At just twenty-five years old, Hezekiah (the son of Ahaz) began his twenty-nine-year reign in Jerusalem. Following in the footsteps of his ancestor David, Hezekiah committed himself to doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Hezekiah’s dedication to his faith was evident in his sweeping reforms as he eradicated the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He purified the temple and got rid of the idols his predecessors had adopted as their deities. Notably, he destroyed the bronze serpent Moses had made, which had become an object of idolatrous worship, now known as Nehushtan.
He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan. – 2 Kings 18:4 (NIV)
While in the wilderness, the Israelites constantly rebelled against the LORD. In response, He sent venomous snakes among them to warn them not to take His word lightly. God then instructed Moses to craft a snake out of bronze and place it on a pole. Anyone who looked at the bronze snake with a repentant heart would be cured of the snake’s poison and spared from death.
Similarly, Satan has filled mankind with the venom of sin, but Jesus was hung on the cross by God, just like the bronze snake. Anyone who looks to that cross with a repentant heart will not die but will find new life in Christ. Thus, the bronze snake served not only as a moment of reflection on their past sins but also as a symbol of hope for redemption with the coming of the Messiah.
However, over time, the Israelites began to idolize the bronze snake, burning incense to it and treating it as an object of worship rather than a symbol of their repentance and God’s provision. This shift from understanding its true purpose to idolizing the object itself illustrates a broader pattern seen throughout history.
For instance, the golden calf episode involved the Israelites creating an idol out of gold, which was originally a blessing from God, obtained from the Egyptians. Instead of seeing the calf as a symbol of sacrifice, they adopted it as a deity. Another example is the pool of Bethesda, believed to have healing powers, which people began to venerate rather than recognising God as the ultimate healer. Additionally, the modern tendency to idolize jobs and occupations, gifts from God, shows how easily people can prioritize worldly success over their spiritual relationship with God.
Moreover, the sacraments, which are meant to be holy rituals guiding believers towards repentance and deeper faith, can also become idols when people focus more on the ceremonies and traditions than on their underlying spiritual significance. This was a significant issue for King Hezekiah, who had to destroy the bronze snake to combat idolatry among the Israelites. Similarly, today’s believers face the challenge of abolishing the idolatry of sacraments and other religious practices. It is essential to remember and uphold the true intent behind these provisions and sacraments: to draw closer to God and foster genuine repentance and faith.
Hezekiah Succumbs to the Pressure
Hezekiah’s actions demonstrated his unwavering trust in the LORD, distinguishing him as an exceptional king of Judah, unmatched by any of his predecessors or successors. Hezekiah’s unwavering adherence to the LORD’s commands brought success in all his endeavours. Defying the king of Assyria, he liberated Judah from Assyrian dominance and triumphed over the Philistines extending his territories all the way to Gaza which was the farthest city from Judah. Only during the days of David and Solomon did the kingdom of Judah have such reach.
However, Hezekiah’s unwavering faith was about to be severely tested. In the fourteenth year of his reign, Sennacherib, the new king of Assyria, launched an assault on Judah’s fortified cities and captured them. In response, Hezekiah sought peace by offering to pay any tribute demanded by the Assyrian king. Sennacherib imposed a hefty levy of three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. To meet this demand, Hezekiah stripped the temple of the LORD and the royal palace of their treasures, even removing the gold from the temple doors and doorposts.
So Hezekiah king of Judah sent this message to the king of Assyria at Lachish: “I have done wrong. Withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand of me.” – 2 Kings 18:14 (NIV)
The temple, once a source of pride for the people of Judah due to its majesty, was gradually stripped of its splendour. Even after God allowed its destruction, the Israelites rebuilt it upon their return from exile. Despite not finding the Glory of God residing in the new temple, they still turned it into an idol, transforming their house of worship into a monument of laws and traditions.
Hezekiah, known for his faithfulness to God, would not have accepted such challenges coming his way. Our faith journey does not guarantee a life free from troubles. We are grateful and praise God during good times, but we often find it difficult to walk with Him when things are not going our way. The tests we face are always there to enhance our faith, yet they can also cause us to abandon it if we fail to remain steadfast in our trust in God.
A Psychological Warfare
Sennacherib, not content with mere tribute, sent a formidable delegation to Jerusalem, including his supreme commander, chief officer, and field commander. As the Assyrian army, approached Jerusalem, the Assyrian field commander engaged in a form of psychological warfare. Speaking in Hebrew rather than Aramaic, he intended to demoralize not just the officials but the people of Jerusalem as well who were intently listening in from the walls.
The field commander, addressing the envoys, questioned the basis of Hezekiah’s confidence, mocking their reliance on Egypt and challenging their faith in the LORD. He offered a stark ultimatum: submit to Assyrian rule or face devastation. He claimed endorsement from the God of the Israelites for his mission, asserting that the LORD had commanded the destruction of Judah.
…have I come to attack and destroy this place without word from the LORD? The LORD himself told me to march against this country and destroy it. – 2 Kings 18:25 (NIV)
The enemy often deceives us into questioning God by misrepresenting His words and intentions. Just as the field commander was not lying when he claimed that he was sent by God, similarly, satan did not lie to Eve or Jesus but misquoted God’s words to try and deceive them. Today, there are people who mislead others from their divine calling by distorting God’s leading. Anyone who knowingly diverts us from the purpose that God has set out for us is being influenced by the enemy.
For example, the field commander warned the people against trusting Hezekiah’s promises of deliverance by the LORD. Instead, he urged them to surrender and enjoy peace and prosperity under Assyrian rule. This tactic aimed to instil doubt in the people’s minds regarding God’s ability to deliver them, ultimately leading them away from trusting in God’s promises and sovereignty.
Make peace with me and come out to me. Then each of you will eat fruit from your own vine and fig tree and drink water from your own cistern, until I come and take you to a land like your own—a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey. Choose life and not death! –
2 Kings 18:31-32 (NIV)
Eliakim and his companions pleaded for the discussion to be conducted in Aramaic to avoid alarming the people, but the commander, undeterred, proclaimed his message loudly in Hebrew. He mocked King Hezekiah’s reliance on the LORD, painting a grim picture of the fate awaiting the city’s inhabitants if they resisted. The commander’s message was clear: no other nation’s gods had delivered them from Assyria, so why should the God of Israel be any different? Despite the field commander’s intimidating rhetoric, the people remained silent, obeying Hezekiah’s instruction not to respond. The envoys returned to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, a sign of mourning, and reported the Assyrian threats in full.
The Deliverance is From the LORD
King Hezekiah’s response to this dire threat was both humble and desperate. He tore his clothes, donned sackcloth, and sought divine intervention through the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah’s messengers conveyed the king’s anguish, describing the day as one of distress and disgrace, likening it to a woman in labour unable to deliver her child. Isaiah’s prophecy brought a glimmer of hope. He assured Hezekiah that the LORD had heard the blasphemous words of the Assyrians and would act.
Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master, ‘This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword. ’” – 2 Kings 19:6-7 (NIV)
Indeed, events unfolded as Isaiah had prophesied. Sennacherib received news of Tirhakah, king of Cush, marching against him, prompting a temporary withdrawal. Nevertheless, Sennacherib continued his psychological assault through letters, again challenging the power of the God of Israel.
In response, Hezekiah took these letters to the temple, spreading them before the LORD in a poignant act of faith. His prayer acknowledged the Assyrian conquests but emphasized that those defeated gods were mere idols, unlike the living God of Israel. He pleaded for deliverance, not just for Jerusalem’s sake but to demonstrate God’s supremacy to all kingdoms of the earth.
Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, LORD, are God.” – 2 Kings 19:19 (NIV)
Hezekiah, in a bid to safeguard his kingdom, essentially asks God to demonstrate His power to their enemies, seeking assurance and protection, all the while wanting our desires to be fulfilled. Similarly, in our prayers and petitions, we echo this sentiment by asking God to increase His visibility to the world, showcasing His sovereignty as the ultimate King of Kings, all the while wanting our desires to be fulfilled.
This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:
“This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. – 2 Kings 19:29 (NIV)
Isaiah conveyed God’s response to Hezekiah: Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem. The LORD Himself would defend the city. That night, a miraculous event occurred: the angel of the LORD struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrian soldiers. The sight of the dead bodies forced Sennacherib to retreat to Nineveh, the capital city of his empire for protection but there he met his demise at the hands of his sons.
…He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisrok, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword, and they escaped to the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son succeeded him as king. – 2 Kings 19:36-37 (NIV)
What we can learn from the above passage is the importance of trusting in God’s power and seeking His intervention in times of crisis. Despite facing a formidable enemy, Hezekiah demonstrated the significance of turning to God for deliverance rather than relying solely on human strategies. This encounter showcases God’s sovereignty and His ability to intervene in human affairs according to His will. Despite the Assyrians’ threats, God ultimately delivered Jerusalem and thwarted their plans, underscoring the fact that true deliverance can come only from God.
Discussion Questions
- What was the purpose of the bronze snake Moses erected and why are the people now treating it as an idol? Are there similar examples of people creating idols out of the LORD’s provisions?
- What causes us to abandon our faith and succumb to the pressures of the world around us?
- How does the enemy fool us into questioning God?
- Is Hezekiah asking God to prove himself? Do we do the same during our prayers and petitions?
The Jordan Valley 
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