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April 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 117

You'll find today's reading probably are easier to read than some of what we've read lately.  These chapters outline a few stories of Hezekiah and Isaiah.  You'll probably feel like you've read some of it before.
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DAILY READINGS

Isaiah 36-38 & Psalm 117

DAILY NOTES

Isaiah 36

  • The Assyrian king takes captive cities of Judah and sets his eyes on Jerusalem.  This could be a fulfillment of what was spoken in Isaiah 7:16-17.
  • Rabshakeh is a title, not just a name.  He is the commanding officer.
  • Interestingly, the Rabshakeh says the same thing God would say.  The Lord didn't want Israel to join with Egypt because they would trust them more than they would trust God.  
  • The Rabshakeh tries to intimidate the soldiers by speaking their language, but they have already been instructed not to answer anything.
Isaiah 37
  • Hezekiah turns to Isaiah so that he would "lift up a prayer for the remnant that is left."
  • Isaiah assures him that God is still controlling this situation.  God will bring confusion, by way of rumor, to Assyria.
    • It works, and, afterwards, Assyria sends a letter to Hezekiah with a new threat.
    • Hezekiah responds with prayer.
Isaiah 38
  • We've read about Hezekiah's illness in 2 Kings 20.
Psalm 117
  • A psalm of worship.
  • It's 2 verses--you can memorize that!

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

First, the Rabshakeh ridiculed Hezekiah's alliance with Egypt.  We've already suggested that God would probably agree with him, although for different reasons.  Assyria didn't want Israel to trust Egypt so that they would fear Assyria.  God didn't want Israel to trust Egypt so that Israel would trust God.  

What Assyria didn't realize, however, was that they were being used by God.  They were full of themselves.  How do we know?  They then turn their words against God.  Whoops.  Bad idea.  

What a great reminder.  For all that God has spoken against Israel, for all that the people have done against God, God responds to Hezekiah's prayer.  Our past can be full of things we're not proud of.  How many times have we turned from God?  Yet, when we turn to God in prayer, God hears us.  

So, don't ever think you're too far from God to pray to God.  

Stay blessed...john


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