Day By Day - Isaiah 37
By Tom Mitchell
Opening Thoughts:
This chapter sees Judah’s enemies trying to intimidate them with their prideful accusations, arrogance and by casting fear over the inhabitants of Judah. We also see Hezekiah’s example of what to do when we are overwhelmed - we are to stand strong on the Word of God when experiencing hard times. Finally, we see the results of God’s continued protection over His people. There is so much in this chapter. Again, I encourage you to explore it further, however, today I want to highlight several of the main points that spoke to me in Chapter 37.
Point 1
Isaiah 37:1 says:
"And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, (that is the bad news which the messengers brought back from meeting with the Assyrians) that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD."
When Hezekiah hears this bad news, he immediately goes into mourning. He tears his regular clothes from himself and puts on sackcloth, the garment of mourning.
This term refers to the ancient Hebrew custom of indicating humility before God by wearing a coarse cloth, normally used to make sacks, and dusting oneself with ashes. This was a reaction by Hezekiah that symbolised his grief, repentance and remorse. The nation was to repent and the king was to lead the way.
Point 2
The second part of verse 1 says, "and Hezekiah went into the house of the LORD."
Hezekiah was a man of God and he knew that with such aggression and looming attacks from the Assyrians there was only one course of action on Judah’s part; that was to go to their source of strength - to the House of the Lord, to pray and seek God’s direction and help in their very time of need. There was no time for consulting or procrastinating. It was a time for decisive action. It was time for them to lean on God.
During our own challenging times, do we render our clothes and heap ashes over ourselves and then go to God in prayer? Or is it the last thing we tend to do? God is calling all of us to make Him our first place to go to in our times of need and comfort. Deuteronomy 31:6 says:
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Just as Hezekiah went into the house of the Lord to pray and to draw his strength from God Himself, so too are we able to draw from that very same strength.
Point 3
Isaiah 37:17 says:
"Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God."
Hezekiah realises that his only hope is in God. In the physical sense, Hezekiah cannot win. He reminds God that this Sennacherib is not only threatening him but God as well. He is actually ridiculing the God of Hezekiah.
The second half of Chapter 37 deals with the effects of those who go against God. In this instance, it is about the demise of Sennacherib himself. It details what can and will happen to those who believe that they are better and above God.
It is a reminder to us all that there is only one true God. It is also a stark reminder of what can happen if we put ourselves on a pedestal about God.
Final Thoughts:
When we are being attacked from fear and intimidation, there is only one place for us to go and that is to go the House of the Lord. It is a time for us to pray and seek His guidance and help. Through our humble prayers, we can and will see God conquer our enemies.
Opening Thoughts:
This chapter sees Judah’s enemies trying to intimidate them with their prideful accusations, arrogance and by casting fear over the inhabitants of Judah. We also see Hezekiah’s example of what to do when we are overwhelmed - we are to stand strong on the Word of God when experiencing hard times. Finally, we see the results of God’s continued protection over His people. There is so much in this chapter. Again, I encourage you to explore it further, however, today I want to highlight several of the main points that spoke to me in Chapter 37.
Point 1
Isaiah 37:1 says:
"And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, (that is the bad news which the messengers brought back from meeting with the Assyrians) that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD."
When Hezekiah hears this bad news, he immediately goes into mourning. He tears his regular clothes from himself and puts on sackcloth, the garment of mourning.
This term refers to the ancient Hebrew custom of indicating humility before God by wearing a coarse cloth, normally used to make sacks, and dusting oneself with ashes. This was a reaction by Hezekiah that symbolised his grief, repentance and remorse. The nation was to repent and the king was to lead the way.
Point 2
The second part of verse 1 says, "and Hezekiah went into the house of the LORD."
Hezekiah was a man of God and he knew that with such aggression and looming attacks from the Assyrians there was only one course of action on Judah’s part; that was to go to their source of strength - to the House of the Lord, to pray and seek God’s direction and help in their very time of need. There was no time for consulting or procrastinating. It was a time for decisive action. It was time for them to lean on God.
During our own challenging times, do we render our clothes and heap ashes over ourselves and then go to God in prayer? Or is it the last thing we tend to do? God is calling all of us to make Him our first place to go to in our times of need and comfort. Deuteronomy 31:6 says:
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Just as Hezekiah went into the house of the Lord to pray and to draw his strength from God Himself, so too are we able to draw from that very same strength.
Point 3
Isaiah 37:17 says:
"Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God."
Hezekiah realises that his only hope is in God. In the physical sense, Hezekiah cannot win. He reminds God that this Sennacherib is not only threatening him but God as well. He is actually ridiculing the God of Hezekiah.
The second half of Chapter 37 deals with the effects of those who go against God. In this instance, it is about the demise of Sennacherib himself. It details what can and will happen to those who believe that they are better and above God.
It is a reminder to us all that there is only one true God. It is also a stark reminder of what can happen if we put ourselves on a pedestal about God.
Final Thoughts:
When we are being attacked from fear and intimidation, there is only one place for us to go and that is to go the House of the Lord. It is a time for us to pray and seek His guidance and help. Through our humble prayers, we can and will see God conquer our enemies.
Posted in Isaiah