Author: Scott Walter

There is much to unpack in Isaiah 37, but today, we will focus on verses 14-20 where we read about Hezekiah’s prayer for deliverance. 

Hezekiah receives a letter from the King of the Assyrians telling him and his people not to trust in God for deliverance and promising that Judah will be defeated. What does Hezekiah do with this news? He marches up to the “house of the Lord” and “spread[s] it before the Lord.” Hezekiah’s faith in this moment is an example to us of how we should operate. He could have just ripped the letter up, laughed it off, or even tried to reason with himself about how it couldn’t be true. 

Instead, Hezekiah immediately takes it to the Lord and lays it at His feet. He doesn’t try to fight on his own strength, but rather invites the Lord, the only one powerful enough to bring victory, into his battle. Hezekiah gives us a real-life example of 1 Peter 5:7, which calls us to cast our cares upon the Lord because he cares for us. What a wonderful picture Hezekiah gives us of what it looks like to practically do this. This is a reminder for us to take everything–our worries, fears, hurts, hang-ups, sin struggles, doubts, and anything else you can think of–and “spread it before the Lord.”

This all sounds great, but how do we know that the Lord is actually capable of carrying these burdens we cast at his feet? Let’s look at the following verses of Hezekiah’s prayer to the Lord. Here, Hezekiah describes some great and awesome characteristics of the Lord. He is the “Lord of Hosts.” This is sometimes translated as the “Lord of Armies.” Hezekiah is engaged in a military battle, and this name is proof that the Lord can physically and practically come to Judah’s aid. His power infinitely exceeds that of the armies of the earth. He is the “God of Israel.” He is a covenant God; He will not forget the promises He has made to His people. He is “enthroned above the cherubim.” This reflects the majesty of God. His greatness and goodness will triumph. He alone is God (v. 16). What a simple but profound description of the Lord. Him and all the false gods of the Assyrians and of the surrounding nations aren’t even in the same league. He alone is God, and that empowers Hezekiah with confidence to take his cares before Him because He alone can hold them. 

Lastly, we are reminded that he “made the heavens and the earth.” He created this world we live in! That certainly makes Him capable of handling any problems that we face in it! Let’s follow Hezekiah’s lead and spread what is weighing us down before the Lord- the one who is big enough, powerful enough, and loving enough to hold it.

Still celebrating the victorious defeat of fortified cities in Judah, the Assyrian field commander arrives at Jerusalem to threaten and mock the faithful beliefs of God’s people. He speaks directly to the people’s anxiety assuring them hope will not come from their Lord. He speaks to their longings for security, profanes the Lord, and claims the king of Assyria is their only hope.

He calls out, “On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” (Isaiah 36:4). 

The world asks us this question every day. The enemy feeds us lies from all directions, aiming to soften the truths we know of God, His character, and His intentions for us. Original sin came from temptation by the tongue of the enemy who fed lies to soften the truths God told Adam and Eve. The adversary of God’s faithful people seeks to do it here in Isaiah 36. Our enemy seeks to do it to us every day!

A common sequence of life is 1) we face hardship, 2) we doubt, 3) we pray, 4) we pursue, 5) God exceeds our expectations. We can remove much of the pain of this sequence by memorizing and dwelling on the qualities and care of the God who delivers us. How we spend our time and what we think about matters. 

We can focus on what is wrong or worrisome, or we can spend time dwelling on how God has been good to us personally. What if we thought about what we take for granted, for provision so constant we never worry about it? What if we wrote down everything God provides without us even asking and looked at that list every day? What if we began a list of all the things that are good in our lives and remember “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…” (James 1:17). What if we gave thanks for these gifts every day? Growing in gratefulness has never made a person’s life worse. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Reading Isaiah 35, you will likely pick up on the much more joyful and hopeful tone in this chapter compared to the previous chapter. Whereas the previous chapter speaks of the earth being turned into a desolate desert, now we see it transformed into a garden. What was once barren and hopeless is now lush and full of hope. This is a reminder to us that, even though we may not know exactly how or when, God will ultimately restore the world back to its intended state. Since the fall in Genesis 3, God has been reconciling and restoring the world. 

There is a phrase that sticks out towards the end of this chapter: “The Way of Holiness”. Re-read what it says in verse 8:

And a highway will be there;
    it will be called the Way of Holiness;
    it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
    wicked fools will not go about on it.

The first fulfillment of this prophecy, some scholars believe, was in a more literal sense as the Jews returned home from captivity in Babylon and Persia. This passage also has more broad implications for us today, too. If you believe the truth found in John 14:6 that Jesus is the Way, the truth, and the life, then we’re called to walk the highway of holiness, too. This chapter makes it clear that this highway is reserved for those who pursue holiness. Because of God’s grace, His righteousness has been imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). While we could never earn this righteousness on our own, we do get to receive it and pursue holiness in the way that God has called us to. 

The final verse in this chapter gives us a glimpse into the joy that those walking along this highway will experience. Isaiah says that “gladness and joy will overtake them” (v. 10). In the same way Isaiah’s original audience would have joyfully exited captivity on their way home, we will eventually enter God’s Kingdom in the same joyful way. Even on days that feel bleak, this passage serves as a reminder that God’s Kingdom will be so much better than we could ever imagine. As you go about your day today, be thankful for that reminder and truth. 

Jesus is coming back. We must be ready. Throughout all of Scripture, every single prophecy that is foretold of Jesus comes true. From the largest and broadest prophecies (Jesus will have a sinless life and a miraculous ministry) to the most specific (Jesus will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver), every single prophecy is fulfilled. The fact is, when God says something is going to happen, it is guaranteed to happen.

If we believe this to be true, why do we not apply this same belief to the promises of coming judgment on all nations? In Isaiah 34, we see the description of a gruesome, bloody war in which the Lord carries a sword. On this day of judgment, no earthly being will be able to escape. But do we truly believe this will happen to us? Maybe even during our lifetime? 

Think of those doomsday movies that have become popularized. Picture a large asteroid coming to destroy the earth. When people are told the asteroid is coming, what do they do? They run and hide! They try to protect and save others! They tell everyone! They live differently than they would if there was an asteroid coming to destroy the earth. Imagine how unloving it would be if the person who found out about the impending doom decided he “didn’t want to force his beliefs on someone else,” or, “was going to live differently but not use words to tell people about the doom coming.”

The reality is this; we’ve been told judgment is coming. It is not a question of if but when. From beginning to end, Scripture promises the return of Jesus. And every single person will be judged solely based on if their lives have been covered by the blood of Jesus or not. Nothing the world values will matter any more: wealth, job titles, vacation houses, test scores, and athletics. Even good things we’ve done won’t matter. Nothing will matter except for what Jesus already did on the cross for us.

The fact is, we all are either destined for heaven or hell right now: your family, your co-workers, your classmates, the person in line in front of you, and the person who cut you off while driving. Every single person you come in contact with today will stand before God judged solely on if they have placed their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus or not.

If we truly love others, then the most unloving thing we could possibly do is not tell the world of the judgment that is to come and the only way to be saved from this judgment. It is simply the best news you can share. You do not need to be the best communicator and theologian. You simply need to be a willing servant of Christ. Tell someone. Tell everyone. Jesus is coming, and all will be judged; fortunately for us, the judge offers a way out, serving the sentence for those who put their trust in Him.

In this chapter (and repeatedly throughout the book of Isaiah), we observe a key theme: hope. Hope in God. Hope in Heaven. Hope in justice. Hope in grace. 

We know that Judah is under attack from Assyria, and Judah has not yet sought the help of God. Instead, they have looked to themselves and to the Egyptians. However, as we have read, these “weapons” are no match for God’s power. This battle required more than what they had within themselves. God dwells on high. He is stable. He is wise. He is a sure foundation. He is mighty (v. 5-6). He is the One who will deliver and can deliver, and He is on their team. 

Because of their independent efforts, the people and the land suffered (v. 7-9). They were miserable. Fighting the battle on their own wasn’t working; they needed someone mightier than themselves. And though they forgot Him, God is gracious to remember them. He doesn’t want to leave them in their suffering. God will fight on their behalf and deliver His people from the Assyrians. He will bring judgment on the people and will bless His righteous ones.

Our world is distressed. We cry aloud in the streets. We lack respect for one another. The land is wasting away. Justice is incomplete. We are sick and hurting. We are just like the lost people here, trying to fix it on our own. And rather than begging Him to intervene, we often forget God. This chapter is pivotal because it speaks to the hope of what it means to have God in our hearts and on our team. Not only do we have hope for a glorious future with our King, but we have hope in the present, because God is currently intervening for us (Galatians 2:20). We are not more powerful than He is. We cannot do it on our own.     

He will save us. He will forgive us of our iniquity, He will fight for us, and we will dwell in His marvelous Kingdom forever.

Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. He is the Good News. Because of His sacrifice on the cross, our sins are forgiven, and we can have an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father. The promise of a coming Messiah can be found throughout Old Testament scriptures. 

The prophet Isaiah describes the Messiah in detail, with Isaiah 32 revealing aspects of Jesus’s reign on earth. Although the prophet Isaiah may have been speaking about the reign of Hezekiah, a king who did “what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 31:20), it is believed that Isaiah’s words point to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. 

Isaiah foretells of a king who reigns in righteousness. Jesus is that king of righteousness, and His followers are the princes who rule with justice. Jesus coming as the Messiah provides us shelter from the storm (Isaiah 4:6) and a spiritual awakening. It is through our trust in Jesus that when we look, we see; when we listen, we hear. The blessings He brings are plentiful, including a changed heart. Inviting Jesus into our lives and becoming a Christ-follower frees us from the consequences of sin, making us grow in righteousness because of the king of righteousness Himself. 

Isaiah calls the people to prepare for the righteous king by repenting and being ready to trust in Him. He commands the people to turn from their inward, selfish focus and look instead outward to the coming Messiah. It is through the Messiah that the Spirit of God will “pour upon His people from high.” Through God’s outpouring of love and goodness, He gave His only son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place. And we stay forever and always connected to God with the Holy Spirit living in us. What a gift of grace and mercy from a loving Father. A Father who through His Son makes beauty and peace, justice and righteousness. 

We have the assurance of life everlasting when we put our faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit: three in one. The Messiah gives us life eternal. 

This chapter echoes a similar message to the previous one. It was foolish for Judah to put their trust in the Egyptian army instead of the Lord for protection. They thought maybe if they could get some military alliances, they would have a chance to stand against the Assyrian army. The Assyrian empire was the world superpower of the time. Israel had already been overrun by the Assyrians and they were threatening to do the same thing to Judah.

Judah was looking to find security in anything other than the Lord. They thought this alliance with Egypt was wisdom, but it ended up being foolish. First Corinthians tells us that the “wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s sight” (1 Corinthians 3:19). Judah was idolizing the Egyptians, who were “men, not God ” and their horses that were “flesh and not spirit” (v. 3). They were finding their confidence in the creation and not in the Creator. Creation is no match for God’s power. 

Psalm 20:7 says that “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Judah was putting their trust in chariots, relying on horses, and the strength of a military alliance. We too, can put our trust in the things of this world. We often tend to rely on our own strength in times of trouble instead of seeking the Lord who is our “refuge and our strength” (Psalm 46:1). God can be our last resort when we are facing trials instead of our first.

The chapter closes with a promise that Assyria will fall, but “not by human sword” (v. 8). This promise might have seemed unimaginable to the Jews, but it was fulfilled exactly. In Isaiah 37, God sent an angel of the Lord and killed 185,000 Assyrians overnight. This had nothing to do with the “sword of man” but only by the power and the strength of God. The people rose up in pride, and God quickly humbled them. He is not terrified by the shouts of His enemies or subdued by their nose (v. 4). God cannot be humbled by any man or by any army, but He willingly chose to humble himself through Christ by taking the form of a servant and dying on a cross. The Lord cannot be humbled, but His Kingdom is as humble as death. 

Throughout the book of Isaiah we see a contrast of judgment and hope. That same pattern emerges in this chapter. Isaiah 28 is the first chapter in a new section (chapters 28-39) on the rise and fall of Jerusalem. The next six chapters are referred to often as the six woes (or laments). The first woe here is to the leaders of the Northern Kingdom and Judah. These leaders are both political and religious but look nothing like the representatives God is calling them to be.

Verse one begins to paint a clear picture of the character of the leaders of Ephraim, once admired now known as drunkards, repeated often in this chapter. Hosea 7:5 also refers to these leaders by their drunkenness. Throughout the verses that follow the Northern political leaders and Judah’s religious leaders are described as prideful, scoffers, liars, mocking, and refusing to listen to God. They were feeling pressure from Assyria, one of their enemies, so instead of trusting in God they seek foreign alliances for their security. Isaiah prophesies that this will result in their downfall.

While their future judgment seems inevitable, Isaiah still offers contrast through our God of hope. Israel’s reputation is fading, but God is described as a “glorious crown”, “spirit of justice”, and “source of strength” (v. 5-6). Despite their mocking, Isaiah tells them the Lord is providing a precious cornerstone and foundation who can always be relied on through justice and righteousness (v. 16-17). This prophecy was thought to be a reference to the temple but was ultimately pointing to Jesus. First Peter 2:6 also refers to Jesus as the cornerstone. With all of this in mind, Isaiah calls them to repent and turn back to God (v. 23-29). For He is a God who teaches and instructs, even in our sin. He is a God of mercy, even when we too seek our own way. 

The lesson of Isaiah 28 is that when we feel the pressures of life closing in, we can trust in the precious cornerstone and firm foundation God has provided in Jesus, instead of trusting in merely what we think is best. For His “plan is wonderful and wisdom is magnificent” (v. 29).