narrative warfare from the old testament

(some trust in chariots, pt 2)

Dear Friends,

2 Chronicles 32 recounts the attempted takedown of Jerusalem in the time of Hezekiah by the king of Assyria and his army. It’s a great story. Let me provide a synopsis.

Hezekiah, the king of Judah, seeing the threat from the king of Assyria, tells his people:

Be strong and take heart; have no fear, and do not be troubled on account of the king of Assyria and all the great army with him: for there is a greater with us. With him is an arm of flesh; but we have the Lord our God, helping us and fighting for us. And the people put their faith in what Hezekiah, king of Judah, said. 

The king of Assyria then tries to put fear in the hearts of Hezekiah’s people by telling them:

In what are you placing your hope, waiting here in the walled town of Jerusalem? Is it not Hezekiah … causing your death from need of food and water, by saying, The Lord our God will give us salvation out of the hands of the king of Assyria? … Have you no knowledge of what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of every land? Were the gods of the nations of those lands able to keep their land from falling into my hands? Who was there among all the gods of those nations, which my fathers put to destruction, who was able to keep his people safe from my hands? And is it possible that your God will keep you safe from my hands? So do not be tricked by Hezekiah or let him get you to do this, and do not put any faith in what he says: for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to keep his people safe from my hands, or the hands of my fathers: how much less will your God keep you safe from my hands! … As the gods of the nations of other lands have not been able to keep their people safe from my hands, no more will the God of Hezekiah keep his people safe from my hands.

Hezekiah and Isaiah then decide to get together, pray and cry out to heaven.

The Lord then sends an angel who puts to death all the men of war and the chiefs and the captains in the army of the king of Assyria.

The king of Assyria goes back to his country in shame and is put to death by his own sons.

Great story, huh? You can read the full story here, in the Bible version of your choice. It’s less than a chapter.

Trust in God and fear not. Don’t make decisions out of fear.

God bless,

Robert J. Borer