2 Ki. 19: God is Like, Whaaat?

2 Kings 19:27 "But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me." 

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.

2 Ki. 15: As The World Turns

2 Kings 15:29 "In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria." 

This chapter briefly lists several kings of Israel, and a couple kings of Judah. None of them appear to have done anything really noteworthy. They were evil, killed pregnant women, lost a lot of land...you know...generally clowns.

Judah

Azariah (Uzziah) - Took the throne at 16, reigned 52 years. Was apparently good. Didn't remove the high places for offerings. Was afflicted with leprosy, and Jotham took care of the day-to-day operations of the kingshippery. That's a long time to have leprosy. I suppose any length of time is, but...

Jotham - Took the throne at 25, reigned 16 years. What is with these people not removing the high places? That seems to be the one thing keeping a king from having a truly great reign. Succeeded by his son Ahaz.

Israel

Zechariah - Reigned 6 months. Generally evil. This was the fourth and final generation removed from Jehu, as Elisha prophesied. And sure enough, he was assassinated publicly by Shallum, who assumed power.

Shallum - Reigned 1 month. Probably didn't have time to be evil or good, but I would assume he would have been evil, had the brutal Mehahem not overthrown him.

Menahem - Reigned 10 years. Ripped open the pregnant women of Tiphsah because they wouldn't open their gates to his marauders. Menahem was the first democrat, because he taxed the wealthy men. This money was used to pay off Pul, the invading Assyrian king. 

Pekahiah - Reigned 2 years, did evil. Besides his name sounding like someone telling a Black-rumped Flameback what to do, Pekahiah was assassinated in the palace by one of his chief officers, Pekah, who assumed the throne.

Pekah - Reigned 20 years, did evil. Pekah had a lot of trouble with the invading Assyrians. The king, Tiglath-Peliser took a bunch of land, and deported a bunch of land, and deported people to his land. Perhaps a nod to Dt 4:7. Hoshea follows the assassination trend, and kills Pekah, assuming the throne.

So this is the common thread between Israel and Judah. Israel refused to not be like Jeroboam, and Judah wouldn't centralize the offerings and sacrifices. Where were their priests?