NOTES for Ki2 19:9-11

Hezekiah’s prayer in today’s Old Testament reading is a fine illustration of the theme “Faith and Realism.” Hezekiah understands perfectly well that Israel has no chance of defeating Assyria. But that is from a human point of view. The Lord, however, lies beyond the customary bounds, and if it pleases Him, He can do something that exceeds our understanding. Hezekiah says that, in his view, this is precisely a situation in which the Lord should intervene, because His own honor is at stake. The Lord responds not to Sennacherib’s challenge, but to Hezekiah’s prayer. For Israel’s sake, He gives yet another testimony to His power and love: once again He saves His people from a danger with which they could never have coped by themselves.