Category: OTC

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Bildad’s hurtful words and Job’s Response

Job 18-19

Bildad continues the rant against Job, “When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk” (Job 18:2), then provides a list of attributes to support his argument. In particular, I found this statement to be cruel:

He has no offspring or descendants among his people,
no survivor where once he lived.
Job 18:19

That’s a little too personal Bildad! Here’s a man who love his kids and just lost them all in odd circumstances and you dare to toss this in his face? But just in case Job doesn’t understand your position, you clarify it with:

Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man;
such is the place of one who does not know God.
Job 18:21

Job responds by pleading with his friends for pity, for an ounce of appreciation for all he’s gone through, “If it is true that I have gone astray, my error remains my concern alone” (Job 19:4). Job provides evidence that he is left alone, disowned by his family, his servants don’t listen, and even “My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family” (Job 19:17).

Job wraps up his response to Bildad with this wonderful thought:

I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
Job 19:25-27

Job refuses to give up on God, though he is confused about the methods employed, he looks deep within for the Lord.

From their perspective, Job’s friends see the worst of all possible scenarios. Their digs are getting deeper and their words more harsh and personal. If they were trying the tough-love approach before, now they seem to have placed themselves in lofty places and cast Job among the dogs of earth. Sad.

These words provide a warning to look introspectively when we descend into an argument with friends, at the very least, we should set limits on our words, though James reminds us that,

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6

Lord, help us to remember! Tame my tongue, my thoughts, even these words I type this morning.

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Eliphaz Speaks Again, Job Replies

Job 15-17 and Psalm 72

Round Two

Eliphaz takes the gloves off and pounds Job with 10 confrontational questions in rapid succession,

  1. Would a wise person answer with empty notions…?
  2. Would they argue with useless words…?
  3. Are you the first man ever born?
  4. Were you brought forth before the hills?
  5. Do you listen in on God’s council?
  6. Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?
  7. What do you know that we do not know?
  8. What insights do you have that we do not have?
  9. Are God’s consolations not enough for you…?
  10. Why has your heart carried you away…?

The 11th question is more philosophical as Eliphaz shifts from inquisitor to expositor, “What are mortals, that they could be pure, or those born of woman, that they could be righteous?” (Job 15:14)

“Listen to me and I will explain to you;
let me tell you what I have seen, what the wise have declared,
hiding nothing received from their ancestors (to whom alone the land was given when no foreigners moved among them):
All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless man through all the years stored up for him.”
Job 15:17-20

Eliphaz is convinced that all of the pain and suffering Job is dealing with is of his own doing. In his mind, this is a simple argument that needs to be pounded into Job’s head by providing evidence of many others who have fallen because of their sin.

It’s so much easier to ascribe pain and suffering to sin than to deal with the much larger issue that we are in a fallen world, that bad things do happen to good people. Honestly, it’s so much harder to have a conversation with those far from Christ because of this dilemma, but it is a real conversation about real life. Eliphaz wants to hold fast to the simple formula, if…then or your sin = your punishment, but it’s more complicated than that.

Job’s Reply

“I have heard many things like these;
you are miserable comforters, all of you!
Job 16:2

I’m reminded that during all of this discussion Job is dealing with sores from head to foot; the tragic loss of his family is compounded by disease and great discomfort. Then his friends arrive!

Job asserts he would approach the problem differently if roles were reversed:

But my mouth would encourage you;
comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5

Hmmm…I wonder if this would be the case. It’s a lofty goal to be pursued and worth mentally swapping shoes with those who are afflicted. Perhaps the perspective would do us some good after all.

Chapter 17 turns dark as Job concedes his death is imminent and afraid he will not be exonerated before the grave wins. His urgent appeal seems to mark the center point in the narrative:

“But come on, all of you, try again!
where then is my hope–who can see any hope for me?
Will it go down to the gates of death?
Will we descend together into the dust?”
Job 17:10, 15-16

Where then is my hope? Can we deal with worldly problems and yet hang onto hope? If Job was able to, in his extreme example, certainly we can without any doubt. We are on the other side of the resurrection, we have Christ to rely on–our hope is secure. But this is not so clear to those outside of the faith. Navigating these waters is difficult, challenging and costly (at least in emotional terms). We will be tried, of this we are certain. Lord, help us as we reach out to others who have given into the world, who see the simple cause and effect scenario and have given up on hope. May we be the small light that guides them to you. Help us to have eyes to see how you see, especially today.

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Zophar Speaks, Job Replies

Job 11-14

Zophar picks up where Bildad left off with another cold slap in the face:

“Is this talker to be vindicated?
Will your idle talk reduce others to silence?
Will no one rebuke you when you mock? Job 11:2-3

To add insult to injury, Zophar then mocks Job by reducing his arguments to the phrase: “My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight” (Job 11:4). No, Zophar, that’s not what Job said, but thanks for throwing that in his face! He’s not done yet: “But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.” (Job 11:12).

As a software programmer, I can’t help but highlight Zophar’s if..then logical solution:

if ( ( you devote your heart to him ) && 
     ( stretch out your hands to him ) ) 
{
   if  ( ( you put away the sin that is in your hand ) && 
         ( allow no evil to dwell in your tent ) ) 
   {
         then,
         free of fault, you will lift up your face;
         you will stand firm and
         without fear.
   }
} 
Job 11:13-15

Job Replies

Job’s reply goes something like this, “Isn’t it wonderful to know that you guys, my friends, are the wisest the world has ever known!! I’m so blessed to have such amazingly friends!” [the bright neon sarcasm sign is flashing]

“Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you! But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?”
“My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. Job 12:2-3, 13:1-2

The debate is really heating up now. In my imagination I see Job and his comrades in an open room stomping around as they take turns in venting frustration from the hand that life has dealt. His friends are confident that Job has committed some grievous sin that he simply will not confess so they turn up the rhetoric loud and clear.  Job affirms his understanding that God is the God of the land, sea and sky; he is the Lord of all: the good and those who are evil. God’s power and wisdom cannot be questioned, “What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; those he imprisons cannot be released” (Job 12:14). Then he slips in another jab:

He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders. Job 12:20

Hint, hint my friends,

“If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom!”
“Will you argue the case for God?”
“Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.” Job 13:5, 8, 13

I’m reminded of Brennan Manning’s, The Ragamuffin Gospel, chapter 7, where the story moves to a rehab center. Max is on the hot-seat, refusing to admit his addiction to alcohol and the tragic consequences. It’s a compelling story that unpacks the notion of counterfeit grace and quite difficult to read without getting swept up in the pain Max must have felt. Job’s friends are convinced that their “tough love” is exactly what he needs right now. From their perspective, they are simply being great friends that are not afraid to call him out–he’s just in denial!

Job turns introspective again and paints a picture that vividly reminds us of Grace upon Grace:

“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.” Job 14:7-9

What a wonderful picture of hope: “yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots…” I love the imagery and the affirmation that hope runs deep.

Job, once again, inadvertently points us to Jesus:

“If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.” Job 14:14

He puts his faith completely in God, though he is completely confused and frustrated by all that is happening around him.

At this point, we’ve just finished round 1 of the discourses. Job’s friends don’t know that they’re wrong and Job is himself pretty confused. Here’s the real challenge: would we be able to see clearly in this situation? At the very least I pray that we would be willing to lock ourselves in the room with our friends and tough it out, that we would have friends deep enough and strong enough in our lives to convict us, to show us where we have strayed. Lord I earnestly pray for discernment. I pray the Holy Spirit would guide my thoughts as I try to love my brothers and sisters, especially the ones I don’t know yet! Keep me humble, Lord.

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Bildad Speaks, Job Replies

friends talk

Job 8-10 and Psalm 71

Psalm 71 is a great hymn of praise for every stage in life: birth to youth to old age. Twice David appeals to God in his “old age” and throughout this is a song of hope. Job didn’t have the psalms to play, no worship team to help him get back on track, just his friends. 🙂

As I awoke this morning I thought about Job, about the handful of friends that went to console him. The first wave of words crashed with a bit of a thud, but here’s the thought: they’re still sitting there with Job. Before judging his friends too harshly, at least they are there with him. Their words will continue to pelt him, but they are locking arms in support as best they know how. It seems appropriate to remember how few friends stop what they’re doing and attempt to provide comfort in times of trouble, there are few who extend a hand when their own hands are tired. I’m reminded to be careful as I cast judgment.

Bildad Speaks

Rereading my epiphany above, I hear soothing sounds of instrumental music in my mind. Then Bildad ruins it all!

When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. Job 8:4

Thanks Bildad! Just what I wanted to hear. For years Job and his big family celebrated birthdays and he followed by providing a sacrifice just in case they sinned and you slap me in the face with this revelation! Yes Bildad, I’m so glad you came! Bildad is not done yet, he’s just getting started with examples to drive his point home: just ask your parents, check out the papyrus and reeds, you’re just a spider’s web easily swept away or a well-watered plant grabbing rocks with its roots. Suck it up buttercup!

Surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evildoers. Job 8:20

Job Replies

Yep. You are right Bildad. Who can fight with God? I love the eloquence with which Job describes the wonder of the Creator in phrase after phrase: His wisdom is profound, He moves mountains, He shakes the earth, He speaks to the sun, He alone stretches out the heavens, and more. In particular, I find his reference to constellations appealing:

He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. Job 9:9

Years ago when I was traveling with Tops in Blue, I was crushed with personal tragedy (something I’ll think about posting later). With many weeks yet to go on the tour literally around the world, I found myself wandering out late after the show was done to gaze at the heavens and ask God why? I found Orion each night as those weeks when on. Positioned in a different places it was interesting to find when we were in Korea for Christmas, or Japan, Philippines, etc., but always there. Though I don’t know that much about constellations, I was a star-gazer in my youth. I remember seeing Orion’s belt and thinking to myself that God is always there. Back to Job:

“How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him? Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.” Job 9:15

Job is just beginning to vent with these words, his rant continues as he dives into a depressing discourse, “I despise my own life…it’s all the same…” In the heat of his argument, Job unknowingly points to Jesus:

If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together…Job 9:33

He continues with words that are often on my lips these days:

Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the plans of the wicked? Job 10:3

I’m not proud of the fact that I have sinned in uttering those words. Life sucks at times, it’s not at all joyful some days, my soul is not always well, even as the song replays in my mind. My current struggle pales in comparison to that of Job and my sinful words bite me. If nothing else, I can learn that this morning.

The story is far from over. I really appreciate the words of Job here, how God allows him space to vent and especially how his friends stay there with him, even though their words are not completely on target or even appropriate, at least they are still there.

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Eliphaz Speaks, Job Replies

Job 4-7

As Beth pointed out in yesterday’s post, the story of Job is set in Abraham’s time. In these ancient days before the temple was established, before judges and kings, people still had to deal with the lifelong debate about why bad things happen to good people. As part of the wisdom literature, this singular work shows up in the middle of the Bible alongside of Psalms and Proverbs.

Here we are called to learn many lessons from the debates that ensue. One of the most important lessons seems to do with true friendship, the permission to say what is on your mind with one another in love and respect. In the discourses that follow we certainly see truth come from the words of Job’s friends, but they are the most friendly of words! I watched a Tim Keller talk yesterday that reminded me of the core reason behind this tension: we have a tendency to believe we are smarter than God. This arrogance isn’t so obvious as that sounds–we assert our pious positions unknowingly and probably far too often. This is the beauty and the wisdom wrapped in the book of Job. It’s honest and real and encourages us to listen to one another in ways that are deep and true. Sometimes, as Dr DelHousaye would say, the volume of “our response needs to be turned all the way down to shut up!”

Job breaks the silence in the previous chapter with resounding words of complaint and a great desire not only to die, but to never be born! Now, the first of his friends enters the conversation to help him understand what is going on.

Eliphaz begins by asking permission to speak, then immediately reminds Job of all the good things he’s done and taught, but he quickly calls Job’s attention to that very teaching and lets him know:

“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?” Job 4:7

Eliphaz reminds Job that he should repent, there is no way to be righteous before God (Job 4:17), that trouble is a part of life (Job 5:7) and it’s wonderful to be corrected by God! (Job 5:17). In the middle of this first round of debate, Eliphaz is not shy to offer his advice:

“But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.” Job 5:8

Because, of course dear friend, Job hasn’t already done that! Seriously? Is this your best advice dear friend?

Job is not pleased with this advice, to say the least. His reaction smacks his friend in the face with some reality and a pound of bitterness:

But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams…Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid. Job 6:15,21

Job begs his friends to show him the err of his ways, reveal the mistakes, help me understand. These are somewhat rhetorical questions, but also clues to his friends to listen and help him unpack the calamity that has beset he and his family.

Job quickly turns his attention to God. He honors God by extolling his right to give and take. In a way, Job reveres God’s great position as giving him permission to complain: God wants us to express ourselves, to be completely transparent before him.

“Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 7:11

One of my favorite quotes here, and in a few of the psalms, is quoted by C.S. Lewis implicitly and explicitly in his writings. If nothing else, take time to soak this in:

What is mankind that you make so much of them,
that you give them so much attention,
that you examine them every morning
and test them every moment? Job 7:17-18

How is it, Lord, that we are worthy of your attention? Do you really love us so much that you would stop to consider our pain and suffering? Humble me this morning, Lord, and nourish my soul, my inner most being with your love. Show me in ways that words and music fail to express. When I hear the bird chirp to see the genuine smile from a friend, remind me that your love is oceans greater and my pettiness is unfounded. Teach me through the words of Job and his friends we can be real with one another.

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Job – Prologue and Testing

Job 1-3 and Psalm 70

Years ago I was taking a psychology class and for some forgotten reason I used Psalm 70 as the text for a song I used as my presentation. This was not a Christian college, though the name was Saint Leo College, and certainly not a Christian class, but it was my rogue attempt at evangelism.

O Lord to my rescue,
O Lord to my help make haste.

For the next week I’ll be exploring Job. The timing of this quick study is somewhat apropos as worldly challenges surround our family. Immediately, I’m humbled by the small difficulties we face and honestly, I’m so far from being as worthy as Job was that to compare my challenges with his is ridiculous! That confession made, Job begins.

Job – How to Be Angry

The story of Job begins in a very unusual way, a heavenly staff meeting where God prompts Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?” (Job 1:8). Satan makes the case that were God to remove the hedge of protection from around Job, his household and all his possession, Job would not be such a fine example. In Satan’s mind, “stuff” is what Job is all about.

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Job 1:12

The first observation is this: God puts everything Job has in Satan’s power and his immediate response is to destroy it all. Satan’s craft is destruction, his skill is creatively taking from others. Let that sink in (I’m really talking to myself!).

In 7 verses Job goes from a happy father of 10 children with great wealth to poor and childless. Tragedy upon tragedy greet Job this day. Job’s response:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:21

Job refuses to curse God, quite the contrary, but Satan is not finished.

The next staff meeting, Satan reappears and God once again asks him, “Have you considered my servant Job?” (Job 2:3). This time God adds, “and he still maintains his integrity…” Satan is fired up (so to speak) and enticed God to give him more leeway: “A man will give all he has for his own life…strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 2:4-5)

God agrees with the caveat that he must spare Job’s life, so Satan gets to work. Painful sores erupt from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. As he sits in the ashes scraping his sores, his wife provokes him: “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job’s reply needs to be engraved in stone and placed about 12 inches in front of my face:

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10

Job refuses to sin. I’m ashamed to admit I have faltered for far less.

Job’s Friends: Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar

Enter the counsel of Job’s friends. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar set out from their homes to find Job and comfort him. When they connect, they sat with him for an entire week without saying a word. I suppose they were caught between the place where you don’t know what to say and constructing an appropriate response. The week of silence is broken by Job:

“May the day of my birth perish, and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!'” Job 3:3

Job curses the day he was born, he quite verbally and unashamedly cries out for his present misery:

For sighing has become my daily food;
my groans pour out like water.
What I feared has come upon me;
what I dreaded has happened to me.
I have no peace, no quietness;
I have no rest, but only turmoil. Job 3:24-26

In my mind, Job has every right to whine and complain. The tragedy that has fallen on his family is like a tsunami that crashes on the shore and wipes out everything. Go ahead Job, let it out, your friends are there to comfort you, right? Hmmm…we’ll see in the following back and forth of discourses.

Lord, I read these words and know that I have spoken harsh words for the present difficulties that bite me deeply. Help me to learn from Job, to know without doubt that the things of this world are only temporary. Help me to keep my eyes on you as Satan does his best to take me down. And when he wins the battle of the day, comfort me with the assurance that you have already won the war. But far more than for my own pitiful reaction, Lord, help me to be a comfort to others, to say the right words or to say nothing at all. And may you be honored through it all.

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Josiah’s Reforms; Fall of Jerusalem; Captivity

2 Kings 23-25

Josiah Finishes Well

Josiah receives the message from Huldah well. Her words from the Lord give him inspiration. (Note: Interesting that a male dominated culture has no problem seeking the advice of a female prophet.) Josiah invited everyone in Jerusalem, from the least to the greatest, to hear the Word of the Lord.

He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord–to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul… 2 Kings 23:2-3

Everyone recommitted themselves to the teaching, they all agreed to uphold their part of the covenant.

Josiah systematically removed all of the articles of worship throughout the kingdom…a lot of stuff to be burned and destroyed. Remember that Manasseh ruled for 55 years and incorporated all kinds of idolatrous worship. Josiah removed them all. Even the place where it all began:

Even the altar at Bethel, the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin–even that altar and high place he demolished. 2 Kings 23:15

Josiah served the Lord with all his heart, soul and strength and he gave the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield fighting the Egyptians.

Jehoahaz

Next we have Jehoahaz, 23 years old. He “reigned” for 3 months. I put reigned in quotes because of the extremely short duration of his rise to the throne! In just 3 months “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 23:32. Seriously? Pharaoh took Jehoahaz away in chains; he died in Egypt.

Jehoiakim

Pharaoh Necho placed Eliakim, one of Josiah’s sons, in charge as king, but renamed him Jehoiakim. The Pharaoh wanted people to know he was in charge! Jehoiakim was 25 when he was made king and he reigned for 11 years. The puppet of Pharaoh did evil in the eyes of the Lord, again.

Nebuchadnezzar enters the picture during Jehoiakim’s reign. For 3 years Nebuchadnezzar, the crown prince of Babylon, defeated Pharaoh and began asserting his power.

Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood. 2 Kings 24:3

Jehoiachin

Another short-lived ascent to the throne, Jehoiachin was 18 and reigned for 3 months. His claim to fame is surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar when he came in person to Jerusalem. He imprisoned Jehoiachin until the 37th year of exile when Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon released him.

All of Jerusalem was taken into exile and all of the treasures from the temple were removed. “Only the poorest people of the land were left” (2 Kings 24:14).

Zedekiah

Zedekiah (renamed by the king of Babylon) was placed as king. At 21 years of age, he reigned for 11 years. There was no real hope that another puppet-king would have a chance, but we always have a choice and Zedekiah chose to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.

The Fall of Jerusalem

At this point it is no surprise that we come to the end of the kings of our ancestors. Nebuchadnezzar takes over in full force:

He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. The whole Babylonian army under the commander of the imperial guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. 2 Kings 25:9-10

The life-work of Solomon was destroyed. Everything that was used to glorify God was removed, carried away to Babylon. Gone.

So Judah went into captivity, away from her land. 2 Kings 25:21

Those who were afraid fled to Egypt to hide. How interesting that they would seek refuge in the very place that Moses led them out of so many years ago.

Conclusion

As those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers go about our daily lives, I pray that we can see the ways we have become like the many who did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but only enough to turn away from the foolishness of idolatry. Jesus gave us a simple command to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). But simple doesn’t mean easy. It’s truly difficult to discern the difference between paths that are before us. Living in this world while not being consumed by its demands is a challenge. We only have a chance if we put Christ first. Lord, help us to do just that. Help us to love you first with everything we have and love others. Let that shine through us and draw people to Christ.

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Hezekiah’s Life Extended; Manasseh’s Evil

2 Kings 20-22 and Psalm 69

Hezekiah contract some deadly disease and is about to die when Isaiah comes to pay him a visit. Not one to beat around the bush, Isaiah tells him to “Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover” (2 Kings 20:1). Hezekiah accepts the word of the prophet, turns aside to pray,

“Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” 2 Kings 20:3

Hezekiah wept bitterly. Assuming these were his last words with Isaiah, he honors the Lord and simply says, don’t forget I gave you my best.

The story could have ended there, but before Isaiah was able to leave the middle court (my guess is that wasn’t far), he gets a message from God. The Lord chooses to heal Hezekiah, plus a bonus: adds 15 years to his life. Isaiah returns to deliver the message and solution. I’m thinking Isaiah was happy to do this since Hezekiah was actually a man of faith and integrity. He received a favorable prophesy to tell the man who honors God–any preacher’s dream!

Hezekiah asks for a sign, something impossible for man, so Isaiah prays and the shadow on the steps (think big sun dial) reverses its direction for 10 steps (2 Kings 20:11). Interesting, yes?

Babylonian Visitors

Hezekiah is a man of God for sure, but perhaps not the brightest bulb in the factory, or perhaps the disease affected his mind enough that when a group from Babylon sends gifts and visits him, Hezekiah gives them the grand tour of the place, nothing is hidden. Isaiah hears about this and confronts Hezekiah:

“Hear the word of the Lord: The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have store up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord” 2 Kings 20:17

Bad news indeed, but the message doesn’t end there.

And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 2 Kings 20:18

Worse news. Hezekiah once again humbly accepts the words from Isaiah. The prophecy is well before the Babylonian Empire is a force to be reckoned with.

Manasseh & Amon

Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, succeeded him as king and reigns 55 years–completely undoing everything Hezekiah lived for. Back to the pattern of “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord…” Manasseh and Amon to follow rebuild the Asherah poles, the altars to Baal and other gods. Somehow they didn’t see how the Lord had provided for his people during Hezekiah’s years.

Amon didn’t last long, only 2 years. He was assassinated by some officials and Josiah was put in his place.

Josiah

Josiah did well and “followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22). When he discovers the book of the Law, he asks a prophet for insight. Huldah lets him know the Lord will “bring disaster on this place and its people” (22:16), but since Josiah’s “heart was responsive” (22:19), his “eyes will not see all the disaster” (22:20) that the Lord is going to bring. We are treated to a long list of idols, shrines, etc., that Josiah removed. These details provide a peak into how far God’s people had wandered from his word, his ways and his covenant.

Josiah reestablished the Passover celebration and removed all the idolatrous worship throughout his kingdom, even after he heard the words of the prophet, knowing disaster would eventually come, so that many may turn back to the Lord, to know his peace and rely on the one true God. This is a similar battle for us today. We see what is happening all around us, we know the truth in Christ, yet we must remain resolute, we must be diligent to help as many people as possible come to know Jesus Christ. Lord, may your words seem as fresh to us today as they did to Josiah, may we celebrate your covenant like no others before (23:22).

The rollercoaster continues as we near the end of the kings. The simple lesson is this: God is steady and consistent the whole time–we, however, are all over the map! Lord, help us to keep you in the center of all, to learn from Hezekiah and Josiah that which is good as well as Manasseh and Amon, that which is bad. You’ve shown us both sides of the coin, Lord, help us remember!

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Hezekiah’s Prayer and Jerusalem’s Deliverance

2 Kings 19

Chapter 19 continues the story with Hezekiah’s response to the verbal abuse and physical threats from the Assyrians. All wearing sackcloth, they know they are doomed without God’s help. Hezekiah sends a team to Isaiah, heads down, they are completely humbled and ask merely that he would “pray for the remnant that still survives” (2 Kings 19:4). Isaiah’s response is assuring:

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard — those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword. 2 Kings 19:6-7

The king of Assyria continues his battle of words through messengers so Hezekiah does what we all need to learn from: he put the entire matter before the Lord and prayed. He asks the Lord for deliverance not for himself, not for personal glory, rather:

so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God. 2 Kings 19:19

Even today as we fight our own personal battle, I believe the Lord hears those who pray such earnest prayers. Our needs may not be so desperate as Hezekiah–he was surrounded by an army that had no issue with slaughtering every single person they met–but God hears the prayers of those who love him above all others!

Through the prophet Isaiah, the words of the Lord are strong and clear:

Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came. 2 Kings 19:28, Isaiah 37:39

Then the Lord provides a sign, a profound prophesy that we should be excited about even today:

For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. 2 Kings 19:31

The concept of the remnant is so encouraging to me as we hear and see churches dying, how Christ is removed from courthouses and schools. Slowly, it seems, those who choose to follow the Lord are being reduced to a mere remnant. But God loves his own and if we truly believe God is the Creator of all things who loves his people, we should rest assured he will prevail.

For Hezekiah, deliverance is swift: that very night “the angel of the Lord” killed 185,000 Assyrians. Sennacherib woke up surrounded by death. He decided to leave and return to Nineveh. Later, his own sons killed him while he worshiped one of his gods. Sennacherib is dead as Isaiah foretold. End of chapter 19 and the Assyrian attempts to oust the remnant of the Lord.

 

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Hezekiah and Sennacherib

Hands Raised

2 Kings 18 and Psalm 68

Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, became king of Judah when he was 25 years old and reigned for 29 years during the height of Isaiah’s prophetic years. Finally, after reading about horrible leadership we see these words:

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. … And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. 2 Kings 18:3,7

Hezekiah did away with the “high places,” he cleaned the slate that previous kings refused to eliminate; he did it because it was the right thing to do, not for personal glory. He even destroyed the bronze snake that Moses made, at the direction of the Lord, to save those who were bitten by snakes during their journey (Numbers 21:4-9). He had to destroy it because these people considered it an idol, they “were burning incense to it” (2 Kings 18:4). Crazy stuff!!

Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 2 Kings 18:5

It’s important to note that Hezekiah rose to the throne while the Assyrians were overpowering Israel in Samaria–essentially the rest of the Promised Land. He had no possible way of repelling the Assyrians, no way to prevent them from taking the tiny tribe of Judah. Yet here he was, completely faithful. He removed the idols and taught the people to worship the One True God. He listened to Isaiah.

Hezekiah was in his early 30’s when the Assyrians carried away his brothers, those following the king of Israel (northern kingdom) off to exile–to their eventual death. But he remained faithful.

By his 40th birthday, the arrogant Assyrians, under leadership of Sennacherib, attacked Judah and captured the fortified cities. The NIV Study Bible notes refer to Sennacherib’s own documents that indicate he captured 200,000+ people across 46 cities and Hezekiah was a mere “bird in a cage” hiding in his palace.

Sennacherib sends an envoy to Hezekiah as he prepares to mop up the rest of the kingdom (at least in his mind). The message is strong, demeaning, demoralizing and clear: we took your fortified cities, you’re next! The Assyrian supreme commander sends the message loud and clear for all to hear:

This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours? You say you have the counsel and the might for ware–but you speak only empty words. 2 Kings 18:19-20

He goes on to taunt and completely disrespect the Lord, doing everything he can to demoralize the people. The commander continues,

“Was is only to your master and you that my master sent me to say these things, and not to the people sitting on the wall — who, like you, will have to eat their own excrement and drink their own urine?” 2 Kings 18:27

Seriously? Did you just say that in the Bible? The commander isn’t done. He was speaking in Aramaic up to that point, now he switches to Hebrew and continues his tirade against the people of God. Over and over the commander speaks against the Lord and Hezekiah,

“Do not let Hezekiah deceive you… Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord… Do not listen to Hezekiah… Do not listen to Hezekiah…” 2 Kings 18:28-35

Here’s the remarkable response from the people who follow Hezekiah as their king and trust in the Lord:

the people remained silent and said nothing in reply 2 Kings 19:36

Nothing. Silence.

Is it possible that we should react to vicious attacks against us with silence? Is this the season to be silent? The oppression of the Assyrians is huge! If the boastful Sennacherib is accurate, he’s just captured more than the population of Anderson, Greenville and Columbia combined and now he surrounds Jerusalem. His words are not mere words, they are backed up by aggressive actions against our brothers and sisters. Nothing? Silence?

I can only imagine that these people, the remnant of God’s chosen, have listened to Isaiah’s words, they have watched the faithful actions of Hezekiah, and they have made the decision to trust God completely.

Lord, give us a discerning heart to know how you would have us react. May we have the confidence to completely trust in your word, your ways and your timing in all things–even as our enemies surround us! Let us know when the response should be silence and when we should respond boldly. Help us to seek you in all things. Put a song in our mouths to sing in confidence and with great joy:

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
    may his foes flee before him.
May you blow them away like smoke—
    as wax melts before the fire,
    may the wicked perish before God.
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;
    may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:1-3

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