In our natural state, it is easy to be overwhelmed by what looks like an intimidating display of strength and power.
Today, we are looking at a passage that is a review of events also found in 2 Kings 18-19.
Both passages report how a massive human army was overpowered and conquered by a single angel sent by the Lord.
Read on for insights that will encourage your own faith journey as you and others encounter challenges in your own lives.
Human Armies versus a Single Angel
A Study of 2 Chronicles 32:1-23 | Study Questions
After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself.[i]
The opening phrase refers to the actions of Hezekiah to restore the temple and the proper worship of the Lord for the Israelites.
What does the remainder of this verse reveal can happen when we are faithful to God?
2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and intended to fight against Jerusalem, 3 he planned with his officers and his mighty men to stop the water of the springs that were outside the city; and they helped him. 4 A great many people were gathered, and they stopped all the springs and the brook that flowed through the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?”[ii]
How did the Israelites respond to the threat?
5 He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. 6 And he set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, 7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. 8 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 took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. [iii]
How do these verses support planning and preparation as part of faithful dependence on God?
What is revealed in the encouragement Hezekiah gave the Israelites?
9 After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria, who was besieging Lachish with all his forces, sent his servants to Jerusalem to Hezekiah king of Judah and to all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem, saying, 10 “Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, ‘On what are you trusting, that you endure the siege in Jerusalem? 11 Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst, when he tells you, “The Lord our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria”? 12 Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, “Before one altar you shall worship, and on it you shall burn your sacrifices”?[iv]
What is Sennacherib attempting to do here?
13 Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands at all able to deliver their lands out of my hand? 14 Who among all the gods of those nations that my fathers devoted to destruction was able to deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand? 15 Now, therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you in this fashion, and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand!’ ” [v]
Who does Sennacherib trust?
16 And his servants said still more against the Lord God and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 And he wrote letters to cast contempt on the Lord, the God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, “Like the gods of the nations of the lands who have not delivered their people from my hands, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver his people from my hand.” 18 And they shouted it with a loud voice in the language of Judah to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them, in order that they might take the city. 19 And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands. [vi]
Describe Sennacherib’s attitude towards the God of Israel.
20 Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword. 22 So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all his enemies, and he provided for them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts to the Lord to Jerusalem and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from that time onward. [vii]
Describe Hezekiah and Isaiah’s attitude towards the God of Israel.
What is revealed to Sennacherib and the surrounding nations about the God of Israel?
Human Armies versus a Single Angel
A Study of 2 Chronicles 32:1-23 | Personal Application
Why is it important to remember that we can still face challenges even when we are faithful to the Lord?
Review again the encouraging words Hezekiah spoke to the Israelites as they faced the challenge of Sennacherib and his invading army.
7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”[viii]
Now, rewrite these verses, replacing the challenge the Israelites were facing with one of your own or others that you are concerned about.
Write your own prayer to the Lord over the challenges you or others are facing.
Leave a word of encouragement in the comments below based on this passage.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[i] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 32:1.
[ii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 32:2–4.
[iii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 32:5–8.
[iv] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 32:9–12.
[v] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 32:12–15.
[vi] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 32:16–19.
[vii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 32:20–23.
[viii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 32:7–8.