2 Kings 19:22
Well, just the Scripture for this one stopped me in my tracks. King Hezekiah of Judah had prayed to Yahweh about the King of Assyria (a bitter enemy and fierce warrior — you can read his arrogant threats and complete defiance of the Lord God in 2 Kings 18:17-19:37).
Here are some things which the Lord revealed to me as I meditated on this passage: There will be threats and hardships against us by those who serve evil. Oftentimes those threats will come cloaked in “our own language.” The enemy uses 1% of truth to float his lies. So we hear teaching of God’s word that has a basis of truth, but then it is twisted and perverted. (The King of Assyria claimed to have the blessings and guidance of Yahweh.) “Do not be deceived. God will not be mocked!” Galatians 6:7
Beware of the lies of the enemy causing seeds of doubt and unbelief as he did beginning in the Garden with his question to Eve, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) Anytime we find ourselves asking that, we need to STOP & confess unbelief because we are questioning His character, His integrity, His word.
Notice in 2 Kings 18:31-32, the King of Assyria is baiting the suffering, starving people with the promise of fresh cisterns, rich land, olive oil, honey. Does this sound familiar? Look at Deuteronomy 6:2-4 (actually just do a word search on http://www.biblegateway.com of “land flowing with milk and honey” and you will find tons of references). The Israelites already possessed all these things, which the King was trying to bait them with. They already possessed them because the Lord had already given them the promised land! And yet, in their weakened state here was a temptation to “throw away their birthright for a bowl of soup,” as my husband likes to say. (see Genesis 25:33-34)
I like verse 36 in 2 Kings 18, “But the people were silent and did not say anything to him [King of Assyria] because the king [Hezekiah] had commanded them not to answer him.” They knew where their allegiance stood. Oh Lord, may I be the same!
Qedosh Yisrael, Holy One. You alone are God! You alone are worthy of praise and ALL my trust and devotion!
2 Kings 19 is also a beautiful picture of a leader submitted to God, seeking guidance in the presence of his trusted Lord. Look at 2 Kings 19:14. The righteous King Hezekiah took the letters which were slanderous against the Lord God and spread them out before Him. Read his prayer in verses 15-19: praise, adoration in the midst of an honest appraisal (ie. The King of Assyria is a bad dude. He has leveled nations and destroyed their gods.) BUT King Hezekiah knew that Yahweh was Elohim Chay (Living God) and able to rescue them — so that the whole world would know that “you alone are Yahweh Elohim.” (vs. 15)
We read God’s response through the prophet Isaiah in 2 Kings 19:21-24. How quickly God silences the threats of the arrogant King of Assyria: “Whom are you defying and slandering? Against whom are you shouting? Who are you looking at so arrogantly? It is Qedosh Yisrael!” (vs. 22)
Wow! “Do not be deceived. God will not be mocked.” (Galatians 6:7)
Holiness is central to the character of God, and time and time again in Scripture we are told, “Be holy because I am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16) Read Leviticus 19:9-18. How interesting that these commands regarding communal and interpersonal relationships God continually says, “I am Yahweh your Elohim.” Spend some time praying about what character trails are revealed through these commands (generosity, kindness, forgiveness, tenderness, etc.) Bask in the character of the awesome Qedosh Yisrael.
Who Is The I Am? 