And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God." Now, O LORD our GodThis phrase begins with an immediate and direct appeal to God, emphasizing the urgency and personal relationship between the speaker, King Hezekiah, and the LORD. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and covenant faithfulness. The use of "our God" underscores a communal relationship, indicating that Hezekiah is not only speaking for himself but for the people of Judah, acknowledging their collective dependence on God. save us from his hand
The plea for salvation is central to this verse. The Hebrew word for "save" is "yasha," which conveys deliverance and victory. The "hand" symbolizes power and control, referring to the Assyrian king Sennacherib's threatening military force. Historically, the Assyrian Empire was a dominant power, known for its military prowess and conquests. Hezekiah's request is for divine intervention against a seemingly insurmountable enemy, highlighting the belief that God is mightier than any earthly power. so that all the kingdoms of the earth
This phrase expands the scope of the request beyond personal or national deliverance to a global testimony. The mention of "all the kingdoms of the earth" reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where nations often attributed victories to their gods. Hezekiah's prayer is not just for survival but for a demonstration of God's supremacy to the entire world, emphasizing the universal recognition of God's sovereignty. may know that You alone, O LORD, are God
The ultimate purpose of the plea is revealed here: the acknowledgment of God's unique divinity. The Hebrew word for "know" is "yada," which implies an intimate, experiential understanding. The phrase "You alone" stresses monotheism, a core tenet of the Israelite faith, distinguishing the LORD from the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding nations. This declaration is a profound theological statement affirming that the LORD is the one true God, deserving of exclusive worship and reverence. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah who is praying for deliverance from the Assyrian threat. He is a central figure in this chapter, demonstrating faith and reliance on God. 2. SennacheribThe king of Assyria, who has invaded Judah and is threatening Jerusalem. His arrogance and blasphemy against God set the stage for divine intervention. 3. JerusalemThe city under siege by the Assyrian army. It represents the focal point of God's deliverance and protection. 4. IsaiahThe prophet who delivers God's message to Hezekiah, assuring him of God's intervention. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who is called upon to demonstrate His power and sovereignty over all nations. Teaching Points Faith in CrisisHezekiah's prayer is a model of turning to God in times of dire need. When faced with overwhelming circumstances, believers are encouraged to seek God's intervention. God's SovereigntyThe prayer highlights God's ultimate authority over all nations. Believers can trust that God is in control, even when worldly powers seem dominant. Purpose of DeliveranceHezekiah's request is not just for personal or national safety but for God's glory to be known among the nations. Our prayers should align with God's greater purpose. Prayer as a TestimonyThe act of praying publicly or in community can serve as a testimony to others of our reliance on God and His power to save. God's Unique IdentityThe declaration that God alone is Lord emphasizes the exclusivity of worship and allegiance to Him. Believers are reminded to keep God as the sole object of their worship. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat challenge us to respond to our own crises today? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our prayers align with God's purpose of making His name known among the nations? 3. How does the account of Hezekiah and Sennacherib encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty over world events? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate our belief that God alone is Lord in our daily lives? 5. How can the themes of deliverance and God's glory in Isaiah 37:20 be connected to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 19This chapter parallels Isaiah 37, providing a historical account of the same events, emphasizing God's deliverance. Psalm 46This psalm reflects themes of God's protection and sovereignty, similar to Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance. Exodus 9:16God's purpose in demonstrating His power to the nations is echoed in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, similar to the deliverance from Assyria. Daniel 3:29The acknowledgment of God's sovereignty by a foreign king, paralleling the desired outcome of Hezekiah's prayer. Romans 15:9The theme of God's name being proclaimed among the nations, as Hezekiah desires in his prayer. People Adrammelech, Amoz, Assyrians, David, Eliakim, Esarhaddon, Haran, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Sharezer, Shebna, TirhakahPlaces Ararat, Arpad, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Gozan, Hamath, Haran, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Libnah, Mount Zion, Nineveh, Rezeph, Sepharvaim, Telassar, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZionTopics Alone, Clear, Deliver, Kingdoms, O, Salvation, Save, ThyselfDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 37:20 5029 knowledge, of God
6634 deliverance Isaiah 37:14-20 5292 defence, divine
8031 trust, importance
8611 prayer, for others Library Where to Carry Troubles
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.'--ISAIAH xxxvii. 14. When Hezekiah heard the threatenings of Sennacherib's servants, he rent his clothes and went into the house of the Lord, and sent to Isaiah entreating his prayers. When he received the menacing letter, his faith was greater, having been heartened by Isaiah's assurances. So he then himself appealed to Jehovah, spreading …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Triumph of Faith
'And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15. And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16. O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth. 17. Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open Thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations, …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was Ready to Die. He Attempts to Kill Himself. He Commands Antipater to be Slain.
1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and Salvation for Us.
1. Christ not only the minister, but also the author and prince of salvation. Divine grace not obscured by this mode of expression. The merit of Christ not opposed to the mercy of God, but depends upon it. 2. The compatibility of the two proved by various passages of Scripture. 3. Christ by his obedience truly merited divine grace for us. 4. This grace obtained by the shedding of Christ's blood, and his obedience even unto death. 5. In this way he paid our ransom. 6. The presumptuous manner in which …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Concerning the Lord's Supper
There are two passages which treat in the clearest manner of this subject, and at which we shall look,--the statements in the Gospels respecting the Lord's Supper, and the words of Paul. (1 Cor. xi.) Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree that Christ gave the whole sacrament to all His disciples; and that Paul taught both parts of it is so certain, that no one has yet been shameless enough to assert the contrary. Add to this, that according to the relation of Matthew, Christ did not say concerning the bread, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 37:20 NIVIsaiah 37:20 NLTIsaiah 37:20 ESVIsaiah 37:20 NASBIsaiah 37:20 KJV
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