Assyrian King Sennacherib was arrogant. His field commander, Rabshakeh, was no less haughty about the competence and military strength of Assyria. Sennacherib destroyed the kingdoms of Hamath, Arpad, and Samaria. The gods like Gozan, Haran, or Sepharvaim could not save their devotees or nation from the hand of Sennacherib. Hence, Assyrians spoke: Has any god delivered from the Assyrian king Sennacherib? (Isaiah 36:18)
Hezekiah and Isaiah: King Hezekiah trusted in God in the midst of threats, harassment, and propaganda war. He sought the help of Isaiah so that the prophet could intercede for the nation.
Promise: God promised victory to Hezekiah and the death of Sennacherib. The king not only exalted himself above the gods, but also insulted Jehovah, God of heaven and earth, worshipped by the Israelites. God promised that he would go back by rumour and would be killed by his sons.
Deliverance: God sent his angel and killed 185000 Assyrian soldiers. (Isaiah 37:36) God miraculously delivered Jerusalem, not because the Israelites were holy, righteous, and deserved it. But to teach Sennacherib that Jehovah, the God of Israel, is the God of Heaven and Earth.
Death: Sennacherib was a worshipper of false gods, who were no gods. When he was worshipping his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him. (Isaiah 37:38) He thought his god would deliver him from all other gods of nations, and he had the arrogance to speak against the living God. Ironically, he was killed while worshipping his god by his own sons.
Arrogance: Sinners are always arrogant. The power that they enjoy is used to oppress others. When others suffer, humiliated and ridiculed, they get immense joy. Arrogant sadists take pride in inflicting pain on others. They are not satisfied with what they have attained but seek more. Sennacherib was not content with his accomplishments, expanded domain, wealth, and political power over many nations; he desired more. That desire was the cause of his death and destruction. Even sidekicks like Rabshakeh were also equally arrogant.
Do I understand God’s Sovereign authority and obedience to Him?