Hezekiah’s Prayer: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Deliverance

✨ Executive Summary ✨

Isaiah 37 recounts a pivotal moment in the reign of King Hezekiah. Surrounded by the overwhelming Assyrian army led by Sennacherib, Hezekiah doesn’t resort to earthly power, but rather turns to fervent prayer. This chapter beautifully illustrates the power of faith and humility in the face of insurmountable odds. God’s intervention, fulfilling His promise through the prophet Isaiah, dramatically alters the course of history, showcasing His unwavering faithfulness. The swift and devastating defeat of the Assyrian army serves as a profound testament to God’s sovereignty and His protection over those who trust in Him. This narrative provides enduring lessons on trusting in God’s power rather than our own, and relying on prayer as a potent weapon against any adversity. True deliverance comes not from strength of arms, but from the strength of faith. We at dohost.us managed wordpress hosting appreciate the need for reliabilty!

📖 Introduction 📖

Isaiah 37 stands as a beacon of hope and divine intervention in the Old Testament. The Assyrian empire, a formidable force of its time, posed an existential threat to Judah and its people. King Hezekiah, known for his piety, faced an impossible situation. However, rather than succumbing to despair, he exemplified unwavering faith, seeking God’s intervention through sincere prayer and reliance on the prophetic word. This chapter offers invaluable insights into the nature of God, the power of prayer, and the consequences of pride and unbelief. The story serves as a timeless reminder that even in the darkest of times, God’s grace and protection are readily available to those who call upon Him. This chapter is all about the *power of Hezekiah’s prayer*.

📜 Commentary Sections 📜

Isaiah 37:1-2

Isaiah 37:1-2 (KJV): 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. 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.

Isaiah 37:1-2 (NKJV): And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord. Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

Hezekiah’s immediate response to the threat is deeply symbolic. Tearing his clothes and covering himself with sackcloth are outward signs of mourning, repentance, and humility before God. His entering “the house of the LORD” signifies a turning towards God in prayer and supplication. Sending representatives to Isaiah further highlights Hezekiah’s recognition of the prophet as God’s mouthpiece. This act of humility is crucial. St. Cyril of Alexandria states, ἡ ταπεινοφροσύνη κλείς ἐστι τῶν δωρεῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ (hē tapeinophrosynē kleis esti tōn dōreōn tou Theou) – “Humility is the key to the gifts of God” (Cyril of Alexandria, *Commentary on Isaiah*, PG 70, 896). Hezekiah’s humility unlocks the divine response.

• Spiritual Application: In times of crisis, our first instinct should be to turn to God in prayer and humility, seeking His guidance and intervention. Actions speak louder than words, so repent and seek the Lord!

Isaiah 37:3-4

Isaiah 37:3-4 (KJV): 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. 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.

Isaiah 37:3-4 (NKJV): And they said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah: ‘This day is a day of trouble and rebuke and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth. It may be that the Lord your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’”

Hezekiah’s message to Isaiah uses a powerful metaphor: childbirth without strength. This illustrates the dire situation – imminent danger without the resources to overcome it. The term “blasphemy” refers to the Rabshakeh’s (Assyrian official’s) taunting words against God. Hezekiah hopes that God will hear and rebuke this blasphemy, thus intervening on behalf of the “remnant” of Judah. The plea for prayer emphasizes intercession as a vital spiritual weapon. St. Macarius the Great notes, Δεήσει και προσευχή κρατεῖται ὁ διάβολος (Deēsei kai proseuchē krateitai ho diabolos) – “The devil is overcome by supplication and prayer” (Macarius the Great, *Homilies*, 15.25). Here, prayer becomes the tool to overcome a seemingly insurmountable demonic presence through the Assyrians.

• Spiritual Application: When facing seemingly impossible situations, remember to seek intercession and believe that prayer is a powerful force that can change circumstances.

Isaiah 37:5-7

Isaiah 37:5-7 (KJV): So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 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. 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.

Isaiah 37:5-7 (NKJV): Then the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. And Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Surely I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”’”

God’s response through Isaiah is direct and reassuring: “Be not afraid.” He acknowledges the blasphemy and promises swift judgment. The “blast” (רוּחַ, *ruach* in Hebrew) could refer to a divine spirit or a destructive force. The prophecy of Sennacherib’s return and death in his own land provides specific hope and demonstrates God’s control over earthly rulers. This echoes the belief in God’s providential care. As St. Athanasius writes, Πάντα δι’ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν (Panta di’ autou egeneto, kai chōris autou egeneto oude hen) – “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made” (Athanasius, *Against the Heathen*, 41). This illustrates that all power and all events are subject to God’s will.

• Spiritual Application: Trust in God’s promises, even when facing overwhelming challenges. Remember that God is sovereign and has the power to intervene on your behalf.

Isaiah 37:14-20: Hezekiah’s Prayer

Isaiah 37:14-20 (KJV): 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. And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying, 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. Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries, 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. 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.

Isaiah 37:14-20 (NKJV): And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying: “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 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 destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.”

This is the heart of the chapter: Hezekiah’s powerful prayer. Spreading the letter before the Lord is a visual act of placing the problem directly in God’s hands. His prayer acknowledges God’s sovereignty (“Lord of hosts”), His unique divinity (“Thou art the God, even thou alone”), and His creative power (“Thou hast made heaven and earth”). He emphasizes that the Assyrian kings’ victories were against false gods, while Sennacherib is now challenging the *living God*. Hezekiah’s ultimate plea is for God to save them so that “all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.” This is not just about personal survival, but about God’s glory being revealed. St. John Chrysostom says, Τὸ γὰρ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ δοξάζεται ἐν ὑμῖν (To gar onoma tou theou doxazetai en hymin) – “For the name of God is glorified in you” (John Chrysostom, *Homilies on Romans*, 2.5). Hezekiah understands that Judah’s deliverance will glorify God’s name before all nations.

• Spiritual Application: Prayer should be sincere, specific, and focused on God’s glory. Bring your problems before Him with humility and faith, trusting that He will answer according to His will.

Isaiah 37:21-35: God’s Response Through Isaiah

Isaiah 37:21-35 (KJV): 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: 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. 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. By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, With 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. I have digged and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places. 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. 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. But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. 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. And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such as grow of themselves, 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 fruits thereof. And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: 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. 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. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

Isaiah 37:21-35 (NKJV): Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word which the Lord has spoken concerning him: “The virgin, the daughter of Zion, has despised you, laughed you to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head behind your back! Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice, and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel. Also by your servants you have reproached the Lord, and said, ‘By the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the limits of Lebanon; I will cut down its tall cedars and its choice cypress trees; I will enter its farthest height, to its fruitful forest.’ I have dug wells and drunk water, and with the soles of my feet I have dried up all the rivers of besieged places.’ Have you not heard of old how I made it, from ancient times that I formed it? Now I have brought it to pass, that you should be for crushing fortified cities into heaps of ruins. Therefore their inhabitants had little power; they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, blighted before it is grown. But I know your dwelling place, your going out and your coming in, and your rage against Me. Because your rage against Me and your tumult have come up to My ears, therefore I will put My hook in your nose and My bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way which you came.’ “This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, the second year what springs from the same, and in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and those who escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: “He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,” says the Lord. “For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”

God’s response through Isaiah is a powerful rebuke of Sennacherib’s pride and arrogance. God reminds him that his victories are only allowed because of God’s own purposes. The prophecy includes specific details: Sennacherib will not enter Jerusalem, nor even shoot an arrow there. The sign of the three-year agricultural recovery further confirms God’s promise of restoration. Ultimately, God’s defense of Jerusalem is “for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake,” showing that God’s covenant faithfulness is a driving force behind His actions. This demonstrates *Hezekiah’s prayer* was heard because of God’s plan.

• Spiritual Application: Remember that pride comes before a fall. Humble yourself before God, and recognize that all your achievements are ultimately due to His grace.

Isaiah 37:36-38: The Defeat of the Assyrian Army

Isaiah 37:36-38 (KJV): 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. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. 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.

Isaiah 37:36-38 (NKJV): Then the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were all the corpses—dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

The fulfillment of the prophecy is swift and dramatic. “The angel of the LORD” (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה, *mal’akh YHWH*) strikes the Assyrian army, killing 185,000 in one night. The scale of this devastation is almost unimaginable, demonstrating God’s immense power. Sennacherib returns to Nineveh, where he is eventually assassinated by his own sons while worshiping his false god Nisroch. This confirms the prophecy and underscores the futility of trusting in idols. The urban center of Nineveh becomes the stage for Sennacherib’s demise, a stark contrast to the vibrant cedars of Lebanon he boasted about cutting down. This exemplifies God’s ultimate justice.

• Spiritual Application: God is faithful to His promises. Trust in His power and protection, even when circumstances seem impossible. He is able to accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine.

💡 Key Reflections 💡

Key teachings we can gather from Isaiah 37 include:

• Prayer is Powerful: Hezekiah’s prayer moved God to action, demonstrating the effectiveness of fervent, sincere prayer.
• Humility is Rewarded: Hezekiah’s humility and repentance opened the way for God’s intervention.
• God Defends His Name: God’s primary motivation for delivering Jerusalem was to defend His own glory and reputation.
• Pride Leads to Destruction: Sennacherib’s arrogance and blasphemy resulted in his ultimate downfall.
• God is Sovereign: God is in control of all nations and rulers, using them to accomplish His purposes.
• Faithfulness to Covenant: God remembered His covenant with David and acted to protect Jerusalem.

❓ FAQ ❓

Some commonly asked questions about Isaiah 37:

• Q: What was the significance of Hezekiah spreading the letter before the Lord?
  A: Spreading the letter was a symbolic act of placing the problem directly in God’s hands, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His intervention.
• Q: What is the meaning of the “angel of the LORD” in verse 36?
  A: The “angel of the LORD” is often interpreted as a manifestation of God’s power or presence, acting as His agent to carry out His judgment.
• Q: How does this chapter relate to the overall message of the book of Isaiah?
  A: Isaiah 37 exemplifies the themes of trust in God, the consequences of pride, and God’s faithfulness to His covenant, which are central to the book of Isaiah.
• Q: Can this story be interpreted allegorically?
  A: Yes, the story can be seen as an allegory for the spiritual battles that believers face, where prayer and faith are essential weapons against the forces of evil.

🕊️ Conclusion 🕊️

Isaiah 37 is a timeless testament to the power of prayer, the importance of humility, and the unwavering faithfulness of God. *Hezekiah’s prayer* in the face of overwhelming adversity is a powerful example of how to respond in times of crisis. His actions, from tearing his clothes to seeking the prophet Isaiah, demonstrate a deep reliance on God’s promises. God’s dramatic intervention, defeating the Assyrian army and protecting Jerusalem, showcases His sovereignty and His commitment to His people. We learn that true strength lies not in earthly power, but in a humble and trusting relationship with the Almighty. This chapter reminds us to turn to God in prayer, trust in His promises, and rely on His power to overcome any challenge. Ultimately, the story of Hezekiah is a story of hope, deliverance, and the glory of God revealed through faith and obedience.

Tags

Hezekiah, Isaiah, Assyria, Sennacherib, Prayer, Deliverance, Faith, Humility, God’s Protection, Old Testament

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Explore Isaiah 37: A Coptic Orthodox commentary on Hezekiah’s prayer and God’s miraculous deliverance from the Assyrian army. Learn about *Hezekiah’s prayer* and the power of faith.