Isaiah

Isaiah 37: God answers the enemy’s boast

Begin in prayer

Before we see Hezekiah spread the threatening letter before God, let us bring Him our own fears. Ask the Lord to teach our family to pray for His glory and trust the Savior He has given.

In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.

Psalm 86:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us see Your rule over proud power and Your care for those who call upon You. Teach us to seek mercy through Christ. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Hezekiah mourns, enters the LORD’s house and asks Isaiah to pray for the remnant that cannot save itself. God tells him not to fear and promises that Assyria’s king will return home and fall by the sword. Another threatening message leads Hezekiah to spread the letter before God and pray that every kingdom would know the LORD alone is God. Through Isaiah, God answers that Assyria’s proud victories happened within His purpose, and He will turn its raging king back. A sign of renewed harvests promises that Judah’s remnant will take root and bear fruit again. God promises to defend Jerusalem for His own sake and David’s sake, without an Assyrian arrow being shot there. His angel kills one hundred and eighty five thousand men, Sennacherib returns home, and his sons later kill him as he worships his god.

As you read Isaiah 37, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD hears prayer, humbles the ruler who defies Him and saves Jerusalem for His name.

Hezekiah describes a birth without strength to bring it through, picturing a crisis the people cannot overcome. He brings the enemy’s letter before the Maker of heaven and earth. The other nations’ gods burned because human hands had made them from wood and stone. He asks for rescue so that all kingdoms will know the LORD alone is God. God had planned Assyria’s victories, yet He holds its king accountable for his rage and arrogance. Hook and bridle picture His control over the ruler who thought himself unstoppable. Two years of self growing food followed by sowing and harvest promise that the surviving people will flourish again. God defends the city for His name and His promise to David, and the proud king dies in his own god’s house.

How does Isaiah 37 show us that the LORD hears prayer, humbles the ruler who defies Him and saves Jerusalem for His name?

Prayer brings helpless people before the living God.

Hezekiah spreads the letter before the LORD and asks Him to hear. He confesses that God alone made heaven and earth. His request joins Jerusalem’s rescue to the nations knowing God’s name.

God rules the ruler who boasts.

Assyria’s success had happened within God’s long formed purpose. Its king still bears guilt for arrogance and blasphemy. The LORD knows his every movement and will turn him back like an animal led by bridle.

God keeps His promise to defend Jerusalem.

No arrow will be shot into the city, and no siege mound will be raised against it. The LORD acts for His own sake and David’s sake. His angel destroys the army, and Sennacherib’s death at home fulfills the earlier word.

Memorise

‘For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.’

Isaiah 37:35

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what fears should I bring to God through Jesus?

Hezekiah asks that every kingdom may know the LORD alone is God. God promises to defend Jerusalem “for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.” His rescue keeps His name and His royal promise before His people.

That promise reaches its fullness in Jesus, David’s Son, whose kingdom will never end (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33). He took the death His people deserved, and the Father raised Him from the dead. His sacrifice fully paid for sin, so all who trust Him may approach the holy God in peace.

Turn from sin and trust this saving King for forgiveness. Everyone who believes in Him may call upon God through Him. Bring the fears that expose your helplessness before the Lord. The Savior who has finished His saving work teaches His people to seek His Father’s glory in their prayers.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD hears prayer and saves His people, and that Jesus saves all who call on Him. Please explain that God planned Assyria’s victories, yet Assyria’s proud mockery of Him was still sin. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He hears prayer and keeps His word despite the pride of rulers, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Matthew 26:53

Living God, thank You that You hear prayer and rule over every earthly power. Please bring us to Jesus for forgiveness and peace. Help us place our fears before You and seek the honor of Your name. Help our family trust Your faithful Word this week. Amen.