International Sunday School Lesson September 15, 2024
2 Kings 19:14–20, 29–31
Background
Today’s lesson deals with the interaction between the Assyrians and Judah. These events were during the reign of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah reigned from 716 BC to 687 BC. The Assyrians had already invaded Judah once in 702 BC. Hezekiah had agreed to pay a tribute to the Assyrian King. But the Assyrian King grew greedy and planned another invasion. Sennacherib sent an intimidating letter to King Hezekiah. This is where we pick up the story in today’s lesson.
Take It To The Lord
2 Kings 19:14 (ESV) Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD.
Here we see the actions of the godly Hezekiah. He had just received the intimidating letter from the most powerful ruler in the region. But he knew where to take his problems. Hezekiah went to the temple to meet with God. Hezekiah laid the letter out before the Lord in the temple. Hezekiah did want we should always do. He took his problems to God.
God is Almighty
2 Kings 19:15-16 (ESV) And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said: “O LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. [16] Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God.
Hezekiah acknowledged the greatness of God Almighty. This was an act of praise on the part of Hezekiah. It also was Hezekiah reminding himself of the greatness of God. That is an important reminder when facing problems. We need to remind ourselves of the power of God like King Hezekiah. We need to contemplate the Almighty hand of God.
Destruction In Their Path
2 Kings 19:17-18 (ESV) Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands [18] and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed.
Hezekiah was not delusional. He knew the power of the Assyrians. Neither should we be delusional with the challenges we face. For example, it is ridiculous to ignore grave illnesses. Ignorance is not faith. Hezekiah was not ignorant. It would not be faith for Hezekiah to deny the power of the Assyrians. It would have been foolishness.
Save Us
2 Kings 19:19 (ESV) So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone.”
Hezekiah turned to the right source. He knew that God could save his people. He asked for God to save his people. He had faith that God would save his people. He recognized the problem. He turned to God for a solution. He had faith in God for the solution. We need to follow this example of Hezekiah for the challenges in our lives.
Prayers Heard
2 Kings 19:20 (ESV) Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Your prayer to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
Isaiah and Hezekiah were very close. This section of scripture is almost copied word for word in Isaiah 37. Isaiah ministered to Hezekiah. God gave Isaiah an encouraging word to tell Hezekiah. We need to follow Isaiah’s example. We should be sensitive in our ministries to give encouraging words. People during trouble need to be encouraged.
2 Kings 19:29-31 (ESV) “And this shall be the sign for you: this year eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs of the same. Then in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. [30] And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. [31] For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD will do this.
God lets Hezekiah know that everything’s going to be okay. The Assyrians will have a situation that drives them out. Then the people of Judah will begin to eat the fruit of the land. God is in control. Things are going to be okay.
Concluding Thoughts
A couple of things to remind all of us in closing. Always take your problems to God. Depend on God to see you through the difficulties. Have faith in God.
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