Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Who's Your Daddy?

Wednesday – October 2, 2013

And because of your raging against me and your arrogance, which I have heard for myself, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth.  2 Kings 19:28a (NLT)
Hezekiah was only 25 years old when he began to rule in Judah, Israel’s Southern kingdom.  The young ruler started a revival that saw sweeping reforms which turned God’s children back to the Lord.  Hezekiah even refused to pay the heavy taxes imposed by the Assyrian Empire.
The Assyrian king (Sennacherib) didn’t like that at all. 

He sent a huge army to surround Jerusalem with the idea of conquering the city and teaching God’s children who’s really in control.  That lesson unfolded exactly…but not exactly how Sennacherib expected!

Trash talk

Sennecherib ridiculed Israel’s God and reminded Hezekiah and all the people that no country’s god had ever withstood the mighty conquering armies of Assyria.

Hezekiah paid the tax tribute (about $51 million by today’s prices[1]) and tried to reason with Sennacherib, but the “trash talk” from outside Jerusalem’s walls continued.  Hezekiah finally appealed to the prophet Isaiah. 

God’s word came back strong and certain to the threats of Sennacherib:
Mighty?  YOU?  What are you smoking, boy? 
I’m going to put a hook in your nose and a bit in your mouth.
You’ll do what I say, and when I say it.
Who’s your Daddy now?

And that’s what happened!  (Read the rest in 2 Kings 19)

God Talk

With all the turmoil and trash talk in the world it’s important to remember to Whom this world belongs.

It wasn’t Hezekiah’s or Isaiah’s faith that defeated the armies of the mighty Assyrian Empire – it was God’s power.  But God waited for Hezekiah and Isaiah and the children of Israel to stand firm in their faith before He used His power!

There’s a lesson there for you and me (and maybe Congress):  do what’s right, stand firm in faith against the bullies (terrorists or Congressmen) and take care of the poor and the weak. God will see to the trash-talkers.  He’s God; and He’s got plenty of nose hooks!




[1] ©2002-2013 GOLD PRICE PTY LTD

No comments:

Post a Comment