The army of Assyria surrounded Israel and threatened king Hezekiah, who PRAYED TO THE LORD for help. The prophet Isaiah encouraged Hezekiah. Now King Sennacherib’s rebuilt Nineveh and on his accession, he made it his capital and built a splendid new palace. Using prisoners of war for labor, he beautified the city, laying out streets, restoring and extending public buildings, and erecting a great inner wall, nearly 8 miles long, which encircled the city of Nineveh, and an outer wall; BOTH WALLS STILL STAND. Because of his attack on Jerusalem, Sennacherib receives prominence in the Bible. Isaiah regarded Sennacherib as God’s instrument,
“Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you prayed about King Sennacherib of Assyria, the LORD has spoken this word against Sennacherib…because of your raging against me and your arrogance, which I have heard for myself, I WILL PUT MY HOOK IN YOUR NOSE and my bit in your mouth. I will make you return by the same road on which you came.” (Isaiah 37:21-22, 29) Sennacherib had a mighty army of 185,000 fierce Assyrian soldiers. “That night the angel (that’s ONE angel) of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and returned (because of the hook in his nose) to his own land. He went home to his capital of Nineveh and stayed there…while Sennacherib was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer KILLED HIM with their swords.” (2 Kings 19:35-37)
Never go against God because “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide UNDER THE SHADOW of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS; My God, IN HIM I WILL TRUST.” For HE WILL RESCUE YOU (US) from every trap and protect you (US) from deadly disease.” (Psa. 91:1-3)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham