Faithful on Fridays Blog

Many stories in the Bible are repeated, most often in Kings and Chronicles, but Hezekiah’s story is found in detail in three places, therefore, we should wonder why.

First of all, his story contains several layers in the plot which holds our interest in the lower story, however, let’s consider each one since they’re written for our benefit.

Israel’s enemy, Assyria, is trying to take their land, their people, and their wealth using a multitude of strategies. Last week we learned how they tried to wear down the saints by arrogantly speaking words of mockery, distrust, and deception against God. Since Hezekiah called for the prophet in order to hear from God, and then went into prayer, we can see our upper story strategy as well. When the enemy seems to be discouraging us we call a seasoned believer, a mature Christian, and listen for the same prophetic words of comfort, guidance, and encouragement (1 Cor. 14:1-5) from God.

Since the enemy’s first method didn’t work he moved to another as he became more creative: a letter. He wrote the same words of contempt against God hoping to get the king to dwell on the lower story. ‘Read it over and over again, rehearse it in your mind, and finally give up’ is undoubtedly what the commander of Assyria was hoping. How often do we mirror the same thing? We hear words from someone which offends us and repeat them over and over again in our minds. It could be an email, text, or social media post that we can’t forget and the message controls our thinking. It’s funny how successful that strategy is.

In this second layer of the plot King Hezekiah shows us the upper story again; he went into prayer in a unique way. He spread out the letter before the Lord in the Temple and made his case declaring God’s protective sovereignty. Hezekiah desired the nations of the earth to know that He alone is God and asks for deliverance for His people.

God responded through the prophetic word (Is. 37:21-29) again declaring to the king the effect his prayer; He spoke a final destruction to the Assyrian king. Not only that, God promised a sign of prosperity to this remnant of His people within three years. God’s jealous and passionate love, His zeal, for His people will continue the line of David for the Messiah to come. The enemy’s strategy caused the king to retreat into trusting prayer since Hezekiah knew God well enough to make his case. 

Maybe it’s time for you to lay out a symbolic letter, some offense you’ve stored in your heart and mind letting God take it from you. Let Him deliver you from those anxious, recurring thoughts about someone and follow Hezekiah’s example; spread it before the presence of the Lord ready to receive His passionate and jealous love as well. If He did it for Hezekiah then He’ll do it for you.