Introduction:

This week's SSLesson will display the role of faithfulness and obedience to what God has intended for His people. Sometimes, we go ahead not relying on God's provisions but we device our own planning and it will surely fail.

Inspiration says, "Day by day the conflict between good and evil is going on. . . . As a people we do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Evil angels are constantly at work, planning their line of attack, controlling as commanders, kings, and rulers, the disloyal human forces." {CTr 368.4}

"I call upon you who are not ready for the last great controversy to wake up. You are not watching for that which is soon coming upon the earth. Human instrumentalities under the control of fallen angels are seeking to gather in their harvest. Those who would find themselves under the protection of the angels of God must live wholly for God’s glory, prepared to stand in their lot and in their place. . . ." {CTr 368.5}

Through this lesson, we may glean some gist of wisdom which will guide our path in choosing the right path.

I. Human Intervention:

A. Preparing for Conflict {Isaiah 36:1}

B. The Assyrians

II. Divine Intervention

A. Hezekiah seeks help. Isaiah 36:21-37:20

B. The Assyrians are defeated. Isaiah 37:21-38

III. Victory and defeat of Hezekiah. Isaiah 38, 39

Memory Verse:

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. {Isaiah 37:16}

Prayer Thought:

When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness. Those who are accounted good workers will need to draw nigh to God, they will need the divine touch. They will need to drink more deeply and continuously at the fountain of living water, in order that they may discern God's work at every point. Workers may make mistakes, but you should give them a chance to correct their errors, give them an opportunity to learn caution, by leaving the work in their hands. {TM 299.2}

I. Human intervention:

The human intellect does not consist in the external image of mankind, but it rather exists in the human heart. This thought is very emphatically entertained by the scriptures: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Therefore, the symbol (man's heart) may denote intelligence. However, the symbol cannot infer human vision, but rather a proper understanding of God, for the Bible says: "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." (Psa. 53:1.) Obtaining a clear vision of the infinite power of the Eternal One is what God calls true education. The sum of the symbol is, Babylon was forced to acknowledge the existence of the Most High by removing one king (beast's heart) and setting up another (man's heart). {2SR 45}

A. Preparing for conflict. Isaiah 36:1

“Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them.” (Isaiah 36:1)

With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:8.

1. Hezekiah's Accession to the Throne of Judah

At the time of Hezekiah's accession to the throne of Judah, the Assyrians had already carried captive a large number of the children of Israel from the northern kingdom; and a few years after he had begun to reign, and while he was still strengthening the defenses of Jerusalem, the Assyrians besieged and captured Samaria and scattered the ten tribes among the many provinces of the Assyrian realm. The borders of Judah were only a few miles distant, with Jerusalem less than fifty miles away; and the rich spoils to be found within the temple would tempt the enemy to return. {PK 351.1}

2. Long-Expected Crisis Finally Come

Hezekiah, in the earlier years of his reign, had continued to pay tribute to Assyria, in harmony with the agreement entered into by Ahaz. Meanwhile the king had taken "counsel with his princes and his mighty men," and had done everything possible for the defense of his kingdom. . . . {CC 239.2}

The long-expected crisis finally came. The forces of Assyria, advancing from triumph to triumph, appeared in Judea. . . . Judah's only hope was now in God. All possible help from Egypt had been cut off, and no other nations were near to lend a friendly hand. . . . Sennacherib wrote "letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver His people out of mine hand." . . . {CC 239.3}

3. God's Honor Vindicated

When the king of Judah received the taunting letter, he took it into the temple and "spread it before the Lord" and prayed with strong faith for help from heaven, that the nations of earth might know that the God of the Hebrews still lived and reigned. The honor of Jehovah was at stake; He alone could bring deliverance. . . . {CC 239.4}

Hezekiah was not left without hope. Isaiah sent to him, saying, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard." . . . That very night deliverance came. "The angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand." . . . {CC 239.5}

The God of the Hebrews had prevailed over the proud Assyrian. The honor of Jehovah was vindicated in the eyes of the surrounding nations. In Jerusalem the hearts of the people were filled with holy joy. Their earnest entreaties for deliverance had been mingled with confession of sin and with many tears. In their great need they had trusted wholly in the power of God to save, and He had not failed them. {CC 239.6}

— Sennacherib attacked Palestine in 701 BC. He destroyed the kingdom of Judah and conquered Lachish, a city near Jerusalem.

— Hezekiah prepared the city for war. He strengthened the walls, blocked off the springs, and dug a tunnel to bring water to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32:1-6; 2 Kings 20:20).

— He had done everything humanly possible, then he entrusted the battle to the only One who could help him (2 Chronicles 32:7-8). He was a great example for us.

B. The Assyrians advance. Isaiah 36:2-20

“Have I now come up without the Lord against this land to destroy it? The Lord said to me, ‘Go up against this land, and destroy it.’” (Isaiah 36:10)

1. God's Name No Longer Feared Among the Nations

The Assyrian officers, sure of the strength of their disciplined forces, arranged for a conference with the chief men of Judah, during which they insolently demanded the surrender of the city. This demand was accompanied by blasphemous revilings against the God of the Hebrews. Because of the weakness and apostasy of Israel and Judah, the name of God was no longer feared among the nations, but had become a subject for continual reproach. See Isaiah 52:5. {PK 352.3}

2. Challenges to the King of Judah

"Speak ye now to Hezekiah," said Rabshakeh, one of Sennacherib's chief officers,

a. Lost the Strength for the War

"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 the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?" 2 Kings 18:19, 20. {PK 352.4}

The officers were conferring outside the gates of the city, but within the hearing of the sentries on the wall; and as the representatives of the Assyrian king loudly urged their proposals upon the chief men of Judah, they were requested to speak in the Syrian rather than the Jewish language, in order that those upon the wall might not have knowledge of the proceedings of the conference. Rabshakeh, scorning this suggestion, lifted his voice still higher, and, continuing to speak in the Jewish language, said: {PK 353.1}

b. Discouragement to God's People

"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. Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. {PK 353.2}

c. Not to Listen to Hezekiah and Betrayal to the King

"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 eat ye everyone of his vine, and everyone of his fig tree, and drink ye everyone the waters of his own 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. {PK 353.3}

d. Lost Confidence to God's Deliverance

"Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?" Isaiah 36:13-20. {PK 353.4}

Let's Consider the Following:

— While besieging Lachish, Sennacherib sent his Rabshakeh to Jerusalem. His goal was to conquer the city by intimidating the people and talking them into rebelling against Hezekiah and handing the city over.

(1) Isaiah 36:6. You cannot trust Egypt

(2) Isaiah 36:7. You cannot trust God, because Hezekiah offended Him by tearing down His places of worship

(3) Isaiah 36:8. You don’t even have horsemen ready for war

(4) Isaiah 36:10. God is on Assyria’s side

(5) Isaiah 36:12. You will starve because of the long siege

— The Rabshakeh used a mix of truths, half-truths, and lies. But he couldn’t convince the people. They trusted God’s power and remained faithful to their king.

II. Divine intervention:

A. Hezekiah seeks help. Isaiah 36:21-37:20

“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.” (Isaiah 37:14)

1. Hezekiah's Prayer and Supplication

"For this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to Heaven." 2 Chronicles 32:20. {PK 354.3}

God answered the prayers of His servants. To Isaiah was given the message for Hezekiah: "Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumor, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land." 2 Kings 19:6, 7. {PK 354.4}

Hezekiah was not left without hope. Isaiah sent to him, saying, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him: {PK 359.2}

"The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. {PK 359.3}

"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 messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel. I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places. {PK 359.4}

2. Judah's Trust in Jehovah

Nothing more quickly inspires faith than the exercise of faith. The king of Judah had prepared for the coming storm; and now, confident that the prophecy against the Assyrians would be fulfilled, he stayed his soul upon God. "And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah." 2 Chronicles 32:8. What though the armies of Assyria, fresh from the conquest of the greatest nations of earth, and triumphant over Samaria in Israel, should now turn their forces against Judah? What though they should boast, "As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?" Isaiah 10:10, 11. Judah had nothing to fear; for their trust was in Jehovah. {PK 351.3}

Notice the Following items:

— Hezekiah’s first reaction was to seek God’s help through prophet Isaiah (v. 2-5). God’s answered immediately. He had heard the Assyrian blasphemy, and a rumor would make them go away (v. 6-7).

— After conquering Lachish, Sennacherib heard a false rumor about an Ethiopian attack. He sent threatening letters to Hezekiah just before leaving Judah (v. 8-13).

— Hezekiah brought these letters before God. He asked Him for liberation and acknowledged Him as Holy, King, and Creator (v. 16).

B. The Assyrians are defeated. Isaiah 37:21-38

“For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” (Isaiah 37:35)

1. God's Defense for His Name Sake and His Servant David

"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 shield, 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." 2Kings 19:29-34. {PK 361.1}

That very night deliverance came. "The angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand." Verse 35. "All the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria," were slain. 2 Chronicles 32:21. {PK 361.2}

Tidings of this terrible judgment upon the army that had been sent to take Jerusalem, soon reached Sennacherib, who was still guarding the approach to Judea from Egypt. Stricken with fear, the Assyrian king hasted to depart and "returned with shame of face to his own land." Verse 21. But he had not long to reign. In harmony with the prophecy that had been uttered concerning his sudden end, he was assassinated by those of his own home, "and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead." Isaiah 37:38. {PK 361.3}

2. Rich Lessons for the Nations of the Earth Today

The rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire is rich in lessons for the nations of earth today. Inspiration has likened the glory of Assyria at the height of her prosperity to a noble tree in the garden of God, towering above the surrounding trees. {PK 362.1}

"The Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. . . . Under his shadow dwelt all great nations. Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters. The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. . . . All the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him." Ezekiel 31:3-9. {PK 363.1}

Notice the Comments below:

— Satan wanted to annihilate Judah to prevent the birth of the Messiah and the redemption of the world. If Sennacherib had conquered Jerusalem, he would have got his way.

— He had left a contingent to siege Jerusalem. 185,000 of those soldiers were killed by an angel. Of course, Sennacherib didn’t mention this in his mural. The king met his own death when he returned to his city. God had won.

For advanced Studies click this link:

1. https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/19-the-latter-day-assyrian-confederacy/who-is-assyria-today?authuser=0

C. Victory and defeat of Hezekiah. Isaiah 38; 39

At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. (Isa. 39:1)

1. Ministry of God's Wrath

With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps account with the nations. While His mercy is tendered, with calls to repentance, this account remains open; but when the figures reach a certain amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath begins. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. Mercy no longer pleads in their behalf. {PK 364.1}

2. Restoration to Health: Extension of Life

When Hezekiah was sick, the prophet of God brought him the message that he should die. The king cried to the Lord, and the Lord heard him, and sent the promise that fifteen years should be added to his life. One word from God, one touch of the divine finger, would have been enough to cure Hezekiah instantly. But instead, he was given directions to make a poultice of figs, and lay it upon the part affected. This was done, and Hezekiah was restored to health. It would be well to treasure this prescription which the Lord ordered to be used, more than we do.--Manuscript 29, 1911 (General Manuscript). {2SM 300.1}

3. Move Along the Line of God's Providence

If they take the position that in praying for healing they must not use the simple remedies provided by God to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work, lest it be a denial of faith, they are taking an unwise position. This is not a denial of faith; it is in strict harmony with the plans of God. When Hezekiah was sick, the prophet of God brought him the message that he should die. He cried unto the Lord, and the Lord heard His servant and worked a miracle in his behalf, sending him a message that fifteen years should be added to his life. Now, one word from God, one touch of the divine finger, would have cured Hezekiah instantly, but special directions were given to take a fig and lay it upon the affected part, and Hezekiah was raised to life. In everything we need to move along the line of God's providence. {CH 381.2}

Facts to be Considered:

• In the middle of this crisis, Hezekiah fell ill, and Isaiah announced his death. The king turned to God with great lament. God heard him and gave him another 15 years of life.

• In his anguish, Hezekiah asked for a sign to confirm this great miracle. That sign was a miracle itself: the Sun went back because of his request (Isaiah 38:8).

• Hezekiah praised God for his recovery. Meanwhile, the Babylonian astronomers had watched this phenomenon and had heard about Hezekiah’s recovery, so the king of Babylon sent his messengers to meet him (Isaiah 39).

• Hezekiah had an unprecedented opportunity to praise God’s name before the Babylonian scholars, but he wasted it.

From the Pen of Inspiration:

Let us be hopeful and courageous. Despondency in God's service is sinful and unreasonable. He knows our every necessity. To the omnipotence of the King of kings our covenant-keeping God unites the gentleness and care of the tender shepherd. His power is absolute, and it is the pledge of the sure fulfillment of His promises to all who trust in Him. He has means for the removal of every difficulty, that those who serve Him and respect the means He employs may be sustained. His love is as far above all other love as the heavens are above the earth. He watches over His children with a love that is measureless and everlasting. {MH 481.4}

In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, have faith in God. He is working out His will, doing all things well in behalf of His people. The strength of those who love and serve Him will be renewed day by day. {MH 482.1}

He is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the help they need. He will give them the wisdom which their varied necessities demand. {MH 482.2}