A Hook and a Bit

O. T. #864 "A Hook and a Bit"
Nov. 7, 2016
2 Kings 19-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

A hook is still used to hang up the dead cow at the processing plant so they can cut it up. A bit is used to make a horse go where the rider wants. These two items are used for a purpose to be accomplished. God was going to use such things on the king of Assyria (figuratively speaking).

Prophet Isaiah reassured King Hezekiah with words from the Lord God to not be afraid of the king of Assyria and his threats. Their enemies had blasphemed the Living God of Judah so He would take care of the situation. Hezekiah went to the Temple and spread the letter before the Sovereign Lord God boldly praying, though not flippantly:

• He proclaimed God as the God of Israel, the God alone over all the kingdoms, and Creator of heaven and earth.
• He asked God to listen closely and see that Sennacherib had sent words to mock the living God.
• Hezekiah acknowledges that the kings of Assyria had devastated other nations, and even thrown their wooden and stone gods into the fire, destroying them.
• He asked the Lord God to save Judah from the hand of King Sennacherib that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God-You alone. (verse 19)

Are we proclaiming that the Lord God is the only True Living God? He is God Alone, no other. Jesus is the only way to God and He loves us. Jesus took our place so we do not have to pay for our sins. He paid our sin debt. Such love! Glory to God! Hallelujah!! Let us proclaim His salvation today.

LET IT GROW

God answered King Hezekiah's prayer through Prophet Isaiah in verses 21-34:

• God reassured Hezekiah that He heard his prayer about Sennacherib king of Assyria. (v. 20)
• Jerusalem, the virgin daughter, had not been violated or conquered since the days of David. She shook her head in a gesture of decision (Ps. 22:7).
• Sennacherib had not mocked or reviled Jerusalem o Hezekiah, but the Holy One of Israel. (v. 22)
• In verses 23-24, we read of the metaphors to depict the boastings of easy victories and successful achievements of Sennacherib.
• God did it, not this pagan king. God alone allowed or caused such things. (v. 25)
• It was God who ordained the fall of nations by Assyria, not their strength or the other nations' weaknesses. (v. 26)
• God knew every movement, rage, blasphemy, tumult, and arrogance of Sennacherib of Assyria. (v. 27-28)
• Look at verse 28-I will put my hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will make you go the way you came.  (Sennacherib was planning to lead the Jews shamefully back to Assyria, instead he would be he one to return shamefully, led by the God he had reviled.)
• Verses 29-31 refer to the remnant and their crops.
• Proof that Assyria would not harm Jerusalem-not so much as 1 arrow would be shot in the city. God would defend this city, His city. (v. 32-34)

What happened?
The angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians that very night. (v.35)
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, returned to Nineveh, just as God had said he would. Then, 20 years later, he was killed by his own 2 sons, while worshiping his god. (v. 36-37)

Life Application Study Bible explains:

The Assyrians treated captives with cruelty. They tortured prisoners for entertainment by blinding them, cutting them, or pulling off strips of their skin until they died. If the Assyrians wished to make a captive a slave, hey would often put a hook in his nose. God was saying that the Assyrians would be treated the way they had treated others.

Does it take a hook in our nose or a bit in our mouth that gets us where God wants us to be?
God can rebuild a nation with only a spark of faith, rekindling the fire. Will we be the spark?


LET IT GO

Proclaim God as the only True Living God to be worshiped.

Trust God to keep His Word. He is faithful forever.

Pray for our nation.