King Sennacherib was a powerful Assyrian monarch. His name literally means “Sin has increased the brothers.” “Sin” was the moon-god of Assyrian mythology. The capital of Assyria was the wicked Nineveh. The Assyrian Empire was famous for its barbaric society; its ruthless treatment of others. It was a vicious, evil culture. Sennacherib’s war on Judah is recorded in Scripture.
2 Kings 18:9-13 – The Assyrian army attacked and conquered 46 cities and strongholds of Judah. More that 200,000 prisoners were taken into captivity. Hezekiah offered tribute to Sennacherib so the Assyrian army would cease its attack (2 Ki 18:14-16).
After the conquest the tribute of the jewish people did not satisfy the greedy Assyrian. Sennacherib immediately broke his promises and prepared to lay siege to Jerusalem. This was almost instantly after he accepted the tribute. From Sennacherib’s annuals he described the situation as thus: “I shut him up like a caged bird within his royal capital, Jerusalem. I put watch-posts closely around the city.”
The Assyrian king then demands for the full surrender of Jerusalem. This was made by a group of three Assyrian officials (2Ki 18:17). The duty of these three was to intimidate Hezekiah into full surrender or to provoke such unrest within the citizens of Jerusalem that they would revolt and overthrow Hezekiah.
Opposing God
The opposition of Sennacherib presents the pattern of all who oppose God’s rule for their lives. The root of opposition to God is selfishness. This originates also pride and arrogance. This selfishness prodded Sennacherib to mock and insult the Lord God Almighty.
Here are the words of king Hezekiah
2 Chronicles 32:7-8 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.
Believe in God for yous victory
Stand upon the promises of God and then let go and let God do his work. God has promised never to leave or to forsake you in the face of your enemy! He has promised to stick closer than a friend.
Like Hezekiah said in the verse above, ‘…there be more with us than with him…with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles’. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
The prayer
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3"Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. The answer was not long in coming through Isaiah the prophet.
God's answer is both amazing and wonderful. A prophet of God prays and immediately God both changes his mind and sends alternate instructions to his prophet. A few minutes after Hezekiah prays, Isaiah returns to his bedroom. Hezekiah is still lying on his side facing the wall. Isaiah says: "Hezekiah, this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says...."
Miraculously, an angel of God destroyed Sennacherib’s army
2 Chronicles 32:20-21 King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword.
God has promised you the victory if you will just put your faith in him! Today, God will give you victory without a fight in Jesus name. If God can send an angel to destroy the Assyrian army he will do the same for you.
Sennacherib went home in shame. Do you depend on God to rescue you from though situations? Learn to be like Hezekiah and trust the Lord to help you
An army destroyed by an angel