1 And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
2 And he sent Eliakim, who [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day [is] a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and [there is] not strength to bring forth.
4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that is left.
5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
9 And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard [it], he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?
12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, [as] Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which [were] in Telassar?
13 Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?
14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
15 And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,
16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou [art] the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.
17 Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.
18 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,
19 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
20 Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.
21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:
22 This [is] the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
23 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy One of Israel.
24 By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, [and] the forest of his Carmel.
25 I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.
26 Hast thou not heard long ago, [how] I have done it; [and] of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.
27 Therefore their inhabitants [were] of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.
28 But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
29 Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
30 And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat [this] year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.
31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:
32 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
33 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.
34 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
35 For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.
37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
38 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 37
Isaiah Chapter 37 narrates a critical moment in the history of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. The chapter focuses on the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, the threats posed by King Sennacherib, and the divine intervention that follows. It emphasizes themes of faith, prayer, and God’s sovereignty in the face of overwhelming odds.
Context and Setting
The chapter is set during a time when the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, was expanding its territory and threatening the smaller nations, including Judah. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, faced a dire situation as the Assyrians laid siege to Jerusalem.
Key Characters
- Hezekiah: The king of Judah, known for his religious reforms and reliance on God.
- Sennacherib: The king of Assyria, who threatens Jerusalem and boasts about his conquests.
- Isaiah: The prophet who delivers God’s messages and reassurances to Hezekiah.
- The people of Jerusalem: The inhabitants who are fearful and in distress due to the siege.
Major Themes
- Faith in God: Hezekiah’s response to the Assyrian threat demonstrates a deep faith in God’s power to deliver.
- Prayer and Intercession: The chapter highlights the importance of prayer as Hezekiah seeks God’s help through Isaiah.
- Divine Sovereignty: God’s control over nations and events is a central theme, showcasing His ability to protect His people.
- Judgment and Deliverance: The chapter contrasts the impending judgment on Assyria with God’s promise of deliverance for Judah.
Summary of Events
The chapter can be broken down into several key events:
- Hezekiah’s Distress: Upon hearing Sennacherib’s threats, Hezekiah tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth, and goes to the temple to seek God.
- Message from Isaiah: Isaiah reassures Hezekiah that God will protect Jerusalem and that Sennacherib will not succeed in his siege.
- Sennacherib’s Taunt: Sennacherib sends a letter to Hezekiah, mocking God and asserting that no god has been able to save any nation from his power.
- Hezekiah’s Prayer: Hezekiah prays earnestly, laying Sennacherib’s letter before God and asking for deliverance.
- God’s Response: God sends a message through Isaiah, declaring that He will defend the city and destroy the Assyrian army.
- Divine Intervention: An angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib’s retreat.
Analysis of Key Verses
Several verses in this chapter stand out for their theological and literary significance:
- Isaiah 37:1-2: Hezekiah’s humble approach to God is a model for seeking divine help in times of crisis.
- Isaiah 37:14-20: Hezekiah’s prayer is a powerful example of laying one’s burdens before God and acknowledging His sovereignty.
- Isaiah 37:33-35: God’s promise to protect Jerusalem emphasizes His covenant faithfulness and the assurance of His presence with His people.
- Isaiah 37:36: The swift and decisive action of God against the Assyrians illustrates His power over earthly rulers and armies.
Theological Implications
This chapter raises important theological questions and affirmations:
- The Nature of God: God is portrayed as a protector and deliverer, emphasizing His active role in human history.
- The Power of Prayer: Hezekiah’s prayer illustrates the significance of seeking God’s intervention and the belief that He hears and answers prayers.
- Human Agency and Divine Will: While Hezekiah takes action to seek help, it is ultimately God who determines the outcome, highlighting the interplay between human effort and divine sovereignty.
Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 37 serves as a profound reminder of the importance of faith, prayer, and reliance on God in times of trouble. It illustrates that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, God remains in control and is capable of delivering His people from harm. The chapter encourages readers to trust in God’s promises and to seek His guidance in all circumstances.
