185,000 soldiers failed to defeat this angel - one of the greatest stories in the Bible

have you heard about that epic battle that changed the course of history a tale of unwavering Faith a stunning turnaround and a surprising Victory picture a swift turnaround where an army seemingly Invincible was defeated in a single night sounds controversial doesn't it but believe me it's true get ready for a counterintuitive statement that challenges everything you thought you knew intrigued then don't waste any time come find out how a king's strong belief led to divine intervention and stick around till the end because together we'll say a prayer don't forget to like And subscribe to the channel so you don't miss any details of this incredible story in the vast record of Sacred Scriptures emerges a narrative that transcends time revealing Divine interventions in the paths of its people this story is like a beacon Illuminating the hearts of Believers Through the Ages and within its Pages we find the account of King hezekia and his battles against a myriad of adversities Hezekiah at his core was a stark contrast to his father a monarch whose name invoked fear and disgrace during his Reign Hezekiah was graced with an uncommon distinction he stood out for doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord a rare quality in those turbulent days just like his predecessor David he stood firm in virtue even in the face of the most arduous trials in the third year of the reign of hosia son of Eli over Israel Hezekiah son of ahaz ascended to the throne of Judah he was only 25 years old when he assumed governance and over 29 years he ruled with wisdom and Justice in the city of Jerusalem his mother abijah daughter of Zechariah witnessed the birth and rise of a leader destined to make history Hezekiah did not stray from the ways of the Lord on the contrary he followed in the footsteps of David seeking to please the most high in all his actions as one of the few righteous Kings of those tumultuous times he undertook a mission of spiritual purification throughout the land of Judah profane altars were demolished Idols were smashed and Pagan places of worship were reduced to dust even the ancient bronze serpent an artifact revered since the days of Moses known as nushan was dismantled by the king's order symbolizing his rejection of idolatry and his commitment to true worship among the ancient records in the Book of Numbers 20: 8 and 9 we find a Divine command directed to Moses the Lord instructed Moses to craft a representation of a venomous Serpent and raise it on a pole those bitten by serpents who looked upon this image would live Moses obeyed fashioning the bronze Serpent and lifting it upon the pole this image once a symbol of Salvation eventually became a source of idolatry a sad Distortion of its original purpose however Hezekiah stood out as an exceptional leader distinct from the other kings of Judah for his steadfast obedience to Divine Commandments in his Reign he undertook a vigorous campaign to eradicate all forms of pagan worship profane altars were demolished sacred images were shattered and Idols were reduced to Rubble even the bronze serpent revered by many as an object of worship was destroyed under his leadership putting an end to the practice of burning incense before it ezekia placed his trust and devotion in the god of Israel standing out as an example of unwavering Faith no other king of Judah before or after Hezekiah achieved such distinction in a period marked by infidelity and Corruption he Shone as a beacon of righteousness and devotion leaving a legacy that would echo through the centuries amidst reading about the numerous deviations and atrocities committed by other monarchs of Israel and Judah Hezekiah stands out as a notable exception a ruler whose heart remained faithful to the Lord even amidst the storms of History Hezekiah like a breath of fresh air and a Barren land flourished under Divine Guidance the Lord was with him in all his Endeavors and wherever he went he prospered this truth shines forth in the pages of the book of Kings 18: 6 to 16 where his journey is meticulously recorded King Hezekiah did did not bow to the threats of the mighty he challenged the king of Syria refusing to serve him and emerging victorious in his battles against the Philistines from the solitary watchtowers to the Towering fortified cities he extended his influence and dominion over the land however the challenges did not cease in the fourth year of hezekia Reign and the seventh year of hosa's Reign Over Israel shanzer the king of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it for three long years years finally the city fell and its inhabitants were taken into Exile in Assyria and other lands as punishment for their Disobedience to the Commandments of the Lord the Divine voice was ignored the Covenant broken and the consequences were severe amidst these tumults Hezekiah faced further trials when sakb King of Assyria Advanced against the Fortified cities of Judah except for Jerusalem all other cities were conquered by the invading Army the nation was under siege its fortresses falling one after another before the Unstoppable advance of the enemy in an act of desperation and pragmatism Hezekiah king of Judah sent a message to the king of Assyria in lakish acknowledging his mistake and pleading for him to withdraw the king of Assyria in turn imposed a heavy tribute of 300 talents of silver and 30 talents of gold on hezekia H seeking to meet the demands of the Conqueror hezekia handed over all available money including the treasury of the Lord's Temple and the resources of the Royal Palace he went as far as stripping the temple doors of their gold overlay in a desperate attempt to appease the Wrath of the Invader however hezekiah's efforts were in vain sakb the Assyrian King Advanced mercilessly conquering all the Fortified cities of Judah except Jerusalem Hezekiah confronted with the terrible reality of his situation recognized that his strategy had failed he admitted his failure before sarib and offered a ransom to spare his people from the fate of Israel but the demand was exorbitant and hezekia emptied the coffers of Judah sending all the available gold and silver including the spoils from the sacred Temple however despite his efforts tragedy was about to descend upon his kingdom the Divine Siege was imminent and events were heading towards an even darker outcome the Assyrians surrounding Jerusalem sought not only to test hezekiah's Faith but also to demonstrate their own overwhelming power before the people of Judah perhaps they were content with their Conquest thus far or perhaps they were eager for a pretext to complete their domination over Jerusalem and Judah the Assyrian King determined in his intentions sent a delegation accompanied by a vast Army to demand the surrender of the city thus The Tartan the rabaris and the rabake the high officials of the king of Assyria arrived at the walls of Jerusalem stopping by the upper pool on the road to The Potter's field there they called for the king who in turn sent eliakim son of hilaya in charge of the Royal Palace accompanied by shebna the secretary and joah Son of Assaf the recorder to meet them the Assyrian delegation led by the Rob Shake questioned eia's emissaries with a mixture of sarcasm and challenge in whom do you trust he asked scoffing at the words of Hope uttered by the representatives of Judah to him they were mere empty words while strength and war council clearly lay on the side of the Assyrian King challenging EZ's emissaries sarb's Royal spokesman questioned their trust and loyalty why have you rebelled against me he inquired challenging the Integrity of the people of Judah with sarcasm he pointed to Egypt as a feeble and ineffective source of help comparing it to a crushed Reed staff ready to pierce those who trust in it the pharaoh of Egypt according to him was like that staff unable to protect those who put their trust in him but Rising before the Assyrian arrogance the spokesman offered an alternative to trust in the Lord the god of Israel in whom ezas had placed his faith he reminded judah's emissaries that it was this God who instructed ezas to remove the altars and Pagan shrines establishing Jerusalem as the sole legitimate place of worship offering a tempting bargain the spokesman proposed an agreement if Judas surrendered sarb would Grant 2,000 horses he then questioned judah's ability to resist pointing to the supposed fragility of Egyptian alliances and to intensify the pressure he invoked the words of the Lord himself claiming that it was God who ordered the destruction of Judah this approach although grounded in apparent logic sought to undermine hezekiah's confidence and his peoples cast ing doubts on their ability to resist the Assyrian Invasion the spokesman relied on his rhetorical persuasion to open the Gates of Jerusalem to Conquest but he underestimated hezekiah's unwavering faith in the Lord and the determination of the people of Judah to resist foreign oppression sakib's spokesman was convinced that the people of Judah had provoked the wrath of their God by destroying the places of worship defying The Forbidden practices although it was evident that Hezekiah was right in his actions even the king's supporters might have questioned his decision in the face of imminent threat in his persuasive argumentation the Assyrian spokesman also highlighted the weakness of judah's army emphasizing hezekiah's efforts to pay tribute to Syria as proof of the Kingdom's vulnerability this analysis uncomfortably accurate echoed in the minds of judah's citizens fueling their concerns and uncertainties finally the spokesman boldly asserted that the Lord himself had commanded sarb to attack and destroy the land of Judah it was a blatant lie but for the demoralized people of Jerusalem it could seem convincing after all their Northern neighbors had succumbed to Syria and now the same cruel conquerors were at their Gates faced with this Grim Outlook hezekiah's emissaries requested that the spokesman communicate with them in Aramaic the Syrian language as they understood it thus avoiding communication in Hebrew before the walls of Jerusalem however the spokesman refused persisting in his intimidating approach showing inflexibility in his demands and threats the Assyrian spokesman addressed not only hezekiah's emissaries but also the men at top the walls those destined to endure The Siege and extreme privations during the assault with calculated cruelty he proclaimed that during The Siege they would be reduced to misery forced to eat their own feces and drink their own urine a brutal threat aimed at instilling fear and despair in response the RAB Shake standing up with a loud voice in Hebrew proclaimed the words of the great king of Assyria warning them not to be deceived by Hezekiah he asserted that the king of Judah would not have the power to deliver them from the hands of the Assyrian army and exhorted them not to trust in the promise that the Lord would deliver them and that Jerusalem would not be delivered into the hands of the the king of Assyria the request of judah's emissaries for negotiations to be conducted in Aramaic instead of Hebrew aimed to protect the listeners at top the walls from the Assyrian threats however the Assyrian spokesman was determined to spread fear ignoring the plee in escalating his repugnant threats he warned the people of Judah not to place their trust in Hezekiah nor to believe in his promises that the Lord would appear to save them faced with these provocations and threats the question remains AED how long would the people of Judah continue to trust their King and their God in the face of the imminent Assyrian threat The Siege was about to test not only the walls of Jerusalem but also the faith and resilience of its people the speech of Senate cherb spokesman recorded in the book of Kings 18: 30-32 was directed not only to the leaders of Judah but to the people as a whole he offered a tempting vision of peace and prosperity in exch change for their surrender the promise was simple if they submitted they could enjoy the fruits of their own Vineyards and fig trees drink from the Waters of their own wells in a land like theirs full of grain new wine olive trees and honey these words could sound appealing to the people of Jerusalem on the brink of the imminent Siege facing the prospect of famine and isolation the offer of peace and abundance contrasted with the threat of suffering and scarcity could could easily tip the scales in favor of surrender furthermore the Assyrians categorically stated the deportation to a land similar to theirs was included in the agreement they promised a Land of Plenty with all the luxuries that the people of Judah could desire it was an irresistible Temptation amid the imminent adversity however like many Temptations this offer was rooted in falsehood and deception just as Satan tempts Believers with tempting offers sin never fulfills its promises the people of Judah faced a crucial choice to trust in Hezekiah and the Lord or to succumb to the empty and seductive Promises of the Assyrians the response would determine the fate of Jerusalem and its people the speech of the Assyrian spokesman reached its climax with a series of six rhetorical questions all pointing to the same conclusion none of the Gods of the Nations had rescued their followers from the hands of the king of Assyria where were the gods of hamath arpad sepharim Hanah and Eva who could not save Samaria from the Assyrian clutches no deity had been able to Halt the advance of the Assyrian Empire faced with this Relentless reality why would the Lord rescue Jerusalem from the hands of sarb the people of Judah remained silent in the face of these challenging questions obeying the king's order not to respond to the Assyrian spokesman however restlessness and anguish prevailed among them hezekiah's emissaries with their torn garments as a sign of Despair hurried to report to the king the contents of the frightening speech Hezekiah upon hearing the devastating words of the Assyrian spokesman tore his clothes in a sign of lamentation and despair he covered himself with sackcloth a symbol of repentance and supplication in the face of adversity in a heavy-hearted state he went to the Temple of the Lord in search of guidance and Solace the Assyrian threat loomed over Jerusalem like a shadow and the King felt the crushing weight of responsibility on his shoulders faced with the anguish that engulfed him hezekia did not hesitate to seek Divine guidance he sent a delegation to the house of the Lord led by shebna the steward of his house and accompanied by The Scribe and the Elders of the priests all dressed in sackcloth as a sign of mourning and repentance they approached the prophet Isaiah son of Amos seeking counsel and intercession upon meeting Isaiah they expressed the magnitude of the crisis they faced they told him that it was a day of distress punishment and humiliation comparing the situation to the pain of childbirth where there was no strength to save the children they implored Isaiah to pray to the Lord on behalf of the remnant of the people of Judah who were still in the land when Hezekiah heard the delegation's report he joined in the lamentation of his men and tore his clothes as a sign of sorrow and despair he must have questioned how such a terrible turn of events had occurred after all he had been obedient to God renewed Worship in Judah and followed the Lord's instructions previously he had thrived through Divine Providence however in that moment of Crisis God seemed silent and distant this story serves as a powerful reminder that faithfulness to God does not always exempt us from life's trials and challenges even when we diligently follow the ways of the lord we may face times of distress and despair in these dark hours we should fervently seek the presence and guidance of God trusting in his sovereignty and his power to sustain us through trials adversity is not an exemption from life for those who follow God on the contrary it becomes a means by which we are prepared to face trials living with a Divine perspective allows us to better deal with the problems and sufferings that arise in our path trusting in God in difficult times just as in the good times strengthens us and empowers us to face challenges with courage and Faith moreover it gives us the opportunity to witness God's work in our lives despite his distress King Hezekiah sought the Temple of the Lord to worship he did not allow his Affliction to drive him away from God's presence furthermore he took an unusual stance for a leader of his time he sent a delegation dressed in sackcloth to seek a word from the Lord through the prophet Isaiah they explained judah's dire situation and cried out to God for intervention through his Prophet informing that the Assyrian leader had come to mock the Living God when hezekiah's servants went to Isaiah the prophet conveyed to them a comforting message from the Lord he told them not to fear because of the threats they heard for God would act in their favor the Lord promised to put a spirit in the Assyrian leader to hear a rumor and return to his own land furthermore God declared that he would cause the Assyrian leader to Fall by The Sword in his own land God In His Infinite Wisdom was already aware of everything that was happening as a result he gave a comforting message to ezekia servants starting with the command do not be afraid this command is recurrent in the Bible and reflects God's way of calming his people instilling confidence in them and assuring them that he is in control it is a statement that they can trust him for he has everything under control the Lord not only heard the Blasphemous words of the Assyrian King's spokesman but also planned how to respond to them instead of allowing Jerusalem to be defeated God decreed that king sarib would return to his own land and die by the sword as recorded in the book of Kings 18: 8 to13 when King sakb learned that the king of Ethiopia was moving against him he sent Messengers again to Hezekiah with a challenging message he ordered Hezekiah not to be deceived by his God in whom he trusted saying that Jerusalem would not be delivered into the hands of the Assyrian king sakb tried to instill fear and uncertainty in hezekia by mentioning the conquest that he and other Assyrian Kings had achieved by destroying other lands Sak's Royal spokesman continued his attempt to intimidate hezekia and the inhabitants of Jerusalem he offered a supposed guarantee that if hezekia surrendered they would be spared he challenged hezekiah's trust in God mentioning the gods of the Nations that his ancestors had destroyed implying that those Gods had not been able to save their followers the spokesman listed several cities and peoples that had been defeated by the Assyrians emphasizing the apparent powerlessness of the local gods in the face of Assyrian might meanwhile sakb was probably camped near the walls of Jerusalem awaiting a response from Hezekiah upon learning that the king had withdrawn his army from lakish and was fighting in libna about 25 Mi Southwest of Jerusalem sakb had to temporarily divert his attention the news that tiaka king of kush Was preparing to fight against him also contributed to this shift in Focus however sakb made sure to reiterate his threats of return making it clear that that he had not given up on his Conquest plans Hezekiah received the letter from The Messengers and read it carefully then he went up to the house of the Lord and laid the letter before the Lord Hezekiah prayed to the god of Israel who is enthroned above the cherim acknowledging the supremacy and unique power of God he presented his pleas before the Lord seeking his guidance and divine intervention in the face of the Assyrian threat man but the creator of Heaven and Earth Hezekiah bowed down before the Lord recognizing his sovereignty over all the kingdoms of the earth he pleaded with the Lord to hear his words of mockery sent by sarib to blaspheme against the Living God Hezekiah recalled how the kings of Assyria had devastated Nations and destroyed their Idols which were mere Works made by human hands without power or life he acknowledged that only the Lord was truly God and capable of delivering his people from the hands of the enemy Hezekiah cried out to the Lord to act in their favor not only for the safety of Judah but so that all the kingdoms of the Earth would recognize that only the Lord is God upon reading sarb's letter Hezekiah did not give in to despair or fear instead he took the letter to the temple and laid it before God In Prayer Hezekiah recognized the Lord's position as the god of Israel enthroned among the cherubim he demonstrated his humility and total confidence in the Lord by presenting his request before him Hezekiah trusted that the Lord would hear his plea and act in accordance with his Sovereign will Ezekiel plunged in distress found himself confronted with a challenging letter from senb the king of Assyria the Blasphemous message was a direct attack on the faith and character of God the king of Judah feeling cornered by the threats turned to prayer as his Refuge he not only cried out for protection but also reminded God of his greatness and power Ezekiel acknowledged that by acting on behalf of his people God would receive all the glory this posture of trust and submission before the most high serves as a model for those facing tribulations Isaiah the prophet brought a comforting Divine response affirming that God had heard ezekiel's supplications the Lord declared his sovereignty over the Arrogant intents of sakib the Virgin Daughter of Zion personifying Jerusalem mocked the Assyrian King showing the trust in God would triumph over human arrogance this episode highlights the importance of faith and prayer in times of adversity showing that God is the guardian of those who trust in him sarib full of arrogance and confidence in his own strength proclaimed his intentions of conquest and destruction with haughty words he boasted of his Ambitions to dig wells in foreign lands and to dry up the rivers of Egypt however God God the Lord of Israel intervened with a resounding response through Isaiah he revealed that he had planned from ancient times and was executing his plan at that moment using senak carb as an instrument of his will the king of Assyria would be used to reduce fortified cities to heaps of ruins thus humiliating their inhabitants God deeply knew the movements and intentions of sarib and would not allow his boundless arrogance and fury to continue without consequences he promised to entangle the Assyrian King like a fish on a hook and lead him back to his country this Divine response not only reassured Ezekiel and his people but also showed God's Sovereign power over the Kings and nations of the Earth sarb in his arrogance did not understand that his conquests were part of a divine plan predestined by God he saw himself as a mighty ruler capable of subduing Nations but he was completely unaware that he was just an instrument in the hands of the most high every move and thought of sakb were under God's scrutiny who had the power to pull the Reigns of the Assyrian King and direct him according to his will the message from God brought comfort and hope to the people of Judah in the midst of imminent threat despite the difficulties they would face in the coming years the Lord promised that there would be provision and security he guaranteed that even during periods of famine and despair there would be enough food to survive furthermore God assured that a remnant of the people of Judah would remain steadfast rooted in the land and bearing fruit This Promise was a sign of the Lord's Zeal and care for his chosen ones these Divine words were a bomb for Hezekiah and his people offering them Comfort amidst uncertainty and despair they found Hope in God's promises trusting that he would fulfill his word and protect them from imminent dangers the reign of Jesus Christ the Divine protection over Jerusalem was unshakable no invading Army would be able to penetrate its walls or launch any attack against the city God assured that sakb would not succeed in his evil plans he would be defeated and forced to return by the same path he came this promise was a demonstration of God's commitment to his people and his faithfulness to his promises he would not only protect Jerusalem out of self-love but also because of his servant David whose Royal lineage was still under his protection the Lord was determined to preserve Jerusalem as part of his Redemptive plan for Humanity these words of encouragement and security strengthened the faith of Hezekiah and the people of Judah they found comfort in the promise of divine protection and in the knowledge that God was acting in their favor this certainty gave them hope and courage to face the challenges that lay ahead the outcome of the narrative was Swift and dramatic that same night the angel of the Lord went went out and struck down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp at dawn the survivors found their comrades Dead all of them sarib king of Assyria was forced to return to Nineveh where later he met his own ruin while worshiping in his Temple his own Sons murdered him fleeing to the land of Ararat his son SAR hadam took the throne in his place just as Goliath the Philistine had challenged the Lord sakb had mocked Divine protection only to meet a tragic end the story of Hezekiah and the defeat of the Assyrians is a powerful demonstration of divine intervention on behalf of his people it shows how faith and trust in God can bring victory over the greatest enemies these events highlight the importance of obedience and trust in God even in the most difficult circumstances let's pray dear God at this moment we want to express our gratitude for allowing us to know this incredible story of Faith and Victory we thank you for showing us that even in the face of adversity we can trust in you and your plans for us thank you for reminding us that just as you protected Hezekiah and his people you are also with us in our daily battles help us to cultivate a faith as strong as his so that we may face challenges with courage and confidence may this story Inspire us to never give up even when circumstances seem impossible and may we always recognize your power and goodness in all our victories now Lord bless each person who watched this video fill their hearts with hope and strengthen their faith in Jesus name amen

Channel: Light Of The Gospel

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Id: BGg8l3xt6II

Length: 28min 45sec (1725 seconds)

Published: Wed Jun 12 2024