about the same time the inventory is completed. The king’s colors grant them safety as they are passed through the ranks of the camp to its very center. Here they come face to face with Sennacherib’s highest officials. The king did accompany his forces but they have to pass before his officers first to ensure the king’s safety.

“Speak dog” barks the Rabshakeh.

Hezekiah’s guard is not used to being addressed in this manner but the importance of his mission trumps his pride. He inclines his head, takes the message from the hands of the messenger and steps toward the Rabshakeh.

“My king, Hezekiah, has sent an urgent message for your great king, Sennacherib.”

The guard looks at the scroll being held out towards him. The wax seal of the king is facing him. It appears unbroken and genuine.

“I will take it to Sennacherib myself” growls the Rabshakeh and snatches the scroll from the guard’s hand.

The runner and the guard are ushered back outside the camp. “It looks as though the ‘great Sennacherib’ will have his own messengers relay his reply. We should go home” says the guard.

“I agree. I don’t want to be here a moment longer than is absolutely necessary.”

Moments later Sennacherib is breaking the seal on the scroll and reading it. He begins to laugh as he reads Hezekiah’s words.

“So the great king of Judah finally decides to humble himself. He has been too proud to pay homage until we are at his doorstep. Let’s see how much lower he will go. Send him this reply; ‘The great king of Assyria demands no less than three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold be delivered to him within three days’ time.’”

The Rabshakeh grins at the demand of the king. This is an exorbitant amount to require in one payment. Surely the king of Judah will fail to meet the demand and doom himself and his people to destruction. He is looking forward to seeing the impotent king’s face as he is given the cost of his life.

Sennacherib easily reads the Rabshakeh’s glee and desire behind it.

“You will not be the one delivering this message my faithful servant.”

The Rabshakeh’s face falls at these words but he recovers quickly and schools his countenance in a neutral expression. He realizes his error in allowing his king to see his excitement earlier. It seems as if Sennacherib takes delight in disappointing others and dashing their hopes. By showing his on his face he set himself up for disappointment.

Sennacherib secretly congratulates himself as he watches the Rabshakeh go through the mental processes of disappointment and resignation. He believes it is best to keep your servants humble and under your complete control.

“Have the Tartan deliver the message to the king of Judah. Do not fret though my friend as I have plans for you yet.”

The Rabshakeh bows then leaves to relay the king’s answer and directions to the Tartan. Within the hour the Tartan is on his way to Jerusalem. The city gates are shut for the night when he arrives. Rather than camping outside the city for the night he calls out to the gatekeeper.

“Open in the name of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. I have a reply from his lips for the king of Judah.”

The gatekeeper is reluctant to open the gate as he fears it may be a trick. He quickly sends his runner for the captain of the guard. Once the captain arrives the two men discuss the matter while the Tartan waits on the other side of the gate.

Not used to being denied or even delayed the Tartan begins to rattle the gate.

“Open now before I return to my master and he bids me to burn your gates to the ground!”

The gatekeeper reluctantly agrees and the two men remove the bar from the door in the gate to allow the Tartan entrance. The captain escorts the Tartan through the city to the palace. A runner had been sent ahead to inform the king of the arrival of an answer from Sennacherib.

Hezekiah is on his throne by the time the Tartan and the captain reach him. He motions both men into the room as soon as they arrive.

“You have a message for me” inquires Hezekiah.

“I do. ‘The great king of Assyria demands no less than three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold be delivered to him within three days’ time.’”

Hezekiah knew the price would be high but he was not expecting such a large sum be delivered so quickly. The problem isn’t necessarily the size of the payment but the short time to raise it. There will be no time for Hezekiah to gather it in taxes from the people and what he has on hand isn’t enough.

“Make our guest comfortable for the night. He will have my answer in the morning.”

The captain escorts the Tartan to his chambers for the night. He also arranges for a meal to be brought to him. His final act is to station guards outside the chambers of the Tartan. The Tartan is not surprised by the guards, as it would be something he would have done in the captain’s place but he feels duty bound to object.

“You treat me as a prisoner? I am an envoy of the great king Sennacherib. He will be most displeased to hear how his servants are treated.”

“No disrespect is intended Tartan. The guard is for your safety. It would be very difficult to explain to Sennacherib if any harm should befall you.”

“Are you saying that I am not safe within the king’s own palace?”

“Not so my lord. My task, as the king’s captain, is to be on guard at all times; whether I deem it safe or not.”

“Very well then. You may extend me the courtesy of protection but nothing more.”

Once the Tartan is safely behind a closed door the captain instructs his men to not only ‘protect’ the Tartan but to protect the king if the Tartan decides to move about in the night.

“Are we to restrain him if he does” asks one of the guard.

“Not unless he is carrying a weapon or nears the king’s chambers. Keep close eyes on him wherever he goes.”

The guards both salute the captain before he leaves. They will not fail in their duty. Their replacements will be fully briefed also before they relinquish their posts.

The captain makes his way back to the throne room to report on their guest’s accommodations. When he enters the throne room, he sees the king pacing the floor. This is very distressing to him.

“My king, may I be of service?”

Hezekiah stops in his tracks and looks over to the captain.

“Not unless you have any ideas how to come up with another five talents of gold in two days.”

The captain understands the king’s distress as he heard the message along with the king. Sennacherib is not known for his mercy. The towns of Judah are falling like leaves in autumn under his feet. Jerusalem is depending on their king for deliverance. Summoning all the bravery he has, the captain questions his king.

“Where have you looked for resources?”

Hezekiah takes no offense and immediately answers the captain’s question.

“I began preparations as soon as I sent the message to Sennacherib, I emptied my storehouse and that of the Temple. I called in any debts owed and took whatever payment was immediately available. I had hoped it would be enough but I am still lacking.”

“Are there any items of gold that could be melted down?”

“The bracelets of the queen have already been counted in as well as any chains of gold or silver. The only thing held out is my own crown. I would gladly include it if it cleared up the difference.”

“What of items within the Temple” asks the captain with trepidation.

“I would NEVER melt the items of worship belonging to the Lord. I did include the pieces brought in by my father and what was stripped when he dismantled the carts.”

Both men are silent as they continue to think over their desperate problem. The captain has a flash of memory of when he was guarding the workers and supplies as the Temple doors and doorposts were being repaired. The smiths were melting pure gold and overlaying the previous layers that were worn.

“My king, I have an idea. Please hear me out before making a decision.”

Hezekiah looks intently at his captain. The captain’s own words tell Hezekiah that he will probably not like the solution presented but he is desperate.

“Speak. I will listen.”

“Some months ago, I oversaw a refurbishment project in the Temple. The doors and doorposts were being overlaid again with gold…”

Hezekiah can already see where this is going and he begins to bristle at the thought of tearing into the Lord’s House. The captain rushes on before Hezekiah can voice his objections.

“…The Lord has blessed us greatly even before you undertook this task. The gold applied was a gift; an expression of thanksgiving. It is not vital for the structure of the Temple or the worship of the Lord. And it was a vast amount of gold that was used in this process. It would surely make up the shortfall.”

Hezekiah’s shoulders drop as he resigns himself to the captain’s reasoning. It will take time to strip the gold back off the doors and doorposts. If this is to be his solution work will have to begin immediately.

“We will need to begin immediately in order to have the task completed in time. Send men to the homes of the smiths who completed the work. Impress upon them the urgency of the task.”

The captain bows and then hurries to the garrison to dispatch his men on their tasks.

By dawn the smiths were already hard at work. They paused long enough for the morning sacrifice to be offered to the Lord then returned to their work. Most of the gold is on the inside of the Temple and out of view of the people. This is advantageous when it comes to keeping their work and progress secret from the Tartan. He has decided to wander around the city before meeting with the king. The guards appointed to him are never more than a few steps away during his roaming.

Hezekiah summons the Tartan after completing his morning meal. He is stalling without being obvious. He is waiting a report from the captain on whether or not the smiths feel they will be able to recover enough of the gold to meet Sennacherib’s demands.

As Hezekiah is making his way into his throne room the captain approached him.

“What news do you have?”

“The smiths inform me that they should be able to remove eight to ten talents of gold from the doors and doorposts. Eight if they work on the inside only. Ten if they remove what is visible to the people.”

“Tell them to do the eight. It will be enough and the people will not suffer.”

“Plus the Tartan will be none the wiser.”

“This is true. I will see him now and answer his king’s demand.”

The two part ways as both attend to tasks they would rather not be doing. They will do them none the less.

The Tartan is ushered into the throne room after the king is seated.

“I trust you slept well” offers Hezekiah.

“As well as can be expected when one is away from home.”

Hezekiah nods his understanding.

“As to the demands of your king, I will meet them as stated.”

“You have the resources required?”

“I do. I am assembling them even now. They will be ready when required, not a moment earlier.”

The Tartan eyes Hezekiah with skepticism but doesn’t call him out as a liar. He will let time prove out the words of Judah’s king.

“I will await the delivery of your tribute at Lachish.”

“You are welcome to wait and escort it back yourself.”

“I have been away from my post too long as it is. I trust your men will be able to find me when the time comes.”

“As you wish.”

Hezekiah is MORE than happy to see the Tartan leave but hospitality dictates that he at least make the offer of accommodations. The Tartan nods to Hezekiah and makes his way directly out of the city and back to his post in Lachish.

The next two days are spent in stripping and recasting the gold into coins. Hezekiah wants no connection made between the gold and the Temple. If Sennacherib knows of the wealth within the Temple he might decide to forego the tribute and take Jerusalem anyway.

Morning of the appointed day dawns and the captain is guarding the gold. The gold that once adorned the doors and doorposts of the Temple. He feels a twinge of guilt in suggesting this avenue to Hezekiah but he also knows there was no other way. He and his men will escort the tribute to Lachish and present it to Sennacherib.

The journey is uneventful as the company makes its way to Lachish. It is a small company of fifty so as not to appear to the Assyrians as an opposing force. They reach Lachish by midday. A guard at his post halts them just outside the city.

“What business do you have here” demands the guard in charge.

“We have come to meet with the Tartan. We bring the tribute required by Sennacherib from Hezekiah, king of Judah” replies the captain.

“Wait here.”

The guard sends a runner to locate the Tartan and inform him of the envoy. The runner and the Tartan arrive in short order.

“Captain, how nice to see you again” the Tartan offers with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“And you also Tartan” replies the captain. “Two can play this game” he thinks as he also offers a false smile.

“I was beginning to wonder if you would make it on time.”

“My king abides by his word. I bear the tribute required. Three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. You may inspect it if you wish.”

“Thirty talents of gold? Did I not say thirty five?”

“You did not. Your words were very clear.”

“Fine. I will take your word for it. Let me see it.”

The Tartan makes a great show of inspecting the content of the tribute before waving the captain to follow him.

“We will present this together to my king. He will want to ensure it is complete also.”

The captain nods and begins to follows the Tartan. Before going ten paces the Tartan stops and turns back to the group of Judean soldiers.

“You alone will accompany me” he says while pointing to the captain. “Your men will wait here, under my protection.”

Assyrian guards step closer to the company of Judean soldiers. The captain quickly slashes his hand across his chest instructing his soldiers to keep their swords sheathed. They may be the best fighting men of Judea but the odds of them surviving a battle while in the heart of the Assyrian camp are too small to calculate.

“I will need some of my men to carry the tribute.”

“My men will be only too glad to assist you with this.”

The Tartan waves his hand and four soldiers step forward and lift the tribute from its resting place on the cart it is transported on. It hangs heavily between them. The Tartan turns and resumes making his way to where Sennacherib waits. The captain and the guards carrying the tribute fall in behind him. No words are spoken as the group crosses the camp and makes its way into the city.

Sennacherib has confiscated the most lavish house in the city and made it his own. The Tartan leads the group through the gates and onto the doorstep. Here they wait to be announced and summoned by Sennacherib. Their wait is not long and soon they are standing before the king of Assyria, arrayed in all his splendor.

Sitting at a long table piled high with food is Sennacherib. Every finger on his hands is adorned with two rings. His robe is of the deepest purple and is puddled behind and beside him. His crown is jewel encrusted and ornate in its metal work. Strands of gold are woven together to form braids and then draped from multiple points along upper posts. Gold studs ring the base with leaves of gold forming a gleaming garland just above them.

The captain recognizes the deliberate show of wealth meant to intimidate the ‘poor’ man from Judah. He doesn’t fall for it in the least. He holds his head high as he faces the king of Assyria and offers the tribute from his king.

“O king, I present to you the tribute required from the hand of king Hezekiah of Judah.”

“Have you counted it” Sennacherib snarls at the Tartan.

“I have my king. It is three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. Exactly as instructed.”

The captain notices that the Tartan didn’t try to inflate the price when speaking with his king.

“And is it on time to meet the deadline” asks Sennacherib.

“Just barely my king” replies the Tartan.

Sennacherib doesn’t seem anxious to inspect it himself. He is busy with the delicacies before him on the table. No one moves from where they are standing while Sennacherib devours more of his meal. He finally looks up as if just now realizing he is being observed and waves a hand in dismissal.

“You can go now” he calls out between bites.

The captain bows slightly in respect while the others do so deeply. They all turn as one and leave Sennacherib to his meal. They don’t feel his eyes upon them as soon as their backs are to him. He is NOT pleased with the king of Judah. He wasn’t supposed to be able to raise the tribute so soon. He will have to come up with another plan to take Jerusalem.

The captain and his men quickly retrace their steps back to Jerusalem. They are more than happy to be done with that task. The captain goes straight to the palace upon entering the city. The king is awaiting his report.

“How did it go” asks Hezekiah.

“The Tartan tried to change the terms initially but he relented. Sennacherib accepted the tribute without question but seems to have gone out of his way to impress me with his wealth.”

“How is that?”

“He was dressed in a manner appropriate for meeting high ranking dignitaries but was seated at an overflowing table instead. It felt as if he wanted me to comment on his display or be in awe of it somehow.”

“You are a very perceptive man. I have no doubt you saw his intentions clearly but why would he be doing this?”

“I have no idea. Maybe he just likes being showy. I do not trust the man. I fear he may go back on his word.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he does, but how can he continue to rule? His men knew the terms of the agreement. A king is nothing without his word.”

“You, my king, honor your word but I have my doubts about that king. He may rule by other means.”

“You may be right. We must prepare the people, just in case.”

“What would you have them do? Most are not soldiers. They cannot stand and fight against such an army.”

“I don’t think Sennacherib would send military forces right away. He would probably try the tactics of dividing the people and pitting them against their leaders.”

“How can we protect against such a strategy?”

“I will address the people directly in the morning. It is time they know the truth and what may still be to come.”

The captain nods his head in agreement. There is nothing more to say so he is dismissed by the king and returns to his chambers in the garrison. Here he will ponder the future of his people. And he will pray for their rescue.

Hezekiah spends the remaining hours of the day sending out dispatches to the various districts within the city, calling them to assemble following the morning sacrifice. He also spends time contemplating what he will say to the people whom the Lord has entrusted to him.

The aroma from the morning sacrifice still hangs in the air as Hezekiah stands on the steps of the Temple. The whole of Jerusalem is assembled before him. He waits until the noise of conversation dies down before beginning to address the people.

“I have called you here today to tell you of what is transpiring now between Assyria and our people. Many, if not all, of you know of the Assyrian forces that have been marching through Judah, falling cities in their path. You probably are also aware of the fact that I refused to serve Assyria as their vassal. My father, king Ahaz had chosen that path for reasons of his own. But things have changed since I severed those ties of bondage to our people.

We were in serious danger of becoming one of the cities that fall to Sennacherib. I humbled myself before Assyria on behalf of my people and offered tribute to their king. His demand was heavy and required even the gold that had been overlaid on the doors and doorposts of the Temple be removed and given to satisfy this demand.”

Hezekiah pauses to let his words sink in. He also takes this time to recompose himself as he is near his own breaking point of sorrow.

“The tribute was delivered at midday yesterday” continues Hezekiah. “But there is concern that Sennacherib may find another cause or way to attack Jerusalem. One way that has been suggested is to divide the people, one against the other. This would be done through a campaign of words; seeds of doubt and dissention planted in our hearts. Our ONLY hope is in our Lord. He is our deliverer. Do NOT forget His miracles. Meditate on them like never before. And when; I say ‘when’ not ‘if’ because I truly believe it is only a matter of time. WHEN Sennacherib sends dissention and doubt among us answer him not a word. This is my command to you. Take it to heart and stand by it as I stand by each of you. DO NOT engage our enemy in discourse. DO NOT answer them even with the time of day. SAY NOTHING when they stand before you. Let their words fall on deaf ears and guarded hearts.”

Hezekiah looks out over his people once more. His heart is breaking for the fear he is certain is rippling through them. He realizes the only thing he can do is turn them, and himself, over to the hand of the Lord. With this revelation, he calls for the priests to present one more sacrifice; one of supplication for deliverance. Once this sacrifice is completed the people break up and return to their homes.

Hezekiah is not naïve enough to think Judah will go without notice again. He calls his people together. He has an idea of how to impede the army of Assyria when they do come without even firing a shot. He calls for his advisors and a scribe. When all are present, Hezekiah puts forth his idea.

“Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?” (2 Chronicles 32:4).

The advisors look at him with confusion on their faces. “We don’t understand your question. Judah has many sources of water which the king of Assyria already knows. And the king of Assyria is not a problem right now.”

“I agree. But there will come a time, not too far in the distance when Assyria will come again. We are a ripe target for them. But if we stop up the mouths of the streams, Assyria will find NO water when they come. And water means life, especially during battle.”

The light goes on in all their minds. “This is an EXCELLENT idea, my king! We will do this, under your command.”

“We will also reinforce the wall around the city as quickly as possible. When Assyria comes, Judah will be ready for them.”

Word goes out to all the cities to take these measures. Hezekiah concentrates his efforts of Jerusalem.

Work begins immediately on the walls of the cities that suffered under previous attacks and on Jerusalem. Hezekiah sends what workmen he can to assist, but his primary focus has to be Jerusalem. He has to protect the city the Lord has chosen as His own.

Walls are repaired and additional towers are constructed in the cities. And teams move throughout all of Judah putting measures in place for stopping up all the streams and rivers. Care is taken to ensure that these measures can be quickly employed, if they are not permanent diversions. The people still need access to the water during the time of peace.

While working on the streams, Hezekiah has a tunnel built to divert the Gihon Spring into the city. This will provide water for the city while denying access to Sennacherib.

Hezekiah doesn’t stop with just reinforcing the buildings and watching over the waterways. He looks to the hearts of the people. He strengthens them. Hezekiah personally stands in the city center and at the gates calling out to the people to be of good courage.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8).

The very next spring the fears of Hezekiah stand on his doorstep. Sennacherib has sent a contingent of soldiers along with the Tartan, the Rab-saris, and the Rabshakeh to confront the king and his people. Hezekiah does not answer their summons personally. Sennacherib had sent emissaries so Hezekiah sends some of his own. In his place go Eliakim, who is over the household, and Shebnah the secretary, and Joah the recorder. These men are Hezekiah’s most trusted advisors. They will bring him word of the encounter.

Hezekiah’s three advisors stand before the Assyrian envoy with their heads held high and their backs straight. They wait in silence to hear the words of Sennacherib. Their wait is short as the Rabshakeh, full of himself, is all too ready to begin the exchange.

“Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me? Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. But if you say to me, “We trust in the Lord our God,” is it not He whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem”? Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master’s servants, when you trust in Egypt for Chariots and for horsemen? Moreover, is it without the Lord that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, “Go up against this land and destroy it”’” (2 Kings 18:19-25).

Hezekiah’s three advisors are aware of the people crowding the walls. Their desire is to shield them from the words of dissention spewing from the mouth of the Rabshakeh. Eliakim speaks the thoughts of the three.

“Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall” (2 Kings 18:26b).

The Rabshakeh knows exactly what he is doing when choosing the language of Judah to present his case. He wants the people to hear. He wants them to become discouraged and to turn against their king.

“Has my master sent me to speak these words to your master and to you, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are doomed with you to eat their own dung and to drink their own urine?” (2 Kings 18:27).

The Rabshakeh gets even louder. He drops all pretense of speaking only to Hezekiah’s advisors. He goes directly after the hearts of the people listening in.

“Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ Do not listen to Hezekiah, for thus says the king of Assyria: ‘Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, that you may live, and not die. And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.” Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered the lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?” (2 Kings 18:28b-37).

The words of the Rabshakeh die on the wind unanswered. Not a word is spoken by ANY man in response to what was just said. The people trust their king and their God. They have meditated on His miracles as their king had directed them to do and they have remained silent as he commanded.

After more than an hour of silence from the people, the Rabshakeh grows frustrated. There is nothing more to be gained by standing here. He has been given authority to deliver this message and to escort those who would walk with him back to Lachish. He was NOT given the authority to use physical force against the people; yet. He calls to the troops in Aramaic and they pull back away from the city for a time before marching back to Lachish.

Once the last soldier had faded from view Eliakim, Shebna and Joah turn back towards the city. On the way back they tear their clothes as a demonstration of their anguish at the words of the Rabshakeh. Their hearts ache for the people who have stood witness to the exchange. They are also outraged at the characterization of the Lord as no stronger than the gods of all the other nations.

The three men come to Hezekiah to give him a full report. He knows the news is bad as soon as he sees the state of their clothing. Robes torn from the neck downward is not a sign of joy but of great sorrow. Hezekiah steels himself as the three men take up position before him.

“Tell me exactly what was said. Leave nothing out.”

Joah the recorder speaks for the group. He recounts each and every word the Rabshakeh had spoken, even his refusal to speak in Aramaic.

Hezekiah’s response mirrored his advisors. He too tears his robes. He also covers himself with sackcloth and goes to his Source of hope. He goes into the House of the Lord. There he brings together another team. One that will carry his distress to the prophet Isaiah. He will know what to do. He will know how to handle the disgraceful words of the Rabshakeh; his blaspheme against the God of Israel.

Eliakim, Shebna and the senior priest stand before Hezekiah. He instructs them each to put on sackcloth as he has done. Once this was done, he speaks the words he wants carried to the prophet Isaiah.

“This is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth. It may be that the Lord your God heard all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayers for the remnant that is left” (2 Kings 18:3-4).

Isaiah is not surprised by their coming, nor is he astonished at their words. God has heard the words of the Rabshakeh and has spoken His intent to Isaiah. He has an answer ready for Hezekiah’s messengers. A message of hope.

“Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled Me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land and I will make him fall by the sword of his own land’” (2 Kings 18:6-7).

Hezekiah’s messengers are more than willing to bring this answer form the prophet back to their king. Hezekiah is as grateful to hear it as his advisor had been. He removes the sackcloth from his body and offers a sacrifice of praise to the Lord before returning to his palace. He will wait upon the Lord and see the answer He has promised. The Rabshakeh leaving that day is just part of that answer.

(to be continued)

I struggled with where to break this story today. There is another encounter with the Rabshakeh still to come and an even greater promise of the Lord. And then there is His deliverance! But I’m afraid I have gone far enough for one day. Please come back and see what God does next for His people.

Judah only receives this blessing because they turned their hearts back to the Lord. The northern kingdom of Israel was wiped out because they refused to turn to Him. And He gave them PLENTY of opportunities, including the invitation from Hezekiah to share the Passover feast with Judah. God said ‘enough’ to Israel, but ‘come even closer and watch what I do’ to Judah. Not because He loved one more than the other, but because only one would obey.

There is coming a day when God will again say, ‘enough’ to the people of this world. On that day will you be one pushing Him away or will you be ‘coming closer’ to watch what He is doing. I want to see God’s hand is all I do. I want to come as close as possible to Him.

One more quick item of interest. Just because Judah was following the Lord, didn’t mean that they would have NO trouble. Even in that time, Satin fought against God’s people. And the fact that we live in a fallen world, means there will be trouble. But it is trouble we can overcome by holding fast to the Lord’s hand.

Father God, thank You again for Your stories. I LOVE the ending of this one! But I’m not going to spoil it. I am MORE than grateful for all the times You have moved in my life and protected me from harm. Even when I earned that harm ‘fair and square’. You even protected me from a ticket on our last long trip. I was more than ready to receive it, as I WAS speeding. Yet, You moved on my behalf and I got a warning instead. I PRAY I don’t make the same mistake the next time we travel that route.

I’m asking for Your hand in my own upcoming health issues. Please make it possible to complete all that needs done BEFORE I have to change insurance. I leave it in Your hands to arrange the minor miracle for me.