The StoryFinding Your Story in God’s Story
“The Beginning of the End”
Series 2 - God Pursues His People
Review Chapter 15
“God’s Messengers”
Israel
Judah
I. Israel’s Exile2 Kings 17
King of Assyria attacked the King of Israel, HosheaHoshea stops tribute and conspires against King of AssyriaAttach on Samaria – Capitol of Israel
This disaster came upon Israel because – 17:7-9
Sinned against GodFollowed practices of pagan nationsBuilt pagan shrines
God warned them – 17:13-15Sent prophets (messengers)They would not listen
God swept them away from his presence – 17:18-23
II. Judah’s Deliverance
2 Kings 18Hezekiah – king of Judah – 18:1-8
Did what was pleasing to the Lord as David had doneSuccessful in everything he didRevolted against king of Assyria
Assyria’s threat – 18:19-20, 28-30, 35
What are you trusting in that makes you so confident?Don’t listen to Hezekiah when he says “the Lord will rescue us”What God has ever been able to save its people from my power?
Hezekiah’s Prayer and God’s reply through the prophet Isaiah – 2 Kings 19
19:1-7Perhaps the Lord has heard the Assyrian king defy the living GodThe Lord says – do not be disturbed by this blasphemous speech from the Assyrian KingI will move against him19:32-34I will defend this city and protect itFor my honor and for the sake of my servant David
Delivered by the Angel of the Lord- 19:35-36Angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers
Hezekiah’s sickness and healing – 2 Kings 20
Isaiah declares Judah’s exile to Babylon 20:12-21Isaiah reveals that the exile of Judah will be temporary
Isaiah 49:23 “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Then the whole human race will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob”
III. Our Own Deliverance
Isaiah 53:3-6 (NLT) 3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.
People with a covenant with GodYet the enemy attempts to destroy, bind, and even exile
Hezekiah – Example of what moves the hand of God
Purity – removal of the idolsHumility – trust in GodFaithfulness – serving single mindedly
Application - If someone were to ask you, “On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” (2 Kings 18:19) what would be your answer?
