2 Chronicles 32:20–33

Read the passage.

The Assyrians thought the Lord was just like any other regional god they had encountered before, but He displayed His power by wiping out the whole army that besieged Jerusalem. King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah led the people to rely upon the Lord for their protection, trusting in His promises. Without his main army to continue the campaign, Sennacherib returns home, where his own sons strike him down. In the ruins of Ninevah, the capital city of the Assyrian Empire, in modern-day Iraq, archaeologists have found Sennacherib’s palace. As was common practice, Sennacherib’s accomplishments were engraved in the walls and on monuments set up there. They include the names of several fortified cities of Judah, such as Lachish, but Jerusalem is conspicuously absent.

The news of this miraculous defeat spreads very quickly as the Assyrian Empire was a terrifying superpower up to this time. Other nations bring gifts in tribute to the Lord and to Hezekiah. We aren’t told specifically that this was the reason for Hezekiah’s pride, or that his deadly sickness was a consequence of some kind from the Lord. There is some evidence that the incident with the Babylonian envoys happened before the Assyrians attacked Judah. Regardless of the real order of events and the details therein, the point the Chronicler wishes his readers to take away is that Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem were once proud, but they humbled themselves before the Lord. In response to this, the Lord bestowed blessings on the king and on the people. “Very great riches” (v. 27) were amassed, and many good deeds were done. Let us be humble before our God, and glorify Him through the blessings we receive.

Help us not to be proud, because all of our accomplishments come from Your hand too.