Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countriesThe Assyrian Empire was known for its military prowess and brutal conquests. The kings of Assyria, such as Tiglath-Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib, expanded their territory through aggressive campaigns. Historical records and archaeological findings, such as the annals of Sennacherib, confirm the widespread destruction and subjugation of nations. This phrase highlights the fear and intimidation tactics used by Assyria, which were well-known throughout the ancient Near East. The Assyrians often employed psychological warfare, spreading tales of their victories to demoralize their enemies. devoting them to destruction
The phrase "devoting them to destruction" reflects the Assyrian practice of total warfare, where conquered cities were often completely destroyed, and their inhabitants killed or exiled. This concept is reminiscent of the Hebrew term "herem," used in the context of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, where certain cities were devoted to destruction as an offering to God (e.g., Jericho in Joshua 6). The Assyrians, however, did this for their own glory and power, contrasting with the divine mandate given to Israel. This phrase underscores the severity of Assyrian conquests and the threat they posed to Judah. Will you then be spared?
This rhetorical question is a direct challenge to the faith and resolve of the people of Judah. It implies that, given the Assyrians' track record, Judah's survival seems unlikely. However, this sets the stage for a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness, as Hezekiah's prayer and Isaiah's prophecy lead to divine intervention (Isaiah 37:36-38). This question also serves as a test of faith, urging the people to trust in God rather than fear human power. It echoes the biblical theme that true deliverance comes from reliance on God, not on human strength or alliances, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 20:7 and 2 Chronicles 20:15. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe King of Judah during the time of the Assyrian threat. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of Judah. 2. SennacheribThe King of Assyria, known for his military campaigns and conquests. He is the antagonist in this account, threatening Jerusalem and King Hezekiah. 3. AssyriaA powerful empire known for its military might and conquests. It was a significant threat to the smaller kingdoms of the ancient Near East, including Judah. 4. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, which was under threat from the Assyrian army. It is a central location in the account of Isaiah 37. 5. Prophet IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament who served as a spiritual advisor to King Hezekiah. He played a crucial role in encouraging Hezekiah to trust in God. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite overwhelming odds, Hezekiah's account teaches us to trust in God's power and sovereignty over all nations and circumstances. The Power of PrayerHezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat was to seek God in prayer, demonstrating the importance of turning to God in times of crisis. God's FaithfulnessThe deliverance of Jerusalem is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises and His people. The Futility of Human ArroganceSennacherib's arrogance and eventual downfall remind us that human pride is ultimately futile against God's plans. Encouragement in TrialsJust as God delivered Jerusalem, believers can find encouragement that God is present and active in their own trials. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat challenge or encourage your own approach to difficult situations? 2. In what ways can the account of Jerusalem's deliverance inspire confidence in God's promises today? 3. How does the account of Isaiah 37 illustrate the theme of God's sovereignty over nations and history? 4. What role does prayer play in your life when facing challenges, and how can Hezekiah's example influence your prayer life? 5. How can the account of Sennacherib's arrogance and downfall serve as a warning against pride in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 19This chapter parallels Isaiah 37 and provides additional context and details about the Assyrian threat and Hezekiah's response. 2 Chronicles 32Offers another account of Hezekiah's reign and the Assyrian invasion, highlighting Hezekiah's faith and God's deliverance. Psalm 46Often associated with God's protection and deliverance, this Psalm can be seen as a reflection of the faith Hezekiah had during the Assyrian siege. Isaiah 10:5-19Discusses the arrogance of Assyria and God's ultimate control over the nations, providing a backdrop to the events of Isaiah 37. People Adrammelech, Amoz, Assyrians, David, Eliakim, Esarhaddon, Haran, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Sharezer, Shebna, TirhakahPlaces Ararat, Arpad, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Gozan, Hamath, Haran, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Libnah, Mount Zion, Nineveh, Rezeph, Sepharvaim, Telassar, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZionTopics Asshur, Assyria, Behold, Completely, Countries, Curse, Delivered, Destroying, Devote, Doubt, Ears, Fate, Hast, Kept, Kings, Lands, Putting, Safe, Spared, Story, UtterlyDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 37:10-13 5937 rivalry Isaiah 37:11-13 5776 achievement Library Where to Carry Troubles
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.'--ISAIAH xxxvii. 14. When Hezekiah heard the threatenings of Sennacherib's servants, he rent his clothes and went into the house of the Lord, and sent to Isaiah entreating his prayers. When he received the menacing letter, his faith was greater, having been heartened by Isaiah's assurances. So he then himself appealed to Jehovah, spreading …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Triumph of Faith
'And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15. And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16. O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth. 17. Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open Thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations, …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was Ready to Die. He Attempts to Kill Himself. He Commands Antipater to be Slain.
1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and Salvation for Us.
1. Christ not only the minister, but also the author and prince of salvation. Divine grace not obscured by this mode of expression. The merit of Christ not opposed to the mercy of God, but depends upon it. 2. The compatibility of the two proved by various passages of Scripture. 3. Christ by his obedience truly merited divine grace for us. 4. This grace obtained by the shedding of Christ's blood, and his obedience even unto death. 5. In this way he paid our ransom. 6. The presumptuous manner in which …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Concerning the Lord's Supper
There are two passages which treat in the clearest manner of this subject, and at which we shall look,--the statements in the Gospels respecting the Lord's Supper, and the words of Paul. (1 Cor. xi.) Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree that Christ gave the whole sacrament to all His disciples; and that Paul taught both parts of it is so certain, that no one has yet been shameless enough to assert the contrary. Add to this, that according to the relation of Matthew, Christ did not say concerning the bread, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 37:11 NIVIsaiah 37:11 NLTIsaiah 37:11 ESVIsaiah 37:11 NASBIsaiah 37:11 KJV
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