2 Kings 19:16

“Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.”

This verse is part of a prayer of King Hezekiah of Judah when he received a threatening letter from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. The Assyrians had already conquered many cities and were now threatening Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. Hezekiah’s response was to turn to God in prayer, seeking His help and protection.

Here are some key points we can derive from this verse:

Seeking God’s attention:Hezekiah begins his prayer by asking the Lord to bow down His ear and hear his plea. This shows his recognition that God is attentive to the prayers of His people and has the ability to hear and respond.

Acknowledging God’s power:Hezekiah asks the Lord to open His eyes and see the situation. This is not a literal request for God to open His eyes, as God is omniscient and already aware of everything. Rather, it is an expression of Hezekiah’s faith in God’s power and his desire for God to intervene on their behalf.

Recognising the enemy’s reproach:Hezekiah mentions that Sennacherib has sent someone to reproach the living God. The Assyrian king and his officials had been mocking and blaspheming God, boasting about their conquests and claiming that no god could save Judah from their hands. Hezekiah brings this reproach to God’s attention, seeking His vindication.

Overall, this verse highlights Hezekiah’s trust in God’s ability to hear, see, and respond to the threats against His people. It demonstrates the importance of turning to God in times of trouble and seeking His intervention.

As we continue reading the subsequent verses (2 Kings 19:17-19), we see that God does indeed respond to Hezekiah’s prayer. Through the prophet Isaiah, God reassures Hezekiah that He will protect Jerusalem and defeat the Assyrian army. This incident serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His willingness to deliver His people when they put their trust in Him.