2 Chronicles 32

What’s Happening?

King David’s descendant Hezekiah is on the throne and leading Judah into an era of faithfulness to God’s commands. But Hezekiah’s leadership and Judah’s faithfulness are tested when Assyria’s general Sennacherib invades Judah (2 Chronicles 32:1). When Hezekiah began his reforms he told his people that if they chose to worship God once again, God would return to his people and end Assyrian oppression (2 Chronicles 30:9). Sennacherib’s invasion represents a test of Hezekiah’s leadership and Judah’s faithfulness to God. 

Hezekiah fortifies Jesuralem in preparation for war (2 Chronicles 32:1-5). And like David, when facing Goliath, Hezekiah rallies his people by reminding them that the God who is with them is greater than the enemies they face (2 Chronicles 32:6-8; 1 Samuel 17:45-47). Meanwhile Sennacherib, like Goliath, mocks Hezekiah and Judah’s faithfulness to God. Every so-called god Sennacherib has battled has fallen under his sword, and he’s confident Judah’s God will be no different (2 Chronicles 32:10-19). But Hezekiah prays to God for help, and God defeats Assyria’s forces (2 Chronicles 32:20-21). God rewards Hezekiah’s leadership for trusting him alone, and gives Judah peace and prosperity for the rest of Hezekiah’s reign (2 Chronicles 32:22-23). 

After recording Hezekah’s faithfulness, the Chronicler recounts Hezekiah’s failure. During Assyria’s campaign God healed Hezekiah from a serious illness, but instead of being thankful, Hezekiah becomes prideful. But when he is confronted with the consequences of this pride, Hezekiah repents and God blesses the rest of his reign (2 Chronicles 32:24-30). But after this, envoys from Babylon come to visit Hezekiah, presumably to offer their assistance against the Assyrians. We’re told it’s another test of Hezekiah and his faithfulness (2 Chronicles 32:31).

Where is the Gospel?

One of Hezekiah’s greatest moments was when he encouraged his troubled and besieged people that God is with them and is greater than their enemies. It’s a reminder of his forefather David’s words in his fight against Goliath. And it's a foreshadow of both David and Hezekiah’s greatest descendant, Jesus who encouraged his disciples with the same truth. He not only encouraged them as their King, but as God himself. Jesus comforted his troubled disciples by telling tham that despite the dangers they will face in the world, he has overcome the world (John 16:33). Jesus is God with us and God in us, and he is greater than any power in the world (1 John 4:4).

Yet too often, the powers in the world seem overwhelming. World wars threaten our countries, and world leaders push blasphemous agendas. And in those moments of testing, we must remember we have Jesus as our King, who leads his people in trusting God for deliverance. 

When David trusted God, God helped him defeat a giant with a small slingshot and free his people. When Hezekiah trusted God, God defeated an army and liberated Jerusalem. And when Jesus trusted God, he defeated Death and Sin through his death and resurrection and saved his people from their power forever. Because of Jesus, the greater Hezekiah, all enemies have been disarmed. We can face them knowing that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is with us, and he will not let us fail (Colossians 2:15). 

See for Yourself

So I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who is greater than our enemies. And may you see Jesus as the one who is with and lives in us, always.