Hezekiah's staff is understandably distressed by what Sennacherib was saying. Who wouldn't be?Israel had a poor recent history of defending itself. Foreign leaders did whatever they wanted, took what they wanted, and basically pushed everyone around. Why would Sennacherib, "Snatch-Up-A-Rib" as my classmates at Grace Bible College called him, be any different? But Hezekiah at least shows some hope in verse 4 that the LORD could prevent it, where other leaders would have caved instantly.
Isaiah's like, "Don't sweat it, he'll get some bad news, and then get sworded. No big deal."
Sennacherib does what most do who don't rely on the LORD. He depends on his own reputation and past accomplishments, believing they will stand up against God. And of course he believes this, he conquered all these other nations who weren't ruled by God, and frankly, probably did it with God's own power, to set up this showdown.
Hezekiah asks God to show His power and "do his thing" with Assyria, so that the nations would know, realizing that these other gods are not "Gods," but things fashioned by men.
Isaiah relays a message from God concerning Assyria that is pretty vivid. Where Sennacherib assumed he was in control, it is God who will do what he wants. Where Sennacherib exalts himself, God will humiliate him. Where Sennacherib thinks he steps on his own property, it belongs to God ultimately. Where Sennacherib believes he has destroyed morale, God will be their hope.
And perhaps the most damning part of the prophecy is that Assyria won't even have a chance to march on Jerusalem...won't even be able to fire one arrow. And of course, the Angel of God comes in the night, and puts to death 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Which is just a ridiculous number. And Assyria probably could have conquered Jerusalem with a tenth that number. Numbers are no match for an almighty God. In fact, this tactical blunder probably rendered Assyria powerless, for putting all their baskets in one egg.
And of course, as Isaiah prophesied, Sennacherib was put to death by the sword while worshipping his god Nisroch.
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