Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-20
DIR. MARION Mob. HULL.

DIR. MARION MoH. HULL.
One of the strangest things 1 nthe sa-
cred record is found in Chron S2;l.
After these things-Sennacherib came.
If Hezekiah had been unfaithful like
his father Ahaz was, we could easily see
how such a scorge as Sennacherib might
have been sent. But for Sannacherib to
come after the revival about which we
studied last week is one of the strang
est providences, and which the wording
cannot understand. AS matter OF fact
it was a kindness to him, for otherwise
his pride might have occasioned MS
downfall, like it did Uzziah. The dis
tress which followed the invasion of
Sennacherfb made him realize that his
dependence was upon God only, lnd kept
him humble and close of God
SARGON AND SENNACHER1B.
| wonder if we can appreciate Heze-
kiahs position at the time of this ex-
perience. Sargon was the father or Sen
nacherib and was one of the most ruth
less and victorious conquerors. Assyria
had developed into the most powerful
nation of the world. They had had
series of unbroken successes. Sargon
had captured Samaria, Judah's northern
I
menia, parts of Egypt and Ethiopia, Cy-
prus and host of smaller states. The
last six years of his reign his son Sem
nacherib had been co-regent, and had
been acting as commandments OF
| his armies. Under his leadership, Tyre.
Sidon, Elan, Ashdod, Lachish and Lib
nah were captured Amongst other
things which have been discovered was
the celebrated Taylor sixsided cylinder
on which are recorded the eight cam
paigns which he made. Describing the
one against Hezekiah (the subject for
our lesson today he says that he cap
tured 46 of his strong cities and took
captive 200,150 persons besides mules,
asses, camels, and oxen, and sheep with
out number. "Hezekiah himself, 1 shut
up like a bird in cage in Jerusalem, his
royal city" To show something of his
magnficence and wealth, among the 9TH
err things that have been unearthed from
his palace which covered eight acres,
was crystal throne; and also alabas-
ter plate.
HEZEKIAH's MISTAKE AND ITS RECTIFICA-
TION.
Suppose that you had been in Hezekiahs place,
this powerful nation advancing against you,
having captured all the ma tons around you, and
having taken much OF your own territory
that only a portion was left, not large
the city of Atlanta, would you have consid-
cred ii wise policy to pay an indemnity to
{
! II looked like the wise think to do, Hezekiah
paid the indemnity. The Taylor cylinder says
that it was so talents of gold and 500 talents
of silver (which amounts TO S2,4I0, 0O0OO), be-
sides carbuncles and many other precious stones.
a couch of ivory, an elephant hide, and elephant
tusks. The amount was so large that Hezekiah
had TO take some Of the gold from the doors of
the temple of God in order to pay it,
Now this a mistake. There Is way
which seemeth right unto a man. but the end
thereof to ways of death" That Hezekiah
ought to have done was what he did after
wards. for he soon realized that having paid
this he would have to pay more he refused
and rCbelled against the authority of the As
syrian king. At this time Sennacherib was
busy in the siege of Lachisa and he sent
| the RaGshekah, his prime minister, to Jerusa-
| lem to make n demand for unconditional
render. lie met by the premier. the chief
secretary and the chief scribe Of judah TO re-
Ceive his request. This particular
pretty shrewd. He able to speak both the
| Syrian and the Jewish language; in fact he
spoke the latter so well that some have Thought
/ that he a renegade Jew. This is hardly
probable, however There had been a party in
| Judah who wanted the king to make alliance
with Egypt. Isaiah had spoken against this.
! He urged them to trust only in God. and Heze-
/ kiah had adopted the policy as he advised. The
Rabshekah ridiculed their suggestion to trust
/ in Egypt, because he was nothing more nor
/ less than bruised reed. He then claimed that
! Hezekiah could hope for nothing from Jehovah,
I for he had taken away all his affairs and had
place. In this he showed his ignorance Of the
Jewish mode of worship. And then he said
/ besides. 'JenOvan sent US TO take tn1S city.
/ The three officers who had been sent TO treat
! with him afraid that such talk might
! have a Lad effect on the people, ana so they
/ suggested that he speak in the Aramaic Ian
Cuage which they understood and not in the
! Jewish language: but the Rabshek1h not
considerate of their feelings. He advanced
/ little nearer and in a, louder tone spoke to the
people themselves, trying to discredit Hezekiah.
| and asking them why they would die Of famine
| md thirst when they might have plenty il they
would but surrender. And then he became
most blatant in his appeal to them, comparing
Jehovah with the gods Of the nations around.
! and showing them that since these gods had not
/ been able TO stand against his gOd-whO was
Jehovah that He could?
The people showed n remarkable spirit. Heze
kiah had told them not TO say npythiDgs and
| the Rabshekah's appeal was met by dead ST.
| lence. Crestfalen. he awaited the answer of
/ the committee, as they carried his demands to
! the king. Hezekiah in sackcloth went to the
| temple TO pray the matter through; and these
men also in sackclOth. by his direction, went to
| Isaiah to ask him 10 pray that the remnant
| might be saved. And Hczekiah and Isaiah
prayed to God. lsaiah's message came back
stating, BE not afraid. He shall hear tidings.
| He shall return to his own land, and shall be
! killed ny the sword in his own land Cha
grinPd by such reply, the Rabshekah returned
! to Sennacherib to find that the victory over
| Iachish had been accomplished and that he
! had gone on to Iibna. Busy with this seige,
! Scnnacherib could not return In person to Je-
| rusalem. he sent letter to Hezekiah, de
handing his unconditional surrender, and bias
! pheming God Jehovah in whom Hezekah
! trusted could not prevent his onward march.
Hezekiah went into the temple again and laid
| the letter before the Lord silent paryer to
Cod a prayer in action. and then he voiced
| his desires in a prayer which showed that he
| knew God. that he knew how to pray, that 1t
was not an occasional impulse. because he
! sought Gods glory. And God heard the prayer.
Isaiah brought the answer Of scorn, Of con
tempt and an answer which explained that
| SennaCherih did rot recognize that II was only
through Gods power he had been able to be as