Royalty and Ruin

The Lord Responds to Judah’s Pleadings

Hezekiah’s pleadings for Judah and for the honor of their Supreme Ruler were in harmony with the mind of God. Solomon had prayed for the Lord to maintain “the cause of His people Israel, ... that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.” 1 Kings 8:59, 60. Especially was the Lord to show favor when, in times of war or oppression by an army, the leaders of Israel would enter the house of prayer and plead for deliverance. See verses 33, 34. RR 129.9

Isaiah sent to Hezekiah saying, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib the king of Assyria, I have heard.’ This is the word which the Lord has spoken concerning him: ... RR 130.1

“Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice, and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel. By your messengers you have reproached the Lord.” “I know your dwelling place, your going out and your coming in, and your rage against Me. Because your rage against Me and your tumult have come up to My ears, therefore I will put My hook in your nose, and My bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way which you came.” 2 Kings 19:20-23, 27, 28. RR 130.2

The army of occupation had laid Judah waste, but God had promised to provide miraculously for the people. To Hezekiah came the message about the king of Assyria: “‘He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,’ says the Lord. ‘For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’” Verses 32-34. RR 130.3