5. The King
Lesson 5
(ISAIAH 36—39)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Isaiah 36—39. This lesson references chapter 8 in Be Comforted. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Except for David and Solomon, no king of Judah is given more attention or commendation in Scripture than Hezekiah. Eleven chapters are devoted to him in 2 Kings 18—20; 2 Chronicles 29—32; and Isaiah 36—39. “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him” (2 Kings 18:5).
The prophet Isaiah arranged chapters 36—39 as a “bridge” between the two parts of his book.
These chapters teach us some valuable lessons about faith, prayer, and the dangers of pride. Though the setting today may be different, the problems and temptations are still the same; for Hezekiah’s history is our history, and Hezekiah’s God is our God.
—Be Comforted, pages 109–10
1. As you review these chapters, what do you learn about Hezekiah’s leadership? What are the crises Hezekiah has to deal with?
More to Consider: Respond to the following statement: “A crisis does not make a person; it shows what a person is made of.” Do you agree? Explain.
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Isaiah 36—39 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Crises often come when circumstances seem to be at their best. Hezekiah had led the nation in a great reformation, and the people were reunited in the fear of the Lord. They had put away their idols, restored the temple services, and sought the blessing of their God. But instead of receiving blessing, they found themselves facing battles! “After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah” (2 Chron. 32:1 NIV).
—Be Comforted, pages 111–12
3. Had God turned a blind eye to all Hezekiah had done? Why or why not? In what ways might the Assyrian invasion have been part of God’s plan for His people? What are other examples that illustrate how God sometimes uses crises to teach His people?
From the Commentary
According to the field commander, Judah could not trust in its strategy, its military resources, or in its God. Nor could its people trust in their king (Isa. 36:13–20). The king of Assyria was a “great king,” but Hezekiah was a nobody who was deceiving the people. Instead of trusting Hezekiah’s promise of help from the Lord, the people should trust Sennacherib’s promise of a comfortable home in Assyria. The people knew that their farms, orchards, and vineyards had been ruined by the Assyrian army, and that Judah was facing a bleak future. If they stayed in Jerusalem, they might starve to death. Perhaps they should surrender and keep themselves and their families alive.
Hezekiah and Isaiah had told the people to trust the Lord, but the field commander reminded the people that the gods of other nations had not succeeded in protecting or delivering them. (Hezekiah knew why; see 37:18–19.) Even Samaria was defeated, and they worshipped the same God as Judah. To the field commander, Jehovah was just another god, and Sennacherib did not need to worry about Him.
—Be Comforted, pages 113–14
4. What do you think led the field commander to report as he did to Hezekiah? What fears might have prompted his report? What was the king’s response to the field commander? What lesson is there in this story for us today? What does this teach us about what it means to “live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7)?
From the Commentary
Even though the Lord had brought Assyria to chasten Judah (Isa. 7:17–25), He had determined that Jerusalem would not be taken by the enemy (10:5–34). Previous to the invasion, when Hezekiah had been deathly ill, Isaiah had assured him of deliverance (38:4–6). God’s promises are sure, but God’s people must claim them by faith before God can work. So the king sent word to Isaiah, asking him to pray, and the king himself called out to the Lord for help.
—Be Comforted, pages 114–15
5. What was Isaiah’s response to the king’s request? What was the focus of Hezekiah’s own prayer (see 37:15–20)? How is the way the king and Isaiah responded to the Assyrian invasion an example of how prayer and faith go together?
From the Commentary
The Jewish nation had an important mission to fulfill in bringing the Savior into the world, and no human army could thwart the purposes of Almighty God. Even though only a remnant of Jews might remain, God would use His people to accomplish His divine purposes and fulfill His promise to Abraham that all the world would be blessed through him (Gen. 12:1–3).
—Be Comforted, page 116
6. As you consider this section of Isaiah, what can you conclude about the various players and what they believed about God’s promise to Abraham? Why would some people question that promise in crisis? What does this teach the church today about trusting God when circumstances look dire?
From the Commentary
When the president or prime minister of a country is sick or injured, it affects everything from the stock market to the news coverage. Imagine how the people of Judah reacted when they heard their king was going to die—and Assyria was on the march! If their godly leader died, who would govern them?
But there was even more involved. Apparently, Hezekiah did not have a son and therefore would have to appoint a near relative to take the throne of David. Would God’s promise to David fail (2 Sam. 7:16)? And why would it fail at a time of national calamity?
—Be Comforted, page 118
7. Review Isaiah 38. Why does Isaiah initially tell Hezekiah that he’s going to die? How does God’s decision to give Hezekiah more years speak to the message God wanted to give His people during this time? What does this story teach us about God’s character?
From the Commentary
Hezekiah did not ask God to spare him because he had been such a faithful servant (Isa. 38:3). That would be a subtle form of bribery. Rather, he asked God to spare him so he could continue to serve and complete the spiritual restoration of the nation. Certainly he was concerned about his own life, as any of us would be, but he also had a burden for his people.
—Be Comforted, page 118
8. Why is the reason Hezekiah asks God to spare him important? What does this tell us about Hezekiah? About his commitment to Jehovah? What does this teach us about our own priorities as believers today?
More to Consider: Read Psalm 126. Why do you think some scholars believe that this psalm was written to commemorate Jerusalem’s deliverance from the Assyrian army (as described in Isaiah)? Consider the promise in Isaiah 37:30 and how it compares to Psalm 126:5–6.
From the Commentary
There are some students who feel that Hezekiah was wrong in asking God to spare his life. Three years later, his son Manasseh was born (2 Kings 21:1), and he reigned for fifty-five years, the most wicked king in the entire dynasty! Had Hezekiah died without an heir, this would not have happened. But we have no guarantee that any other successor would have been any better, and Manasseh’s grandson was godly King Josiah, who did much to bring the nation back to the Lord.
—Be Comforted, pages 119–20
9. Considering how God used Hezekiah, why would some scholars still second-guess his request to be spared? Why do believers today tend to second-guess God? What does this tell us about human nature? What does it tell us about how God chooses to enact His plan for the world?
From the Commentary
It was certainly a mistake for Hezekiah to show his visitors all his wealth, but pride made him do it. After a time of severe suffering, sometimes it feels so good just to feel good that we let down our guard and fail to watch and pray. The king was basking in fame and wealth and apparently neglecting his spiritual life. Hezekiah was safer as a sick man in bed than as a healthy man on the throne. Had he consulted first with Isaiah, the king would have avoided blundering as he did.
—Be Comforted, page 120
10. Review Isaiah 39. How is Hezekiah’s decision to show the visitors his wealth evidence of pride? In what ways is it also simply evidence of an unwise decision? Why do power and success often tempt leaders to make poor decisions? How might Isaiah have counseled him if he’d asked before making his own decision? What does this teach us today about the importance of wise counsel?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Isaiah 36—39. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Think about the crises you’ve faced in your life. What role has God played in your handling of these situations? How can trust in God help you get through a crisis?
12. King Hezekiah listened to the counsel of God’s prophet even though it went against conventional wisdom (or the counsel of others). When have you had to choose between conflicting advice when faced with a difficult decision? How do you decide whom to trust? What happens when you make the wrong choice? The right one?
13. In the end of this section, Hezekiah made a decision based on pride. When have you made a similar decision? When has success gone to your head? What are practical ways to assure you don’t let pride take over when you should be humbly trusting God instead?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to discover more about how to handle a current crisis in your life? Be specific. Go back through Isaiah 36—39 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Take a look around at your church and your community. Are there any crises happening right now? Think of specific ways you can help those who are suffering from this crisis. For example, you could arrange a prayer time dedicated to praying for those involved. Or you might be able to volunteer in some way to offer hands-on help, depending on the need. Throughout your experience, spend lots of time in personal prayer, asking God to give you the same sort of clarity and wisdom that Isaiah gave to Hezekiah during his crises.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Isaiah 40—48. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 9, “How Great Thou Art!” in Be Comforted.