2 Kings 19:1-7: a reflection

1When King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the LORD’s house. 2He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3They said to him, “Hezekiah says, ‘Today is a day of trouble, of rebuke, and of rejection; for the children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them. 4It may be the LORD your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’” 5So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master this: ‘The LORD says, “Don’t be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear news, and will return to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”’”

When the Assyrian field commander hurls threats and blasphemies against Jerusalem and its God, King Hezekiah takes the crisis to the LORD, tearing his clothes and going to the temple, and sending to the prophet Isaiah for a word. And God's answer, through Isaiah, is reassuring: Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. God tells Hezekiah not to fear the intimidating threats, and takes the enemy's blasphemy as an offense against himself, promising to deal with the boastful king.

Notice God's word to the frightened king: do not be afraid of the words you have heard. The threats had been terrifying, the taunts designed to intimidate and demoralize. But God tells Hezekiah not to fear them, for God himself would handle the one who made them. And notice that God takes the blasphemy personally: with which they have blasphemed me. The enemy's defiance was ultimately against God, and God would answer it.

That is a comforting word when we face intimidating threats and taunts. There are voices that threaten, intimidate, and try to demoralize us, words designed to make us afraid. God's word to Hezekiah is his word to us: do not be afraid of the words you have heard. When the threats are ultimately against God and his people, he takes them as his own concern and will deal with them. Do not let intimidating words paralyze you with fear. Take them, as Hezekiah did, to God, and hear his reassurance: do not be afraid. The God who answered the Assyrian's blasphemy is able to handle whatever threatens you; entrust the frightening words to him, and do not fear.

Lord, when the Assyrian hurled terrifying threats and blasphemies, Hezekiah took them to you, and you answered, do not be afraid of the words you have heard, taking the blasphemy as against yourself and promising to handle it. When I face intimidating threats and taunts, words designed to make me afraid, speak that same word to me: do not be afraid. Help me take the frightening words to you, as Hezekiah did, rather than letting them paralyze me. When what threatens me is ultimately against you and your people, you take it as your own concern and will deal with it. Help me not to fear intimidating words, but to entrust them to you, the God who answered the Assyrian's blasphemy and is able to handle whatever threatens me. Quiet my fear, and let me trust you.