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2 Chronicles 32

2 Chronicles 32 recounts King Hezekiah’s response to the Assyrian invasion and his efforts to strengthen Jerusalem. The chapter highlights Hezekiah's faith in God, the preparation of the city for defense, and a powerful prayer that leads to divine intervention. It also underscores the importance of trust in God during crises and the consequences of pride and unfaithfulness.

2 Chronicles 32:1 (NKJV)
1 After these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them over to himself.

Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, invades Judah following Hezekiah's reforms and faithfulness to God. His strategy involves besieging fortified cities, attempting to conquer them to expand his empire. This invasion serves as a test for Hezekiah and Judah, challenging their faith amidst the looming threat of a powerful enemy. The narrative sets the stage for the ensuing conflict and highlights the need for reliance on God during difficult times.

2 Chronicles 32:2-5 (NKJV)
2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that his purpose was to make war against Jerusalem,
3 he consulted with his leaders and commanders to stop the water from the springs which were outside the city, and they helped him.
4 Thus many people gathered together who stopped all the springs and the brook that ran through the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?”
5 And he strengthened himself, built up all the wall that was broken, raised up the towers, and built another wall outside; also he repaired the Melo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.

Upon realizing the severity of the threat posed by Sennacherib, Hezekiah takes decisive action by consulting his leaders. They devise a plan to stop the water supply to weaken the Assyrian army's position. Hezekiah’s fortification of Jerusalem's walls and the preparation of weapons show his commitment to defending the city while also emphasizing teamwork and strategic planning. This proactive approach reflects his leadership qualities and faith in God’s protection.

2 Chronicles 32:6-8 (NKJV)
6 Then he set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the open square of the city gate, and gave them encouragement, saying:
7 “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him.
8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Hezekiah motivates his military leaders and the people by urging them to be strong and courageous against the Assyrian threat. He emphasizes that the Lord is on their side, presenting a stark contrast between the earthly might of Sennacherib and the divine support they possess. This encouragement serves to inspire confidence in God’s power, reinforcing the theme of reliance on divine assistance during times of crisis. The response of the people illustrates the impact of Hezekiah's faith-filled leadership.

2 Chronicles 32:9-12 (NKJV)
9 After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem, but he and all the forces with him laid siege against Lachish. To Hezekiah and all Judah, he sent letters, saying,
10 “Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria: ‘In what do you trust, that you remain besieged in Jerusalem?
11 Does not Hezekiah persuade you to give yourselves over to die by famine and thirst, saying, “The Lord our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria”?
12 Has not the same Hezekiah taken away His high places and His altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, “You shall worship before one altar and burn incense on it”?

Sennacherib attempts to demoralize the people of Jerusalem through letters, questioning their trust in God and their faith in Hezekiah’s leadership. He mocks their reliance on the Lord, suggesting that surrender is inevitable. This psychological warfare aims to instill fear and doubt among the citizens of Jerusalem. The Assyrian king's rhetoric reflects his own arrogance and underestimates the faithfulness of Hezekiah and the people, foreshadowing the impending confrontation between faith and fear.

2 Chronicles 32:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands in any way able to deliver their lands out of my hand?
14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand?
15 Now therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you like this, and do not believe him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand!’”

Sennacherib boasts about his conquests and the impotence of other gods, attempting to undermine the people's faith in Yahweh. He questions God’s ability to save them, using historical examples to bolster his claims. This challenge reflects a profound misunderstanding of God’s sovereignty and power. Sennacherib's arrogance in confronting Hezekiah’s faith sets the stage for a dramatic display of God’s might against human pride.

2 Chronicles 32:16-19 (NKJV)
16 Furthermore, his servants spoke against the Lord God and against His servant Hezekiah.
17 He also wrote letters to revile the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying, “As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.”
18 Then they called out with a loud voice in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them and terrify them, that they might take the city.
19 And they spoke against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth—the work of men’s hands.

The Assyrians intensify their assault by openly mocking God and disparaging Hezekiah. Their use of Hebrew to communicate with the people on the walls is a tactic to instill fear and discourage them from trusting in God. This taunting reveals their desperation as well as their conviction that they can intimidate the faithful into submission. The Assyrians' blasphemy emphasizes the contrast between the true God and the false gods they had encountered, highlighting the folly of relying on human strength.

2 Chronicles 32:20-23 (NKJV)
20 Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven.
21 Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefaced to his own land. And when he had gone into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring struck him down there with the sword.
22 Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.
23 And many brought gifts to the Lord at Jerusalem and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter.

Hezekiah and Isaiah seek divine intervention through prayer, demonstrating their reliance on God amid crisis. God responds powerfully by sending an angel to defeat the Assyrian army, resulting in Sennacherib's humiliating retreat. This divine act of deliverance reinforces the theme of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His people. The gifts and honors bestowed upon Hezekiah further solidify his status, illustrating how God’s intervention elevates His faithful servants in the eyes of others.

2 Chronicles 32:24-26 (NKJV)
24 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the Lord; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign.
25 But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem.
26 Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so the Lord’s wrath did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah faces a personal crisis when he falls seriously ill. His prayer leads to God granting him a sign of healing, but despite this favor, Hezekiah becomes proud, failing to respond with gratitude. This pride brings God's wrath upon him and Judah, highlighting the dangers of forgetting God’s grace. However, Hezekiah’s subsequent humility signifies repentance, which averts impending judgment. This passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining humility before God, even after experiencing His blessings.

2 Chronicles 32:27-30 (NKJV)
27 Hezekiah had great riches and honor; and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items.
28 Storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and folds for flocks.
29 Moreover, he provided cities for himself and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much property.
30 This same Hezekiah stopped the water outlet of Upper Gihon and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

These verses highlight Hezekiah's prosperity during his reign, marked by wealth and achievements that reflect God’s blessings. His investments in infrastructure and resources demonstrate wise leadership and foresight, particularly in managing water supplies essential for Jerusalem’s survival. The narrative underscores how God’s favor resulted in abundance, affirming the connection between faithfulness to God and material blessings. Hezekiah’s achievements serve as a testament to what can be accomplished through God’s guidance and provision.

2 Chronicles 32:31 (NKJV)
31 However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.

When Babylonian envoys come to Hezekiah to learn about the miraculous events in Judah, God withdraws His presence to test Hezekiah’s heart. This moment reveals the importance of humility and integrity, as it serves as a pivotal point for Hezekiah’s character development. God’s intention to test reveals that He desires to see if Hezekiah remains faithful despite success and recognition. This narrative illustrates that even the most faithful can face trials that challenge their loyalty to God.

2 Chronicles 32:32-33 (NKJV)
32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, indeed they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
33 So Hezekiah rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the upper tombs of the sons of David; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. Then Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

The chapter concludes with a summary of Hezekiah's reign and the acknowledgment of his faithfulness. His legacy is documented in other historical records, affirming the significance of his leadership. Hezekiah’s honorable burial reflects the respect he garnered, and the transition to his son Manasseh indicates the continuity of the Davidic line. This ending reinforces the notion that faithful leadership has lasting impacts and underscores the importance of righteousness in a ruler.

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