Hezekiah is a good example of someone who relies on the LORD, plans ahead and accesses what is needed to win the battle. When Jesus came he asked people to follow him and to decide before hand what that would cost them.

This post is part of my bible in a year series.

Passage and Comments

Hezekiah’s reign continues and his service in the LORD is noted.

32 After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself. (2 Chr 32:1)

Sennacherib brings a large army. It might be right for a king in this situation to surrender and perhaps offer terms of peace. But Hezekiah prepares for war.

2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and intended to fight against Jerusalem, 3 he planned with his officers and his mighty men to stop the water of the springs that were outside the city; and they helped him. 4 A great many people were gathered, and they stopped all the springs and the brook that flowed through the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?” (2 Chr 32:2–4)

First Hezekiah cuts off potential supplies Sennacherib may make use of. Many people help him.

5 He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. (2 Chr 32:5)

Then he fortifies the existing wall and builds another around it. If the battle is protracted, at some point the enemy will be situated between them. Making them a good target for arrows, stones and fire. Then he makes sure his army has enough weapons and armour.

6 And he set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, 7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chr 32:6–8)

Lastly he organises his men and encourages them with a rousing speech boasting in the LORD. Hezekiah has seen the enemy, he has deliberated whether he can defeat it and counted the cost. Hezekiah trusts in the LORD. So he has decided he wants to fight and win. Then he has worked hard to make it happen.

Story of Israel

Despite sometimes overwhelming odds God has sometimes called his people to trust in him and go into battle against seemingly superior forces. Through Moses he commanded Joshua to take the promised land (Dt 1.21). Joshua believed the LORD was with him and that he could win (Josh 1.6-9). Gideon needing a bit of assurance took on the Midianites and Amalekites (Jdg 7.9-18). Unfortunately not all the kings of Israel and Judah followed the LORD or trusted he was with them. It showed when they resorted to asking their foreign neighbours for help rather than the LORD. Sometimes with disastrous consequences! (e.g. 2 Chr 28.16-21)

Story of Jesus

Hezekiah is a good example of someone who relies on the LORD, plans ahead and accesses what is needed to win the battle. When Jesus came he asked people to follow him and to decide before hand what that would cost them.

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Lk 14:25–33)

Jesus calls all people to follow him and be his disciples. There are many who have been following him for a long time. Others for not as long. Are you willing to keep following him? To count the cost? and do what is necessary to win the victory of faith (1 Jn 5.4-5)?

Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.

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