The Destruction of Sennacherib

INTRODUCTION: The Assyrians continued to destroy the nations around Judah. Rabshekah made his threats against the Lord and Judah. Hezekiah took these threats to the Lord and the Lord showed Himself to be the only true God. Those who serve Him faithfully will find that God shows Himself as the protector and provider of His people.

1. THE MESSAGE FROM ISAIAH (2 Kings 19:1-7)
1. Hezekiah Reacted to the Threats (2 Kings 19:1).
1. He went into mourning.
1. He rent his clothes.
2. He covered himself with sackcloth.
2. He went to the house of God.
2. Hezekiah Sent to Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2-4).
1. His delegation was made up of Eliakim, Shebna, and elders (2 Kings 19:2).
2. His despair (2 Kings 19:3)
1. It is a day of trouble, rebuke, and blasphemy.
2. When children come to the birth, there is no strength to bring forth.
3. His desire (2 Kings 19:4)
1. That God would hear and reprove the words of the enemy
2. That Isaiah would pray for the remnant of Judah
3. Isaiah Spoke of Gods Protection (2 Kings 19:5-7).
1. Hezekiahs servants came to Isaiah (2 Kings 19:5).
2. Isaiah spoke the words of the Lord (2 Kings 19:6-7).
1. Be not afraid (2 Kings 19:6).
2. He will pay (2 Kings 19:7).
1. With a blast from the Lord
2. With death
1. He will fall by the sword.
2. He will die in his own land.
2. THE LETTER FROM SENNACHERIB (2 Kings 19:8-14)
1. Sennacherib Departed from Lachish (2 Kings 19:8-9).
1. He was found at Libnah (2 Kings 19:8).
2. He heard rumors concerning Ethiopia (2 Kings 19:9; cp. 2 Kings 19:7).
2. Sennacherib Sent a Threatening Letter (2 Kings 19:10-13).
1. Warned Hezekiah against trusting in God (2 Kings 19:10)
2. Told of the many victories of the Assyrians (2 Kings 19:11)
3. Told of the failures of all the other gods (2 Kings 19:12-13)
3. Hezekiah Read the Letter (2 Kings 19:14).
1. Received the letter from the messengers
2. Took the letter to the temple and spread it before the Lord (Isaiah 37:14)
3. THE PRAYER OF HEZEKIAH (2 Kings 19:15-19)
1. Hezekiah Declared the Identity of the Lord (2 Kings 19:15).
1. He is the God of Israel.
2. He dwells between the cherubims (Exodus 25:22; Psalm 80:1; Psalm 99:1).
3. He is the only God of all kingdoms of the earth (Isaiah 44:6, 8).
4. He has made heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1).
2. Hezekiah Asked God to Hear (2 Kings 19:16).
1. Bow down thine ear and hear and open thine eyes and see.
2. Hear the words that reproach the living God.
3. Hezekiah Admitted the Failure of Other Nations (2 Kings 19:17-18).
1. Assyria had destroyed the other nations (2 Kings 19:17).
2. Assyria had destroyed their gods (2 Kings 19:18).
4. Hezekiah Asked for Special Deliverance (2 Kings 19:19).
1. He asked for deliverance out of the hand of Sennacherib.
2. He asked that other nations might know the only God.
4. GODS MESSAGE CONCERNING SENNACHERIB (2 Kings 19:20-34)
1. God Heard the Prayer of Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:20).
1. Isaiah sent word to Hezekiah.
2. The Lord has heard your prayer.
2. God Had Been Reproached by the King of Assyria (2 Kings 19:21-26).
1. The scorn of Judah (2 Kings 19:21-22)
1. Zion and Jerusalem had laughed against him (2 Kings 19:21).
2. He had attacked the Holy One of Israel (2 Kings 19:22).
2. His boast of power against the Lord (2 Kings 19:23-24)
3. The response of the Lord (2 Kings 19:25-26)
1. He formed all these things in ancient times (2 Kings 19:25).
2. He had set Sennacherib up to destroy these cities (2 Kings 19:25).
3. Those who were conquered were of small power (2 Kings 19:26).
3. God Will Respond to the Challenge (2 Kings 19:27-28).
1. His knowledge of the king of Assyria (2 Kings 19:27)
2. His destruction of the king of Assyria (2 Kings 19:28)
4. God Will Protect His People (2 Kings 19:29-31).
1. Gods sign to Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:29)
1. This year there will be sufficient food from that which grows of itself.
2. In the second year, enough will come up naturally to feed you.
3. In the third year, you will be able to sow and reap of your fields.
2. Gods promise concerning the remnant (2 Kings 19:30-31)
1. Those who escaped of the house of Judah (2 Kings 19:30)
1. Will take root downward
2. Will bear fruit upward
2. A remnant shall go forth out of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:31).
5. God Will Destroy Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:32-34).
1. He shall not come into Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:32).
2. He shall return as he came (2 Kings 19:33).
3. The Lord Himself will defend Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:34).
5. THE END OF SENNACHERIB (2 Kings 19:35-37)
1. The Lord Destroyed the Assyrian Army (2 Kings 19:35).
2. Sennacherib Returned to Nineveh (2 Kings 19:36).
3. Sennacherib Died at the Hands of his Sons (2 Kings 19:37).
1. In the house of his own god
2. By the act of his own sons

CONCLUSION: Of what are you afraid? Is God not worthy of your trust even in this? Why not assure Him of your trust in Him right now?