During the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah in the late 8th century BCE, the Assyrian Empire, under the leadership of King Sennacherib, sought to expand its dominion through military conquest. The city of Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, became a target of the Assyrian forces.
As the Assyrian army besieged Jerusalem, King Sennacherib sent a menacing message to King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem. In this message, Sennacherib boasted of his previous victories over other nations and challenged the faith of the Israelites by questioning the ability of their God to save Jerusalem. He blasphemed and undermined their trust in their God:
"Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my predecessors. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!" (2 Kings 18:29-30, NIV)
Upon receiving Sennacherib's threatening message, King Hezekiah was deeply troubled but did not lose faith. He went to the temple, spread the letter before the Lord, and prayed earnestly. In his prayer, Hezekiah acknowledged the greatness and sovereignty of God and beseeched Him for deliverance:
"Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God." (2 Kings 19:15-16, NIV)
In response to Hezekiah's prayer and faith, God sent a message through the prophet Isaiah. In this message, God reassured Hezekiah that Sennacherib's blasphemy and threats would not be realized. God promised to protect Jerusalem and deliver it from the Assyrian king:
"This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. This is the word that the Lord has spoken against him: 'Virgin Daughter Zion despises you and mocks you...'" (2 Kings 19:20-21, NIV)
The message through Isaiah continued to foretell Sennacherib's downfall and the miraculous intervention of God, leading to the defeat of the Assyrian army.
In accordance with God's promise, that very night, an angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers camped around Jerusalem. Sennacherib retreated, and Jerusalem was saved from destruction.
The story of Hezekiah and the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem demonstrates the importance of faith, prayer, and trust in God's sovereignty in times of adversity. It underscores that God can intervene miraculously to protect His people and fulfill His promises. It also highlights the contrast between the arrogant words of the Assyrian king and the humble response of King Hezekiah, who turned to God in prayer and found deliverance and protection.