Tuesday, June 23
We are watching our society fall apart. Much of the world is on “lock down” as a virus-protection strategy. Economic foundations are shaking, and large crowds are gathering in the streets to express discontent with social conditions. At the same time the Church seems to be fading out of the picture.
What a time in history for God to make a dramatic “power play.” If we follow the course of salvation history, we will conclude that this is not very likely. God seems more interested in smaller projects.
Today we read about a moment in which God did make a power play. In the context of the story, however, he reminded Israel that this is not his usual manner of behavior.
The mighty nation of Assyria was consuming one territory after another. Next on their list was the tiny kingdom of Judah. They would be a pushover…so they thought (2 Kings 19:11-36).
“Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent envoys to Hezekiah, king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God on whom you rely deceive you by saying Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria’…Hezekiah took the letter…and went up to the temple of the Lord…and he prayed.”
After spreading out Sennacherib’s letter before God, Hezekiah prayed:
“Therefore, O Lord, our God, save us from the power of this man, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”
God heard the prayer of this holy king and sent the prophet Isaiah to report God’s answer concerning the king of Assyria.
“He shall not reach the city, nor shoot an arrow at it, nor come before it with a shield, nor cast up siege-works against it…I will shield and save this city for my own sake, and for the sake of my servant David”
“That night the angel of the Lord went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. So Sennacherib…broke camp and went back home.”
I guess Sennacherib learned his lesson! Don’t mess with the God of Judah! Israel did not shoot one arrow, and “185,000” Assyrian soldiers went down. What a power play on God’s part!
In the course of his prophecy, Isaiah talked about God’s long-term plans.
“For out of Jerusalem shall come a remnant, and from Mount Zion survivors.”
God’s victory over Assyria and the reign of the holy king Hezekiah was a temporary measure. Before long corrupt kings took over, the people sank deep into sin, and Jerusalem was destroyed. God’s long term plan was not to preserve the holy city but to bring out a small “remnant” from the city. From this holy remnant would emerge a lowly couple, Joseph and Mary, who would have a small baby on a forsaken hillside of Bethlehem. This small baby would become the Savior, not just of Israel, but the world.
God’s focus is on the insignificant remnant. In the midst of the rise and fall of kingdoms, he works steadily with a faithful remnant of people who dedicate themselves to live in accord with his will. Though the remnant is the beginning of a great work of God, the long-term results will be seen in later generations—just as happened with Abraham, Isaiah, and Jesus.
We can get caught up in the world of political movements or we can content ourselves with being his “remnant” for our time. The world thinks in terms of “power plays,” God thinks differently. During these upsetting time, let us aspire to be God’s faithful remnant.
“O God, we ponder your mercy…” (Ps 48:3).
