646 THE KING’S BUSINESS Sennacherib’s Invasion of Judah JULY 22, 1917. LESSON IV. 2 Kings 19:20-22, 28-37. (Read 2 Kings 18:13-37. Memorize 19:32, 33). G olden T ext : “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in (rouble:”— Ps. 46:1. DAILY BIBLE READINGS Mon., July 16....2 Kings 18:13-25. (The Lesson).
Tues., July 17—2 Kings 18:26-37. Wed., July 18—2 Kings 19:1-7. Thurs., July 19—2 Kings 19:8-19. Fri., July 20—2 Kings 19:20-28, Sat., July 21—2 Kings 19:29-37. Sun., July 22—Psalm 46. EXPOSITION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
reward (cf. ch. 18:5-27). We do not get deliverance from our enemies simply because we do not trust j3od for it and ask God for it (James 4:2). For the same reason God does not show us the “great and mighty things” which He showed to others who pray (Jer. 33:3).' God is as ready to say to us as He did to Hezekiah, “Thy prayer is heard,” if we will only meet the conditions of prevail ing prayer (1 John 3:22; 5:14, 15; Rom.. 8:26, 27; John 4:13, 14; 15:7; Mark 11:24- 26). , v. 21. “This is the Word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the (omit the) daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.” Sennacherib had great armies on his side, but the “virgin daugh ter Qf Zion” had God Almighty on her side. The one who has God on his side can laugh to scorn the most potent of his enemies (cf. 2 Chron. 33:7, 8 ; Rom. 8:31; Ps. 2:1-4). v. 22. “Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? And against whom hast thou exalted thy vocie , , (om it, ) and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy one of Israel.” It was an important ques tion and a very solemn question that God had, put to Sennacherib: “Whom hast thou ■reproached and blasphemed?” It is an important question also for everyone who
v. 20. ‘‘Then Isaiah the son of Amos sent to Hesekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God ' the God) of Israel, That which ( Whereas) thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard (add thee).’’ God hears prayer. God does things because we pray that He would not have done if we had not prayed. There was more power in Hezekiah’s prayer than there was in all. his armies. His armies were powerless against the overwhelming hosts of Sennacherib, but his prayers pre vailed against him. Hezekiah’s prayer laid 185,000 of his enemies in the grave. When God hears a prayer He grants the thing that He is asked to do. (1 John 5:15). Hezekiah had asked God to save them out of the hand of Sennacherib (v. 19) apd God did it. One great reason why God heard Hezekiah’s prayer was because it was God’s glory that Hezekiah sought in that prayer (v. 19). One great reason why- many of our prayers are not heard is because they are selfish, seeking our own gratification and not God’s honor (.James 4:3, R. V.). This was not the only occa sion upon which Jehovah said to Hezekiah, “I have heard thy prayer” (cf. ch. 25). God’s hearing Hezekiah’s prayer was the fulfillment of the promise he makes to all His children: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Ps. 50:15). Hez ekiah trusted Jehovah and received his
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