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Hezekiah Prays

(Isaiah 37.14-20)

14 After Hezekiah had read the note from the king of Assyria, he took it to the temple and spread it out for the Lord to see. 15 (A) He prayed:

Lord God of Israel, your throne is above the winged creatures.[a] You created the heavens and the earth, and you alone rule the kingdoms of this world. 16 But just look how Sennacherib has insulted you, the living God.

17 It is true, our Lord, that Assyrian kings have turned nations into deserts. 18 They destroyed the idols of wood and stone that the people of those nations had made and worshiped. 19 But you are our Lord and our God! We ask you to keep us safe from the Assyrian king. Then everyone in every kingdom on earth will know that you are the only God.

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Footnotes

  1. 19.15 winged creatures: Two winged creatures made of gold were on the top of the sacred chest and were symbols of the Lord's throne on earth (see Exodus 25.18; 2 Samuel 6.2).

Hezekiah’s Prayer(A)

14 Hezekiah received the letter(B) from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim,(C) you alone(D) are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear,(E) Lord, and hear;(F) open your eyes,(G) Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

17 “It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods(H) but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.(I) 19 Now, Lord our God, deliver(J) us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms(K) of the earth may know(L) that you alone, Lord, are God.”

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