Hezekiah’s Faith and Assyrian Threat: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on 2 Kings 18

Executive Summary

2 Kings 18 recounts the reign of Hezekiah, a king who “did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 18:3). This chapter highlights his religious reforms, purging idolatry and restoring true worship, mirroring the continual need for spiritual renewal in our own lives. As Assyria, a formidable world power, threatened Judah, Hezekiah’s faith was tested. He initially attempted to appease the Assyrians with tribute, revealing a flicker of doubt. However, when faced with blasphemous threats against God, Hezekiah turned to prayer and sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah, demonstrating the power of faith in the face of adversity. The chapter serves as a powerful reminder that true security lies not in earthly alliances but in unwavering trust in God. Hezekiah’s faith is an example to us all.

This chapter from 2 Kings offers profound insights into leadership, faith, and the sovereignty of God, applicable to our lives today. Hezekiah’s story is a potent reminder of the transformative power of repentance and the unwavering faithfulness of God in times of crisis. The parallels between the ancient world and our modern struggles are striking, urging us to examine our own reliance on worldly solutions versus divine intervention.

Commentary

2 Kings 18:1-3 – Hezekiah’s Righteous Reign

KJV: Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did.

Hezekiah’s reign began in a time of great spiritual decline in the northern kingdom of Israel. His commitment to doing what was right, emulating King David, sets him apart from many of his predecessors. This emphasizes the importance of righteous leadership. Hezekiah’s commitment to righteousness demonstrates a dedication that mirrors the teachings found throughout the Wisdom Books, particularly Proverbs. The significance of lineage and maternal influence, as highlighted by the mention of his mother Abi, underscores the role of faithful upbringing. ✨

Spiritual Application: We are called to emulate Hezekiah’s commitment to righteousness in our own lives. This means actively seeking to align our actions with God’s will and striving for spiritual renewal. Just as Hezekiah’s reign began with reform, so too can our lives be marked by a constant striving towards holiness.

2 Kings 18:4 – Destroying Idolatry

KJV: He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

Hezekiah’s bold act of destroying the bronze serpent (Nehushtan), originally made by Moses at God’s command (Numbers 21:9), reveals his uncompromising stance against idolatry. Though initially a symbol of healing and deliverance, the people had turned it into an object of worship. This highlights the danger of clinging to even seemingly sacred things when they become idols. This relates directly to St. Paul’s instruction in Colossians 3:5, to put to death earthly desires that can draw us away from God. 📖

Ἀπέθανετε οὖν τὰ μέλη τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν, ἀκαθαρσίαν, πάθος, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία. (Colossians 3:5, Greek). “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Spiritual Application: We must be vigilant in identifying and removing idols from our own lives. These idols may not be physical images, but anything that takes precedence over our relationship with God, such as material possessions, career ambition, or even personal relationships.

2 Kings 18:5-6 – Trusting in the Lord

KJV: He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.

The statement that “after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him” underscores the exceptional nature of Hezekiah’s faith. His unwavering trust in God and obedience to His commandments set him apart. Hezekiah’s complete trust in God mirrors the unwavering faith of Abraham, who “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Hezekiah’s faith should inspire us to cultivate a similar dependence on God.🕊️

Spiritual Application: True faith involves more than just intellectual assent; it requires a complete surrender of our lives to God and a willingness to obey His commandments. We are called to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in God, even when faced with difficult circumstances.

2 Kings 18:7-8 – Prosperity and Victory

KJV: And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not. He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

Hezekiah’s rebellion against the king of Assyria demonstrates his faith-driven boldness. His military successes against the Philistines further illustrate God’s blessing on his reign. This verse demonstrates that obedience to God is often followed by temporal blessings and victory over enemies. This success also reflects God’s promise to bless those who follow Him, as we see in Deuteronomy 28.💡

Spiritual Application: We are called to stand firm against injustice and oppression, trusting that God will empower us to overcome even the most formidable challenges. While earthly prosperity is not always guaranteed, we can be confident that God will be with us in our struggles.

2 Kings 18:9-12 – The Fall of Samaria

KJV: And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it. And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. For they were taken away, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.

The fall of Samaria serves as a stark warning to Judah. It highlights the consequences of disobedience and idolatry. The northern kingdom’s downfall occurred due to their rejection of God’s covenant, providing a cautionary tale for all nations, including Judah. The deuterocanonical book of Sirach also stresses the importance of heeding divine warnings (Sirach 21:1-2). 📜

Spiritual Application: We must heed the lessons of history and avoid the mistakes of those who have gone before us. Disobedience to God has serious consequences, both individually and corporately. We must remain vigilant in our pursuit of righteousness and obedience.

2 Kings 18:13-16 – Hezekiah’s Tribute

KJV: Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king’s house. At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.

In a moment of apparent weakness, Hezekiah attempts to appease Sennacherib with tribute. This reveals a moment of doubt and fear, highlighting the struggle between faith and worldly security. The historian Josephus recounts that Hezekiah initially tried to secure alliances with Egypt before resorting to tribute, further illustrating his wavering faith. This moment underscores the temptation to rely on earthly solutions instead of God’s promises.

Spiritual Application: We must be careful not to compromise our faith in times of crisis. While it is wise to seek practical solutions, we must never place our ultimate trust in earthly resources or alliances. Our primary reliance should always be on God. When looking for website solutions, remember to prioritize your spiritual needs above all else.

2 Kings 18:17-37 – Sennacherib’s Blasphemous Threats

KJV: And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood beside the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field. And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. But if ye say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away? and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem? Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? Am I now come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that are on the wall. But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you? Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spake, saying, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and then eat ye every man of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

Rabshakeh’s speech is a masterpiece of psychological warfare. He uses mockery, intimidation, and lies to undermine the people’s faith in God and their king. He brazenly equates the God of Israel with the idols of other nations, a profound blasphemy. The language used is harsh and intended to demoralize the defenders of Jerusalem. St. Athanasius, in *Contra Gentes*, emphasizes the uniqueness of the God of Israel and His transcendence over all false gods. (Αθανάσιος, *Κατά Εθνών*, PG 25:3-104) This serves as a reminder that the enemy often uses similar tactics to undermine our faith.✨

Spiritual Application: We must be discerning in the face of deceptive rhetoric and stand firm in our faith. The enemy will often try to undermine our confidence in God through doubt, fear, and lies. We must resist these tactics and cling to the truth of God’s Word.

Key Reflections on Faith in Adversity

This chapter offers several key reflections for believers navigating trials:

• The Importance of Righteous Leadership: Hezekiah’s example demonstrates the power of righteous leadership in influencing a nation’s spiritual health. Leaders are called to exemplify integrity and faithfulness.
• The Danger of Idolatry: Idols can take many forms, and we must be vigilant in identifying and removing them from our lives. This includes anything that takes precedence over our relationship with God.
• The Power of Unwavering Faith: Hezekiah’s trust in God, even when faced with overwhelming odds, serves as an inspiration to us. True faith involves a complete surrender to God and a willingness to obey His commandments.
• The Sovereignty of God: Despite the Assyrians’ power, God remained sovereign over all. He ultimately delivered Jerusalem from their hand, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who trust in Him.
• The Enemy’s Tactics: Rabshakeh’s speech reveals the enemy’s tactics of deception, intimidation, and blasphemy. We must be aware of these tactics and resist them by clinging to the truth of God’s Word.
• The Importance of Prayer: While not explicitly detailed in this part of the chapter, the narrative leads into Hezekiah’s reliance on prayer in chapter 19, highlighting its crucial role in times of crisis.

FAQ ❓

Q: Why did Hezekiah initially pay tribute to Assyria?
A: Hezekiah likely paid tribute out of fear and a desire to avoid war. This reflects a moment of weakness and a temptation to rely on earthly solutions rather than trusting solely in God’s protection.

Q: What was the significance of Rabshakeh’s speech?
A: Rabshakeh’s speech was a deliberate attempt to undermine the morale of the people of Jerusalem. He used psychological warfare to instill fear and doubt, challenging their faith in God and their king.

Q: How does this chapter relate to Coptic Orthodox teachings on faith?
A: The chapter underscores the Coptic Orthodox emphasis on unwavering faith in God, repentance, and the importance of righteous leadership. It also highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and the need to resist the enemy’s tactics.

Q: What can we learn from Hezekiah’s mistakes in this chapter?
A: Hezekiah’s initial attempt to appease Assyria with tribute teaches us the importance of placing our trust solely in God, even in times of crisis. It reminds us not to compromise our faith for temporary relief or security.

Conclusion

2 Kings 18 provides a compelling narrative of faith, fear, and divine intervention. Hezekiah’s reign began with righteous reforms, demonstrating his devotion to God. However, his attempt to appease the Assyrians with tribute reveals a moment of weakness, reminding us that even the most faithful can waver. Rabshakeh’s blasphemous threats serve as a stark reminder of the enemy’s tactics and the importance of resisting his lies. The chapter ultimately underscores the power of unwavering faith in God, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. As we strive to live out our faith in the modern world, we can draw inspiration from Hezekiah’s example, learning to trust in God’s sovereignty and to resist the temptations of fear and doubt. The key takeaway is the critical need to place our unwavering Hezekiah’s faith in God, not in earthly solutions, particularly when faced with trials and tribulations. This trust should be our foundation, guiding our decisions and shaping our responses to the challenges of life. Remember to visit our resource site to learn more.

Tags

Hezekiah, Assyria, Sennacherib, Judah, Jerusalem, Faith, Idolatry, Rabshakeh, Reforms, 2 Kings 18

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Explore 2 Kings 18 with a Coptic Orthodox perspective. Uncover the lessons of Hezekiah’s reign, Assyrian invasion, and the power of Hezekiah’s faith in times of crisis.