2 Ch. 32: Hezek-ayonara

2 Chronicles 32:31 "But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart."

There's not much I can add to the story of Sennacherib, that I didn't already read about back in 2 Kings 18 and 19. He was the Assyria-hole who came and threatened Judah after the mighty turnaround. Not a good time to come and get rowdy on Israel, after they had just renewed their ties with God. The Bible says that the Angel of God came down and annihilated the Assyrian army, and Sennacherib was kilt off by his sons. Rough end.

What I don't recall reading, however, is this little bit at the end of the chapter about how some Babylonians stopped by to talk to this amazingly wealthy powerful ruler, and because of his pride, Hezekiah was left by the LORD. God tested him, and apparently he did not pass. He did not succeed in this instance, unlike the usual things.

Why tests like this? Wouldn't God's power and influence be diminished by Hezekiah's stammering around and inability to attribute his wealth and power to God?

Further reading on Sennacherib: 09/23/08 Entry