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Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (3 of 10)

Focus Text: 2 Kings 19.1-4

“And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it [the threatening message from the king of Assyria], that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. Then he 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. And they said to him, ‘Thus says Hezekiah: “This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth. It may be that the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach 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.”’” (2 Kings 19.1-4).

Isaiah as a prophet was known for his ability to “gain God’s ear” in prayer. It was this reputation that drove Hezekiah to him during threatening times. Isaiah believed in the power of prayer and was willing to stake his reputation and his very life on the power of prayer. Isaiah knew that God listened to His people and that He honored those who honored Him. It was this fact that prompted Hezekiah to send for Isaiah and it was this fact that prompted Isaiah to write, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword’; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 1.18-20).

Concerning prayer, Isaiah knew that the “secret” of prayer was not so much in the words that were said as it was in the attitude of the one who petitioned God. That’s why he would say, “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59.1-2). That is also why a recurring theme of Isaiah was to call for his countrymen to humble themselves and turn in repentance to Jehovah. Isaiah knew that God hears us when we turn penitently to Him and petition Him in accordance with His Divine will.

Consider one of Isaiah’s prayers: “O LORD, be gracious to us; We have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, Our salvation also in the time of trouble. At the noise of the tumult the people shall flee; When You lift Yourself up, the nations shall be scattered; And Your plunder shall be gathered Like the gathering of the caterpillar; As the running to and fro of locusts, He shall run upon them. The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.” (Isaiah 33.2-6).

Never did a mere man preach or pray like Isaiah; he knew God’s heart and God knew his! When you and I go before God, we should strive to go as Isaiah did, self and sin aside!

Questions:

1. Who or what was “the Rabshakeh”?

2. What did being “willing and obedient” have to do with forgiveness (see Isaiah 1.18-20)?

3. According to Isaiah 59.1-2, why does God sometimes not hear us?

4. How is it that “the fear of the LORD is His treasure”?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One