Topical Bible: The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Sennacherib

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Topical Encyclopedia

Background:
Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, reigned from 705 to 681 BC. He is most notably recognized in the biblical narrative for his military campaigns against the Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. Sennacherib's invasion is a significant event that demonstrates the anger of God against those who defy Him and threaten His chosen people.

Biblical Account:
The account of Sennacherib's campaign against Judah is detailed in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. Sennacherib, having already conquered the fortified cities of Judah, set his sights on Jerusalem. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, sought the Lord's guidance and strength in the face of this formidable threat.

Sennacherib's Defiance:
Sennacherib's defiance of God is evident in his blasphemous taunts and his reliance on his own military might. He sent messengers to Jerusalem to intimidate Hezekiah and the people, questioning their trust in the Lord and boasting of his previous conquests. In 2 Kings 18:35 , Sennacherib's envoy declares, "Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?"

Hezekiah's Response:
In response to Sennacherib's threats, Hezekiah turned to the Lord in prayer, seeking divine intervention. Hezekiah's prayer is recorded in 2 Kings 19:15-19 , where he acknowledges God's sovereignty and pleads for deliverance so that all kingdoms of the earth may know that the Lord alone is God.

God's Anger and Judgment:
God's anger against Sennacherib is manifested through the prophetic word delivered by Isaiah. In 2 Kings 19:32-34 , the Lord declares that Sennacherib will not enter Jerusalem, nor will he shoot an arrow there. The Lord promises to defend the city for His own sake and for the sake of His servant David.

The culmination of God's anger is demonstrated in the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem. In 2 Kings 19:35 , it is recorded, "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" This divine intervention not only saved Jerusalem but also served as a powerful testament to God's power and judgment against those who oppose Him.

Aftermath:
Following this event, Sennacherib returned to Nineveh in disgrace. His demise is further recorded in 2 Kings 19:37 , where it states, "One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat." This act of patricide fulfilled the prophecy of Sennacherib's downfall and served as a stark reminder of the consequences of defying the living God.

Theological Implications:
The account of Sennacherib exemplifies the anger of God against arrogance and blasphemy. It underscores the belief that God is the ultimate protector of His people and that His power surpasses all earthly might. The narrative serves as a warning to those who challenge God's authority and a reassurance to the faithful that God is ever-present and capable of delivering His people from seemingly insurmountable threats.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 19:28,35,37
Because your rage against me and your tumult is come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.
Torrey's Topical Textbook